FAQs
Lazenby Polished Concrete Flooring
We recommend a Lazenby Polished Concrete floor be installed at depth of 100mm. It is possible to install a floor to 75mm thickness if required however.
We have alternative solutions available if this depth is not achievable.
We have alternative solutions available if this depth is not achievable.
Floors at a depth of 100mm require crack control joints every 5 metres; if the depth is reduced more joints are required. At 75mm joints are required every 3 metres. All joints can be filled with a complimentary silicone.
This is possible but not very practical. The floor will shrink away from the metal joint and possibly leave a frail edge. It is also difficult to install with underfloor heating.
Yes! Almost every residential project we undertake is laid with underfloor heating. Concrete is a fantastic conductor of heat and acts as a huge heat store, giving off a very pleasant feel underfoot.
Yes, our Polished Concrete floors can be installed outdoors. If you are matching to an internal floor we use the exact same process only with a textured, anti-slip finish to aid with slip resistance. This ensures the colour is as close as possible to the internal. We are also able to build other exterior decorative finishes too, such as concrete BBQ tops and tables.
No! We are able to install any type of decorative concrete; this includes staircases, worktops & island units, external concrete.
Generally it is best to install the floor when the building is watertight, first fix M&E has been completed and the area is as open as possible. As the floor is protected after installation, stud walls and other wall finishes should all be installed / completed after the floor has been laid. Installing a floor at the correct time is critical to ensuring the best possible finish and to minimise the risk of cracking.
We aim for all of our floors to be low maintenance. The secret is to use the correct cleaner and maintainer whilst following the maintenance instructions provided.
If floors are maintained correctly they should improve with time. We are able to re-polish or re-seal if required.
A Lazenby Polished Concrete floor can generally be installed in three days depending on the project requirements and size. In the winter the floors can take a long time to set and our team may potentially have to work past midnight.
Following the installation we cover and protect the concrete floor. This protection is designed to wet cure the concrete whilst allowing general building works to continue. We advise the minimum curing period to be 28 days but there is no maximum time frame. Once all the building works have been completed the protection can be removed and the floor is ready to be sealed.
All concrete has the possibility of cracking. With good working practice along with careful use of shrink reducing admixtures, designed reinforcement and crack control joints the risk of cracking is reduced. The misuse of underfloor heating with sudden temperature changes is the biggest reason for cracks in floors.
Yes, absolutely. We offer an aftercare service with dedicated repair specialists who will be able to fill and colour match any cracks that appear over time.
FAQs
Diamond Polished Concrete Flooring
Yes absolutely. It can be laid directly over the pipes and is an extremely good conductor of heat.
The ideal thickness is 100mm although it is possible to install at 75mm thickness if required.
Unfortunately with a diamond polished concrete system it is not possible to completely control the aggregate used. The concrete is sourced from local suppliers and therefore the aggregate used can vary depending on the location. The most common aggregates found are gravel, limestone and granite.
In some cases it may be possible to seed your aggregate of choice into the concrete, but it is not possible to completely remove the base aggregate.
In some cases it may be possible to seed your aggregate of choice into the concrete, but it is not possible to completely remove the base aggregate.
Once again, as the concrete is sourced locally, the background colour can vary depending on the location. Through the use of integral colours it is possible to darken the background colour however it is very difficult to lighten it. The beauty of a Diamond Polished Concrete floor is that the look very location specific and unique.
If you’re looking for a completely controllable look we would recommend our Terrazzo flooring.
If you’re looking for a completely controllable look we would recommend our Terrazzo flooring.
As a Diamond Polished Concrete floor is generally much quicker and simpler to install, it tends to be much more cost effective than a Terrazzo floor. A Diamond Polished Concrete floor can also beautifully tie a building into its surroundings as it utilises materials and aggregates sourced locally.
Yes, a Diamond Polished Concrete floor can be laid outside. The concrete is typically polished to a lower grit level to achieve a more textured, anti-slip finish.
The installation timescales can vary depending on the complexity and size of the project. Most residential projects can typically be installed in 3 to 5 days. We then generally leave the floors for 7 to 14 days before returning to grind and polish.
