Several Laticrete products were specified for the installation of polished concrete floors at the latest store in the Boyer’s Food Markets chain in north-eastern Pennsylvania. Operating in 17 locations, the company recently completed construction on its 18th store in the community of Birdsboro. The first in the chain to be built from the ground up, the store has been designed to offer a more pleasant environment to shoppers while reducing maintenance for the owners.
The design called for polished concrete floors in the building spread across approximately 32,000 square feet (2,972 square metres) of space. Seeking a polished concrete contractor with the experience and skill to complete the project before the rapidly approaching grand opening, the general contractor awarded the contract to Budget Maintenance.
The polished concrete contractor faced a few significant challenges with this project. One major challenge for the crew of four men was to work at night around the equipment and mess left behind by the day contractors. The flooring contractor’s team had to deal with everything from spilled hydraulic fluid from the equipment to paint and plaster that would fall and adhere to the floors.
Floor preparation presented another challenge for the team as the new concrete proved difficult to open up, forcing them to use a grind aid to allow for an easier cut.
The rapidly approaching store opening date meant Budget Maintenance only had five weeks to complete the project, while having to do all the work in overnight shifts so that other contractors were not interrupted.
LATICRETE solutions
LATICRETE solutions that are part of the FGS PermaShine System in the new Boyer’s Food Market include:
FGS HARDENER PLUS, a proprietary, chemical hardening solution formulated to increase the wear resistance and surface strength of concrete floors that have been mechanically ground, smoothed, and polished. Polished concrete floors treated with FGS HARDENER PLUS last longer than conventional concrete floors, cost less to maintain, reflect light better, hold the shine longer, are safe to use, and are guaranteed to resist dusting for a minimum of ten years.
L&M VIVID CONCRETE DYE is available in 24 standard colours and formulated using extremely fine molecules of colour designed to penetrate and colour any cementitious surface. Created for use with the FGS PermaShine polished concrete floor system, it can be used as a base colour, as touch up for acid stained concrete or as a colouring agent itself.
PERMAGUARD SPS is a topical sealer that effectively protects concrete and other natural stone floor surfaces from the damaging effects of staining, defacing, and deterioration due to contaminant penetration. The resulting floors are easier to clean and keep clean, featuring a long-lasting high-gloss finish that improves light reflectance and eliminates the need for floor waxes, polishes, and conventional epoxy-based coatings.
Vic Scotese, LATICRETE Regional Technical Service Representative explains that a polished, attractive and easy-to-maintain concrete floor is critical in the retail environment, but getting those results can be a real challenge in the hectic construction phase of the project. The key is to find a contractor with the right products and the experience and flexibility to work around the challenges.
Outcome
Boyer’s Food Market opened on time to a rush of happy customers and very satisfied owners. The polished concrete floors are a highlight of the facility and will require very little maintenance while providing decades of assured service.
