For someone not from this flooring industry, it is difficult to differentiate between concrete & screed. We are here to shed some light on this topic of how concrete is different from screed floors. What is screed? Usually confused with concrete, screed is different in many ways. Screed is a thinner layer of concrete which is usually poured over the base floor to provide a strong foundation for the lay down of top floor. The main differences between concrete & screed: Size of aggregates Grade of cement Mix consistency Cement finish The biggest difference is the intended use of the material. The differences between concrete & screed explained Creation of concrete requires coarser mixture in comparison to screed. In order to become durable & have more longevity, concrete requires bigger & harder aggregates. This is what makes concrete more durable, hence being more suitable for places with industrial applications. Screed by comparison uses almost half of the aggregates used in cement, making it smoother. While it is not as durable as it counterpart concrete, it is generally used for another purpose. Screed is usually applied on concrete slabs & is used for commercial & residential flooring purposes where an additional floor covering or coating has to be applied. It is commonly applied for internal purpose, such as covering heating & thermal insulation systems. What are the different types of screed? There are 4 main types of screed: Underfloor Screed – The most common type of screed. This type of screed is poured over heating pipes. The thinness of this screed allows for good heat flow. Floating Screed – Similar to underfloor screed, floating screed is applied on to a layer of insulation with a damp proof member over it. Bonded Screed – This type of screed is bonded with concrete using a strong bonding agent or primer. Unbonded Screed – It is typically applied to a damp proof membrane to separate the final layer of screed from concrete base. Drying time & completion process The time it takes for screed to dry depends on a variety of factors. Namely, the thickness of the screed applied and where it was laid. Screed must be left for atleast two days before it is walked on. However in some cases the drying time can be expedited by adding additives. If the area requires heavy foot traffic with loads of heavy equipment in the future, then it is advisable to leave the area for at least a week as the structural integrity of the floor could be jeopardized. Using screed as final flooring finish In many commercial & residential projects, people have opted for screed to be used a final floor finish. With the advent of technology & new flooring finishing procedures, screed can be made in different color finishes & can be polished/honed to create a spectacular look. This is being highly implemented in retail outlets, F&B, universities & garages. Contact Us Get in touch with our representatives to learn more & get to know how we can assist you in your projects regarding the screed floor in UAE.

Polished concrete floors are made by a mechanical process of both grinding and polishing then proceeding to apply sealants and lithium densifier. This is time taking process which requires specialized tools & equipment. How to make polished concrete? Polished concrete look is obtained through working thoroughly on the surface. There are many ways to bringing this surface effect & give it a polishing. However whatever method is chosen, the ways to go about it is usually the same: Grinding Process – For polishing concrete surfaces, grinding machines are deployed at site and are equipped with diamond segmented abrasives. The machines help to grind down concrete surface till the shine & smoothness of the floor is achieved.  As the grinding proceeds, so does the usage of finer-grits. Grit is the particle size of the diamond. Most of the grinding process starts from value of less than 100. Concrete Polishing Methods – The concrete can be polished in 2 different methods: Wet Method – During the grinding process, water is used to cool the diamond abrasives. This results in less dust during polishing process. This also reduces friction and the water acts as a lubricant, thus increasing the life of polished concrete flooring. Dry Method – No water is used during this process. The dust gathered from this method is vacuumed and this clears the mess along with this process. The dry method is used in industrial applications as this is more convenient, fast & environmentally friendly. Procedure to concrete polishing Step by step process to obtain polished concrete: The first step is to prepare the concrete surfaces by grinding. If any existing coatings on it has to be removed using 16-20 grit diamond abrasives. If cracks or joints are present then it must be sealed with fillers. Once sealed, the surface is grounded with 30-40 grit. This is followed by a metal-bonded diamond grinding of 80 grit. Then with 150 grit metal bonded diamond. After a series of grinding, the surface is treated with chemicals and densifier. Polishing is being done with grit ranging between 100-200 grit. Next polishing is done by the use of 400 grit followed by 800 grit resin bonded diamond. The final finishing is performed by 1500 or a 3000 grit resin bonded diamond Jn order to maintain the surface, a final coat of stain guard is applied on the floor. Note: The different levels of grit values chosen depends on the smoothness and polish required by the manufacturer or the owner for the concrete surface. Benefits of Polished Concrete High durability Creates non-slippery surface as it has a high coefficient of friction Low maintenance Insect attack and mold growth are not encouraged Helps improve natural lighting Use the existing materials for construction, hence are sustainable Polished concrete can be easily cleaned by water or neutral cleaners Polished concrete can withstand extreme industrial environments The concrete surface is improved by polishing The appearance of the concrete surface is improved 3D forms can be easily achieved by concrete polishing compared with natural stone.

