Propane buffers provide a way for you to make your floor shine once again, without having to drag around all the cords that come with an electric machine. For the most part, they are much easier to transport, and require less effort to use than those standard electric buffers/burnishers.
Bringing a floor back to its original shiny look is a hard job. It takes time, effort, and the right kinds of machinery. When you’re evaluating what kinds of equipment you wish to use for buffing, it is very wise to consider the weight of the machine, its durability, the maximum output, and a number of other factors. It is often hard to come to the right decision without having seen the buffer in action, so it would also be wise to visit some of the trade shows that the industry offers.
If you don’t have the budget or the time to attend one of these shows (they get rather pricey when you figure in your hotel, airfare, and other accomodations), then contact the manufacturer. They may have a distributor or even other willing contractors that are in your local area. You can then reference these people to get a better idea of the performance of the machine you are about to invest in.
If you don’t do your homework, it is very easy to get burned. There are quite a number of sub-par floor propane buffers on the market today. Be sure that you do your homework, and purchase wisely.
Doing just that can save you all sorts of headache down the road.
One of the easiest ways to give your kitchen a new, modern, updated look is to have new countertops installed. Take a look at your big box stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.) and you will certainly find an astronomical number of options available in their kitchen sections. However, one thing most people don’t think about as a countertop surface is polished concrete.
Polished concrete has been used for many years in warehouses, garages, retail stores, restaurants, and many other applications, but until recently, it’s use has been restricted to the floor, being on the ground. In the past couple of years, however, contractors have begun experimenting more and more with using it as a countertop option. It takes a lot of work, much preparation, and sometimes a great deal of patience, but the end result is certainly pleasing to the eyes.
The first step is to design the countertop. Seeing as how these will be custom poured, fitted, stained, and shined, you have many options. Don’t think that your countertops are going to look like a shinier version of your sidewalk, though. You can add all sorts of elements, such as actually mixing in pieces of metal, rock, or other substances. These will show through on the outside, and can look very modern. You also have a wide range of colors and concrete dyes to choose from. The plain, grey/white color that we see all around us is not the only color concrete comes in. You also have choices in the shape of your countertop. Rounded edges, circular protrusions, bevel, and corners – you get to decide.
Once you have your designs drawn up, the contractor will then custom fit a mold to the specifications you provide. These molds will most likely stay with the countertop until it is ready to be mounted on your cabinets. While it is important to have the shape as accurate as possible, there is some room for modification once the mold comes off.
The next step is to mix the concrete. This can vary depending on the type of concrete used, the desired color and texture, and any foreign objects that you wish to have within your counters.
After the concrete sets, it is time to stain it. This process also varies depending on the method of staining, the brand of dye, and other factors as well. Your concrete professional should be able to answer any questions you have.
Now comes the polishing stage. This will require special concrete polishing equipment that the contractor may have to rent (if they don’t own the equipment themselves – concrete grinders are somewhat expensive). The equipment used will grind the concrete down to an extremely fine grit (much like sandpaper smooths wood). Then a coating is applied and buffed into the concrete to create a high-gloss finish.
Your countertops are now ready to install. Installation depends upon the overall design of both your new counters and the base that will support them. Remember, concrete is much heavier than standard countertops, so it might require some extra support.
Eagle Floor Solutions
Stonekor, LLC
6450 Joe Frank Harris Parkway
Adairsville, GA 30103
(800) 633-0519