Like all concrete floors a Diamond Polished Concrete floor does require some joints to try and prevent cracking. These joints are typically required at 5 metre intervals when the floor is 100mm deep. More joints are required for a floor of reduced depth.
FAQs
Architop Flooring
Architop is laid to approximately 2mm thickness.
Most traditional micro cements are simply laid with a trowel and have a very soft finish leading them to scratch very easily. As Architop is laid with the same Powerfloat machinery as a concrete floor, it gives an extremely hard, dense surface. This makes Architop more suitable for busy residential and commercial environments.
As Architop is laid using the same machinery as a concrete floor, it creates a similar look with a mottled variation and non-uniform finish. Each product has its own unique characteristics but an Architop floor is designed to look like a polished concrete floor at a reduced depth.
It depends on the project size and complexity but in general it takes a minimum of 6 days to install.
An Architop floor is most suited for situations where there is restricted floor depth available or weight restrictions are in place. If a fresh slab is to be poured and underfloor heating is to be incorporated then we would generally recommend our Lazenby Polished Concrete.
Architop only requires joints to mirror what is in the sub floor. If the sub floor is free from joints, then it is possible to lay Architop with no joints.
Architop is a fully bonded system that can be laid over a concrete slab, cement board or self-levelling screed. All sub floors must be free from moisture and have a compressive strength of 25/35 Nm³.
The key to prevent cracking in an Architop floor is to ensure the subbase is of good quality. As with any concrete floor we are unable to guarantee that the floor will not crack but do everything we can to minimise this possibility. We use a fibreglass mesh as part of the preparation process to provide additional strength. We also repair any cracks in the sub floor before installing to try and prevent reflective cracking.
Unfortunately Architop is only suitable for internal use.
No, as it is finished using a Powerfloat machine it is not suitable for walls. We can produce large format pre-cast tiles where concrete is required on the walls.
As both products are made using different materials and colouring systems unfortunately it is not possible to lay both products in an identical finish.
FAQs
Concrete Tiles
The largest size for internal floor tiles is 1200mm x 1200mm. External tiles can be up to 1000mm x 1000mm. Wall tiles can be produced up to 2000mm x 1000mm.
Internal floor tiles can be as thin as 12mm. External tiles are produced at 40mm thickness.
Wall tiles can be between 12-20mm depending on the finish required.
All our tiles are made to order and are bespoke to your requirements. We do not hold any tiles in stock at our factory.
No, we seal everything in our factory before it’s delivered. If you follow our maintenance instructions the tiles shouldn’t ever need to be re-sealed.
Due to the different ways in which the tiles and floors are made, unfortunately it is not possible to achieve a perfect colour match between the two products. We have a range of pre-cast colours that are designed to complement the polished concrete floors. As both products are handmade each will have its own unique characteristics and texture.
We do not install tiles or any pre-cast products as standard. Our quotations are provided on a kerbside delivery basis.
Certainly not. Our tiles are commonly used for wall cladding, skirtings, stair treads and splashbacks but can be used for almost any situation requiring decorative concrete.
Yes, the tiles can be cut on site. The thinner profile tiles in particular are relatively straight forward to cut.
Floor tiles can have a smooth or textured face making them suitable for both inside and outside. It is also possible to have a diamond polished or exposed aggregate finish.
Wall tiles can be cast in a variety of different ways including a wood effect finish or a pitted / industrial finish.
We like to push the boundaries of what is possible, so please discuss with our team if you have a particular finish in mind.
Wall tiles can be cast in a variety of different ways including a wood effect finish or a pitted / industrial finish.
We like to push the boundaries of what is possible, so please discuss with our team if you have a particular finish in mind.
It depends on the number of tiles and complexity, but our typical lead time is 6-8 weeks. However, this can vary depending on our manufacturing schedule.
FAQs
Lazenby Terrazzo
Terrazzo can be laid at 7-40mm thickness. The depth depends on the size of the aggregate required.
We have a range of standard aggregates and colours available, however we are able to produce bespoke colour and aggregate combinations if required.