Resin floors are an integral part of the facility; whether a residential, commercial, leisure, F&B or hospitality sector. The durability and sturdiness of resin material makes it an ideal choice for places with lots of foot traffic. In addition to that, the aesthetic beauty of resin can be used to accomplish a wide range of floor finishes. If installed properly, the longevity of the floor and ease of maintenance for the facility is a great benefit as it lasts for many years. Aside from withstanding the daily foot traffic from visitors in the museum, resin flooring also protects from the weighty exhibits. Resin flooring also has one distinct advantage as compared to its counterparts. They offer wide range of design possibilities that allow free reign for creating almost any visual effect on the surface. Let’s look at the 3 ways this can be used in a museum: Plain & Simple The seamless nature of this material allows for a homogenous finish with zero joints. Often, the only visible divisions are those resulting from subdivisions underneath the coating. This finish can be achieved in a glossy, matte and satin finish. Resin finish used here in Louvre Abu Dhabi matches perfectly with the designs and patterns on walls. This resin cementitious finish gives it a very clean & contemporary look. A perfect look for a museum. An Artistic Effect With a wide range of color possibility, resin flooring can be used to create grand designs. Resin flooring is the perfect application for a museum as the floor can be shown to convey a message or present a theme that goes with that environment. Epoxy terrazzo is being used in Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum with designs on the floor to showcase the diversity of the islands in Abu Dhabi. First Impressions Museum entrance ways have an important role of standing out and setting an impression on the audience. It is highly crucial to set the initial tone correctly so that the audience gets a great first impression of the museum. The glossy resin used here in the museum sets a great first impression in the minds of the visitors. A clean surface with zero joints. The choice of resin floors in museum is ideal as it is not only durable, long lasting, hard wearing, ease of maintenance but also aesthetically pleasing with a wide range of design options. To get in touch with us please drop a comment & let us know how we can assist you!

In our previous article of ‘Breaking the norm of vinyl flooring for healthcare facilities’, we discussed why the use of vinyl in such times has become costly & redundant. Resin has completely changed the landscape of flooring alternatives & is a proven better mouse trap! Here are some of the reason why this stands true to its nature. The health industry is ever-booming and during such times, the necessity of more hospitals & clinics, built to the highest of standards is of the utmost importance. New medical campuses are being built while some are renovating the age-old hospitals and clinics and renovating it to the latest features. As the demand for these healthcare facilities increases, so does the need for durable and safe flooring option. Healthcare facilities focus on patients’ well-being, so when deciding on which flooring to move forward with, certain factors have to be kept in mind regarding safety, accessibility & a feeling of comfort for not only the patients but the staff, doctors and visitors. This is where resin gets the job done and qualifies for all it. Aesthetics Hospitals & clinics mostly give off a vibe that just brings down the morale, so interior designers and architects have kept this in mind and honed in on what makes better looking environment and how to create a positive atmosphere for the patients, staff and visitors. This is where the use of resin flooring can come in where attractive flooring colors can put them at ease and bring a sense of calm. With a seamless finish and multiple usage of colors, an attractive finish can be achieved with resin flooring that is also stain-resistant. Safety Whatever it maybe; vinyl, stone, resin, ceramic, the safety of the patient is of the utmost importance. With this aspect kept in mind, healthcare facilities demand the safest safety flooring which adheres to slip-resistance & anti-microbial properties. Resin’s zero joint flooring allows for no liquid to seep in through any openings and ensuring no mold and mildew develops. Long lasting durability Healthcare facilities compete for patients’ business. The durability of resinous flooring is like none other. High performance epoxy & polyurethane systems can last for many years and still look great provided they have been maintained. Even the maintenance cost of resin is less as it only requires normal cleaning agents. This is the reason why many healthcare companies are opting for the use of resin.

