A Brief History
The invention of concrete can be traced back to 6500 B.C., but this concrete—used for floors, walls, and reservoirs on the Arabian Peninsula—was not polished. The Egyptians used concrete in the building of the Great Pyramids, but that was also unpolished. Romans used concrete in vast amounts during the construction of their cities but, yet again, unpolished.
Polished concrete, as we know it today, was accidentally developed in the early 1990s in a Tunisian palace by workers. They polished the floor dry, and as a byproduct of their mistake, sparked a fervor for polished concrete that took off around the world.
Modern Times
In modern times, there are 3 different types of polished concrete floors, for which the Concrete Polishing Association of America created standards:
- Bonded abrasive polished concrete floors are achieved using a machine to cut fine microscopic peaks and valleys.
- Burnished polished concrete floors are achieved using friction and abrasive pads on a machine.
- Topical polished concrete floors are achieved using an applied liquid coating, delivering a polished gloss.
The Betco Crete Rx™ System is the simplest concrete system on the market and exceeds the standards set forth for bonded abrasive and burnished polished concrete floors. Our innovative process seamlessly integrates chemicals, pads, and tools to achieve better-looking floors, with a depth of gloss and stain resistance in less time, with no liquid coating necessary. Learn more here.