Wednesday, November 19th, 2008
Article Insider   Real People ... Sharing Real Knowledge
HOME ABOUT US CONTACT US NEWSLETTER ADVERTISE
Concrete Countertops

Featured Article

Concrete Grinding

by Adam Blau

In order to render concrete into a surface that is usable for kitchen countertops and other interior elements, it is necessary to grind its surface down to a fine degree of smoothness and polish. Unground concrete would likely be unappealing to most people for a kitchen countertop. Its feel would be rough and its edges would likely be jagged and potentially even dangerous.

To grind the surface of concrete, contractors usually use a series of diamond-tipped tools. The diamond tips move at high speeds and grind down the surface to a workable smoothness. This step is usually performed after the concrete has been shaped and molded to a customer's specifications.

There are usually several stages of grinding and polishing, depending on the desired degree of shine and smoothness. Like with sandpaper, contractors will frequently use a more rough grinder to begin a job, then graduate to a finer grinder to work the outermost surface to an appropriate luster. After this, the concrete is usually sealed to protect against the elements.

Why Grind Concrete?

Concrete is ground for several reasons. First of all, it allows the surface to become a usable, smooth surface in the home. Second, it can protect the inner, more porous layers of concrete. Third, concrete is simply more aesthetically pleasing once it has been ground to a fine shine and luster.


Consider Yourself an Expert?



Get all Kitchen articles via RSS/ XML Feed
corner v. 5.0164 © 2002 - 2008 Article Insider. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy corner