Currently have an upcoming project and are struggling to find the right flooring product to select? Whether it is a commercial, F&B, retail or residential project, our comparison between both polished concrete & resin flooring will at least put some clarity in place for you so you can make a well informed decision. In the world of flooring, polished concrete can be considered a ‘new kid in the block’, as it has recently gained a lot of popularity. This is due to improved grinding techniques that allow for much better floor finishes along with polishable applications. Also, another reason for its popularity is because of the fact that it is well suited to high foot traffic environments where it is used extensively in both commercial and industrial facilities. No doubt polished concrete is a great alternative to many traditional sorts of flooring options but how does it stack up against seamless resin flooring alternatives? Designers need to assess and weigh different options to understand which one would be a better solution for their projects. Seamless resin flooring can provide one of, if not, the best commercial flooring option in terms of durability and lifecycle cost saving. Epoxy, polyurethane and MMA are three of the most common seamless resin materials. This seamless epoxy terrazzo was created using a variety of aggregates of different color and shapes. This was mixed in with epoxy and later grounded and polished to create this work of art. A project, whether it is for retail, commercial, hospitality or leisure, certain criteria pertaining to the floor finishes has to be kept in mind; appearance, functionality, project budget and construction constraints to name a few. Hence, we will keep in mind both pros and cons of each type of flooring and give our 2 cents as to which one is better. Let’s kick start this with Polished Concrete Polished concrete is a concrete floor that has been chemically treated, grounded down to a smoother shinier finish by the use of finer grinding diamonds. With the polished concrete floor, you can achieve a super flat and highly glossy finish on the surface that is not only durable but long lasting and easy to clean. Also the lifecycle cost of this is typically 60% less compared to other floor coverings. Pros: Polished concrete is hard wearing by nature and can result in floor being used for long periods of time without getting scratched, chipped or dented. It’s easy to clean the surface of polished concrete and keep the floor more hygienic as it does not support mold growth. The only thing that is required is warm soapy water for weekly washes. This results in saving time, energy and effort as compared to other floors that require waxing and sealers. Health associations have endorsed usage of polished concrete floors as they prevent build up of allergens as compared to carpet. Using polished concrete certainly qualifies the building for LEED credits as it eliminates extra carbon footprint incurred by the use of manufacturing, transporting & installing additional materials. Cons: The condition of the existing concrete determines if the polished concrete should be done or not. Issues such as cracks, delamination and dusting can be repaired, however if the substrate is too far gone then concrete will either need to be replaced or another overlay has to be applied on top. If the concrete has poor tolerance level, it results in more difficulty to polish the surface. Additional labor and exposed aggregates are the result of that. Polished concrete is susceptible to moisture and require to be properly sealed. If liquid seeps in the pores of the concrete, this could cause mold and mildew to grow and if the liquid freezes then this could cause cracking in the slab. Concrete expands and contracts with differences in temperature and these fluctuations are the reason for cracking on the surface. Now let’s head over to Resin flooring Resin flooring has many different variations but the most common are- Epoxy & Polyurethane. Epoxy flooring has certainly been a popular form of flooring alternative for a lot of various industries and the main reason is because of a wide range of colors and formulations available. Epoxy Pros: Epoxy is a durable surface that is functional, easy to clean, hygienic & easy to maintain. Epoxy can be vapor permeable, low odor and cost effective. They can be used for a wide range of applications and with a plethora of colors no wonder they are perfecto resin terrazzo and metallic epoxy! Epoxy Cons: Water based epoxy although with a low cost tag come at the expense of low life span and need to be coated after 2-3 years. Epoxy has a slower cure rate as compared to polyurethane Epoxies usually require 2 coats to remove porosity. Polyurethanes are at the more durable, robust and thicker end of the resin flooring spectrum. Depending on the application and system, polyurethane can be applied as flow smooth self-leveling or trowel applied mortar. PU Pros: PU is considered to be extremely durable once it bonds with concrete. This solid chemistry between the two makes it a robust and extremely hard wearing flooring option. Easy to clean & long lasting They are UV resistant & able to withstand any shrinking or contraction within the surface. Making it the ideal solution for places such as schools or hospitals. PU Cons: The cost of the system usually deters designers and architects from using this product. However, it has to be noted that this can last for long period of time with a plethora of colors. Decision Time! So, what will you choose? Resin or Polished Concrete? Based on the comparison above, it is clear that resin definitely comes out on top. Please get in touch with us so our experts can guide you on both systems.

