At Superfloor Australia, we’ve seen a growing trend in homeowners and businesses wanting to extend their living spaces outdoors. Polished concrete floors outdoors offer a stunning and durable solution for patios, pool decks, and outdoor entertainment areas.
Creating these eye-catching surfaces requires specialised knowledge and techniques. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential steps to achieve beautiful, long-lasting polished concrete floors for your outdoor spaces.
What Concrete Mix Works Best for Outdoor Polishing?
At Superfloor Australia, we’ve observed a growing trend in extending living spaces outdoors. Polished concrete floors offer a stunning and durable solution for patios, pool decks, and outdoor entertainment areas. The right concrete mix is essential for creating beautiful, long-lasting polished concrete floors in outdoor spaces.
Concrete Strength for Outdoor Use
For outdoor applications, we recommend concrete with a minimum compressive strength of 32 MPa (megapascals). This strength is ideal for areas with frequent vehicle traffic or heavy machinery, making it suitable for outdoor, industrial, or marine environments. Higher strength concrete provides even better durability for areas with extreme conditions or heavy use.
Aggregate Selection Matters
The type and size of aggregate in your concrete mix significantly affect both durability and aesthetics. For outdoor polished concrete, a mix of fine and coarse aggregates works well. The right colour, aggregate exposure, and finish are crucial factors to consider when choosing the perfect polished concrete for your outdoor space.
Weather-Resistant Additives
To enhance the concrete’s resistance to outdoor elements, specific additives should be incorporated into the mix:
- Silica fume: Increases density and reduces permeability, making the concrete more resistant to water penetration and freeze-thaw cycles.
- Air-entraining admixtures: Create tiny air bubbles in the concrete, allowing it to better withstand freezing temperatures without cracking.
- Titanium dioxide: Helps maintain the concrete’s colour and contributes to its self-cleaning properties, keeping outdoor floors looking fresh for longer (especially useful in areas prone to high UV exposure).
Importance of Professional Installation
While choosing the right concrete mix is essential, proper installation is equally important. Every step of the process, from mix selection to final polishing, must be carried out with precision to deliver stunning and long-lasting outdoor polished concrete floors.
The next step in creating beautiful outdoor polished concrete floors involves proper surface preparation and grinding techniques. These processes are critical for achieving the desired finish and ensuring the longevity of your polished concrete surface.
How to Prepare and Grind Concrete for Outdoor Polishing
Assessing Your Concrete Surface
Before you start any work, you must thoroughly evaluate the existing concrete surface. Look for cracks, spalling, or other damage that needs repair. Check for any previous sealers or coatings that you must remove. The Australian Standard AS 1884-2021 provides guidelines for assessing concrete sub-floors, which can help in this process.
Cleaning and Repairing the Surface
After you assess the surface, clean and repair it. Use a high-pressure washer to remove dirt, grime, and loose particles. For stubborn stains, you may need a concrete degreaser. Proper surface preparation ensures that the subsequent polishing steps adhere correctly and achieve the desired finish.
For cracks and holes, use a suitable concrete patching compound. Larger repairs may require a two-part epoxy filler. Allow all repairs to cure fully before you proceed to grinding.
Grinding Techniques for Outdoor Concrete
The grinding process transforms the surface. An accepted grit sequence depending on the concrete surface given is to start with a metal 50 or 70 grit, then use two or three progressively finer grits.
For outdoor applications, a slightly lower grit finish often works best to maintain some texture for slip resistance. The National Construction Code of Australia specifies minimum slip resistance ratings for external pavements, which you should consider when determining the final polish level.
Dealing with Outdoor Challenges
Outdoor concrete polishing presents unique challenges. UV exposure can affect some types of concrete dyes, so choose UV-stable options. The best concrete sealer for a driveway, patio, pool deck or walkway is UV resistant, breathable, and slip resistant, even when wet.
Moisture is another concern for outdoor polished concrete. Ensure proper drainage away from the polished surface to prevent water pooling. Additionally, use breathable sealers that allow moisture vapour to escape from the concrete, preventing potential delamination issues.
The next step in creating stunning outdoor polished concrete floors involves sealing and finishing. This process will protect your newly polished surface and enhance its beauty for years to come. Let’s explore the best practices for sealing and maintaining your outdoor polished concrete in the next section.
Sealing and Maintaining Outdoor Polished Concrete
Selecting the Ideal Outdoor Sealer
For outdoor polished concrete, penetrating sealers offer superior protection compared to topical sealers. These sealers absorb into the concrete, preserving the surface texture and preventing peeling or wear. UV-resistant and breathable sealers designed for exterior use are essential.
Silane-siloxane sealers excel in outdoor applications due to their water repellency and UV resistance. For areas with high foot traffic or frequent spills, fluoropolymer-based sealers provide enhanced stain resistance without altering the concrete’s appearance.
Application Techniques for Optimal Protection
The concrete surface must be completely clean and dry before sealer application. Any moisture or debris can compromise the sealer’s effectiveness. A 24-hour waiting period after the final polishing step is typically necessary before sealing begins.
Use a low-pressure sprayer to apply the sealer evenly. Work in small sections, with slight overlaps to avoid missed spots. For larger areas, a microfibre pad applicator can increase efficiency. Most penetrating sealers require two coats for optimal protection (allow 2-4 hours between coats, depending on temperature and humidity).
Effective Maintenance Practices
To preserve the beauty of outdoor polished concrete, implement a regular maintenance routine. Remove debris daily through sweeping or blowing to prevent scratching. Clean with a pH-neutral cleaner formulated specifically for polished concrete. Avoid acidic or harsh chemical cleaners that can damage the sealer and concrete surface.
Consider applying a sacrificial wear layer annually in high-traffic areas. This thin, clear coating provides an extra barrier against wear and tear, extending the sealer’s lifespan.
Addressing Stubborn Stains
For persistent stains, create a poultice using baking soda and water. Apply this paste to the stain, cover with plastic wrap, and leave overnight. This method effectively draws out many oil-based stains without damaging the concrete or sealer.
Professional Maintenance Services
While regular maintenance can be performed by property owners, professional services can provide deep cleaning and resealing when necessary. These services help maintain the floor’s appearance and extend its lifespan, especially in high-traffic or challenging outdoor environments.
Final Thoughts
Polished concrete floors outdoors require careful planning and expert execution. The right concrete mix, meticulous surface preparation, and appropriate grinding techniques form the foundation for a beautiful and durable outdoor floor. Proper sealing adds protection against the elements, while regular maintenance preserves the floor’s allure for years.
Outdoor polished concrete floors offer numerous benefits. They withstand heavy foot traffic and harsh weather conditions, enhance the aesthetic appeal of any outdoor space, and provide a cost-effective choice for homeowners and businesses. Their slip-resistant properties (when properly finished) ensure safety in wet conditions.
We at Superfloor Australia specialise in high-quality polished concrete flooring solutions in Brisbane and beyond. Our team’s precision and craftsmanship ensure that your outdoor polished concrete floors look stunning and stand the test of time. Each project is unique, and factors like climate, usage, and personal preferences play important roles in determining the best approach.