Why would I polish concrete instead of coat it with a high quality sealer or epoxy?
Depending on the specific uses of a floor, coatings may be a better finish in the long-run. Polished concrete is a treatment to make the concrete surface more abrasion and stain resistant. However, it should never be confused with a coating in that it is still prone to staining and etching if exposed to oil or acids; even mild acids like soda or orange juice will etch polished concrete. Polished concrete can be used on projects that need to withstand foot and/or wheeled traffic, will be washed regularly, not intended to resist stains and not intended to handle acid attack. If the preceding criteria are met, then a polished concrete surface is the perfect choice for long term durability and beauty. Typical applications include airplane hangars, schools, manufacturing businesses, distribution warehouses, parking structures, retail locations, airports, convention halls and residential slabs.