If you have read our article ‘5 new flooring trends to look out for’, you are well aware that flooring materials are becoming more daring & diverse. Although variation of material is on the rise, however there is one color that is being used a lot these days. No matter where we look, be it retail outlet, museums, educational facilities, the usage of grey color tone has been on the rise. So what is the reason that makes this color so popular? Let’s take a look! Contemporary Color There is something fascinating about the grey color tone that allows it to blend itself well with the decorative elements. Take this mall for example. The mall as shown above used a combination of grey tones and crisp white flooring. Shimmering & glittering elements were added in the flooring, generating a sense of modernism & luxury in the environment. Beautiful terrazzo design was incorporated to create these beautiful curves across the floor that added a look of modernism & enhance the look of the space. This curved pattern reflects the architecture of the building and more specifically the curves of the interior mall. Industrial Aesthetics By adding grey tones to the space, it is possible to create an industrial feel to the commercial office, F&B or residential space. This sort of trend has been gaining traction these days and that too for good reasons. This was done using our microtopping product where we designed a raw natural look on the surface that is durable, long lasting and easy to clean. Not only does this work well in malls and offices but blends in perfectly at our project of Rain Café where grey microtopping was incorporated in the floor. This created a beautiful look and worked well with the lighter shade of grey on wall. Alongside industrial aesthetics, the flooring used here was durable enough to have the highest standards of mechanical and chemical resistance, given that it was installed in a factory. Be it office, home, mall, café, grey color tone according to our prediction is here to stay for the long haul! Get in touch with us to create some of these designs for your interior space.

Industry estimates indicate that polished concrete installations make up 15-20% of all new flooring systems installed each year. That’s a massive number and it keeps on increasing and there’s a good reason why this is the case. Why go with polished concrete?At Gulf Trading FZE, our polished concrete flooring solution has been recognized for its sustainability, benefits and contribution to the environment. We’re proud that we have been part of prestigious projects and our experts are here to guide you on how our polished concrete solutions can play a critical role in LEED silver, gold and platinum awards. Benefits of polished concrete – No more dust from efflorescenceIn ordinary unpolished concrete, dust particles come on to the surface through hydrostatic pressure resulting in efflorescence. This leads to dusting which basically forces epoxies off the floor which results in more costly maintenance. Polished concrete eliminates this dusting, hence minimizing any additional maintenance cost – Say goodbye to stainsBy densifying and sealing the surface, polished concrete transforms a porous surface into a tightened floor where water, oil and other liquid contaminants will not be able to seep in the concrete pores. – Improved reflectivityPolished concrete improves lighting in the facility as it has reflective properties. This improved ambient lighting reduces cost of energy bills, increases safety and showcases the facility in the best possible way. – No more slip upsAlthough it looks shiny on the surface, polished concrete does not create a slippery surface. In fact, mechanically grinding and flatting the floor ultimately increases the coefficient of friction as compared to ordinary concrete. – Cost effective optionPolished concrete delivers ROI by reducing energy and maintenance cost. With the ambient lighting we save on energy and with less maintenance of the floor, we save tons during long term. – LEED FriendlyPolished concrete not only utilizes existing concrete surface to eliminate the need for additional floor coverings/coatings, it also contains no VOC, making it the most appealing option to move forward

COVID-19 has brought the word to a standby. Malls have been closed, work from home has become the norm and students are studying from home. Although the current situation is not favorable for most people, this however is actually a great opportunity for educational institutes to have their flooring renovated as there is no foot traffic during time of installation. One of the most important and largest of all place to refurbish is definitely the school floor, as this provides a safe space for staff and pupils on a daily basis. With such high number in foot traffic, let’s take a look at which option suits the best for different areas. Classrooms Durability is a major requirement for school flooring. When installing a new flooring or any flooring for that matter, it has to stand the test of time, so that when a refurbishment is required, the new choice has to be the last! That is exactly the reason why resin flooring has taken off amongst designers. Classrooms usually have a lot tables and chairs being dragged across the floor & this is why it is absolutely crucial to have floor that has high abrasion resistance. As well as being durable, classrooms can have a decorative element to them by adding different color schemes on the floor. With our resin flooring for classrooms, now you can have suitable designs depending on the age of students. Zero Wastage Vinyl as compared to resin also has many colors and designs on it. However the problem with vinyl is that it comes pre-fabricated and this leads to a high wastage especially with many colorful designs involved. Canteen The next place is canteen where there is great footfall and also a regular movement of tables and chairs. So the floor not only has to be durable and appealing but it also has to have strong properties of chemical resistance and anti-bacterial because of the natural and artificial sugars presence in the food which can lead to floor deterioration of lesser floor’s finish. In canteen kitchen, temperature resistance would be a key requirement to stop floors from failing because of excessive heat from oven or from extreme cold in cold storage areas. Our polyurethane systems would get the job done in such places. Corridors The area with a constant load of high foot-traffic, corridors are a guiding area as well for students,staff and visitors alike & need to flooring that is not only durable but also designed in a manner that showcases safest paths to walk on and highlight where doorways are, or other areas of collision. With resin flooring, we can play around with 3-4 colors to create a great looking corridor that is certainly eye-catching, long-lasting & easy to clean. If you would like any further information, please feel free to drop a comment and our experts will get in touch with you.