Refinishing Commercial Floors With Polished Concrete

The Problem

A commercial property owner in Downtown Toronto needed to modernize their office space. The existing flooring was outdated, with stained carpet that trapped dust and required constant professional cleaning. The client wanted a flooring solution that was not only hypoallergenic and easy to maintain but also carried the modern “industrial chic” aesthetic popular in Toronto’s design district.

Our Professional Assessment

We lifted a section of the carpet and inspected the underlying slab. While the concrete was structurally sound, it was covered in old mastic adhesive and had several surface cracks. We determined that the slab was a perfect candidate for concrete polishing, provided we performed the necessary surface preparation and densification to ensure a hard-wearing finish.

The Solution We Recommended

We recommended a full Diamond Polishing System. Unlike a simple coating that can peel off, mechanical polishing physically refines the concrete surface itself. We proposed a multi-step grind, a chemical hardener (densifier) to increase impact resistance, and a custom stain to add warmth to the grey tones. This solution offers distinct sustainability and durability benefits ideal for high-traffic commercial zones.

The Work Performed

• Surface Prep: Used coarse-grit metal-bond diamonds to grind away old carpet glue and level the floor.
• Repair: Filled cracks and divots with a color-matched epoxy filler for a seamless look.
• Densifying: Applied a lithium silicate densifier to chemically harden the concrete surface, making it dust-proof.
• Honing & Polishing: Progressively switched to finer resin-bond diamond pads (up to 800 grit) to achieve a satin sheen.
• Stain & Seal: Applied a subtle custom stain followed by a penetrating guard sealer to protect against spills.

The Results

• Modern Aesthetic: transformed a dull office into a bright, reflective, modern workspace.
• Low Maintenance: The floor now requires only simple mopping, no waxing or stripping needed.
• Durability: The densified surface is resistant to scratches from office chairs and foot traffic.
• Cost-Effective: Eliminated the need for future flooring replacement cycles.

Want to upgrade your commercial space? Contact IcyReno today for a polished concrete quote.