The sub floor must be rigid, and be free from moisture, movement and cracks. A concrete or screed subbase is the ideal substrate for a Terrazzo floor. This must have a minimum strength of 25 N/mm².
Joints are only required to mirror those in the substrate. Where required these will be metal inlays. It is also possible to incorporate decorative trims into the floor to form patterns or bespoke designs.
Yes absolutely. We can form a range of structures and items in a Terrazzo finish. Please contact us to discuss your project requirements further.
A Terrazzo floor offers the chance to lay a completely customisable concrete floor. Diamond Polished Concrete floors are limited to the local suppliers and materials, whereas a Terrazzo floor gives a much greater degree of control.
As Terrazzo is cast to a much thinner depth than Diamond Polished Concrete it can also be more suitable for situations where there is a reduced depth available.
As Terrazzo is cast to a much thinner depth than Diamond Polished Concrete it can also be more suitable for situations where there is a reduced depth available.
Yes it does. The underfloor heating should be set into the concrete or screed substrate and then commissioned prior to the Terrazzo floor being installed.
It depends on the project requirements and size but generally it takes a minimum of 5 days to install. Before we can return to diamond grind and polish, the floor must be left to cure. The exact timescale can depend on many factors, please contact us to discuss the exact programme.
FAQs
Worktops, Surfaces & Furniture
We have the capacity to produce items both in situ (on-site) and pre-cast (off-site).
There can be a combination of factors that can lend an item to one method over the other. The most notable being the size of the items, location of the project, thickness and weight of the concrete.
For pre-cast items we only manufacture pieces which can be manhandled, this means that larger elements are often more suited to being cast in situ.
Please speak to our team to discuss the specific of your project.
For pre-cast items we only manufacture pieces which can be manhandled, this means that larger elements are often more suited to being cast in situ.
Please speak to our team to discuss the specific of your project.
There are differences, yes. Both items are produced using completely different methods and colouring systems. Pre-cast items are cast face down into a mould so tend to have a more uniform appearance. Cast in situ items are typically trowelled (to exposed faces) so they have a mottled variation similar to a polished concrete floor.
Pouring worktops and furniture on site is typically the best method to achieve a colour match with a polished concrete floor.
Pouring worktops and furniture on site is typically the best method to achieve a colour match with a polished concrete floor.
We always recommend placing hot pans on heat proof mats, never directly on the concrete. Whilst the concrete is sealed, it is not impervious to staining and strongly acidic liquids such as lemon juice can stain the concrete if left to sit.
A concrete worktop behaves similar to a natural wood surface in that it needs a little bit of care, but they are designed to create a unique patina over time from general use and wear. It is one of concrete’s unique charms.
A concrete worktop behaves similar to a natural wood surface in that it needs a little bit of care, but they are designed to create a unique patina over time from general use and wear. It is one of concrete’s unique charms.
Yes absolutely. We love to push the boundaries and take on unique projects. Get in touch with our team and we will review the drawings and brief to come up with a proposal.
By casting items in situ we can achieve an almost perfect match on all surfaces which are trowelled (typically the top surface). Pre-cast items are not a perfect match as they have a different characteristic and texture. We have a complimentary colour range for our pre-cast items.
We don’t do design work unfortunately, we manufacture to the design and drawings produced by the architects.
FAQs
Pre-Cast Sinks
It depends on the overall weight of the piece, but it is possible to cast pieces up to 3m in length in some cases. Larger items can be discreetly broken down into smaller pieces which makes the installation much simpler.
We do not install the sinks. They are supplied on a kerbside delivery basis to be installed by your chosen contractor.
As standard our sinks are designed to be fully supported by joinery or worktops. It may be possible to incorporate recesses in the sinks to accommodate brackets etc. but this is not provided as standard. Please advise us if this is something which you are looking to achieve.
Typically the concrete is 30mm thick as this helps to reduce the overall weight.
We can make provision for most standard wastes and slot wastes. This can be discussed at quoting stage and incorporated.
We don’t design the sinks unfortunately. We can offer advice where possible, but we do not have design capabilities.
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