What is a Concrete Floor Grinder?
A concrete floor grinder is a floor machine that is used to grind, polish, and hone concrete. It’s typically a machine that has a horizontally rotating head or multiple rotating heads which rotate a set of diamond grinding discs to level, smooth, or clean concrete surfaces.
The basic operation of a concrete floor grinder is one where you attach diamond grinding tools to the machine depending on the task you’re doing which is why concrete grinding is also referred to as diamond grinding.
For a overview of the types of diamond tools, watch the video above.
Why Use One?
Concrete grinders are used in the process of repairing, restoring, and rejuvenating concrete floor surfaces.
The most common uses include:
- Grinding and leveling the floor before applying a coating like an epoxy or urethane sealer
- Removing aggressive coatings
- Repairing concrete where there’s an uneven settlement or where you have lippage
- Polishing concrete floors.
What Criteria Should You Consider When Looking into a Concrete Floor Grinder?
There are a variety of floor grinding machines available and there are several brands of machines to choose.
If you’re looking what type of machine to get, the top two things to consider are:
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The Size
The bigger the machine, the more efficient you’ll be at completing a bigger job. However, size also determines how portable the machine is. So, if you have a really big machine, but you’re only working on about 500 square feet in the basement, a big machine may be impractical.
So, smaller machines and more suited for smaller jobs, and bigger machines are suited for bigger jobs.
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Power Source
Most grinding machines will run on a 220-type circuit, especially in North America.
Some smaller machines however will run on 110 volts so you can plug them into any standard electrical power source.
And the reason that is important is that you can take these floor grinders up and down a flight of stairs and you use them for both residential and small commercial and industrial type jobs.
As soon you get into the bigger jobs and large floor spaces (3000 sq ft and above), you’ll need to consider a larger machine that would typically require a 220-volt power source.
There’s a third kind of floor grinder which is gas or propane-powered. However, propane-powered machines are only permissible in certain places.
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Portability
The 3rd criterion to consider is portability. If you need to transport your floor grinder in a small car or need to carry it up and down the stairs without hiring some extra help, then a small, single disc 17” to 20” floor grinder would probably be the most practical for you.
What Do They Cost?
Floor grinders come in a variety of types and sizes. A good, durable machine with a reputation for quality will demand a higher price. The size of the machine will also determine the price you pay.
For a small machine that’s typically good for up to 2,000 to 3,000 sq ft of work per job, you’re looking at $3,000 to $5,000 for the grinding machine together with the tools that you need for that job.
Once you get into the bigger machines, you’re looking at anywhere from $10,000 to $15,000, all the way up to $80,000, and more, depending on how sophisticated a machine you want.
To learn how The Stonechat helps you refinish concrete with less effort, click the button below.