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Before and After

Real Concrete Floor Transformations

Every floor tells a story. In this gallery, you’ll see how worn, damaged, and outdated concrete surfaces are transformed into durable, low-maintenance flooring systems built for real-world use. These before and after photos showcase actual CustomCrete projects across the greater Chicago area—highlighting the impact of proper surface preparation, system selection, and professional installation.

Retail - Polished Concrete

7 Mile Cycles

This floor was taken through a full polishing process, beginning with 40-grit grinding and progressing step by step to a high-gloss 3000-grit finish. Along the way, the concrete was properly densified to strengthen the surface and prepare it for long-term performance.

The finished floor features a clean salt-and-pepper aggregate exposure and was sealed with an HTS CS-PS protective topcoat. Final burnishing brought out clarity and shine, resulting in a polished concrete surface that balances durability, appearance, and low-maintenance performance.

Restoration Services - Polished Concrete & Line Striping

Excel Restoration

This project focused on restoring joint integrity to support long-term floor performance. Concrete slabs constantly move due to thermal changes, forklift traffic, and daily operational loads, and without proper joint control, that movement can lead to edge damage and premature system failure.

The floor joints were filled using HTS Poly PE-85 A and PE-85 B polyurea materials to support load transfer and protect joint edges. Once the slab was stabilized, the concrete was polished to an 800-grit finish, creating a durable, cleanable surface. The project was completed with high-visibility yellow epoxy line striping, providing clear pathways and improved organization for warehouse traffic.

Aerospace - Epoxy Flooring

SKF Group

This aerospace manufacturing facility in Elgin, IL required a durable, cleanable epoxy floor capable of supporting daily production while maintaining a safe working surface. The existing coating was fully ground down to expose a sound concrete substrate, allowing damaged areas to be properly addressed before installing the new system.

After surface preparation, the concrete was patched using Carboguard 501 to repair defects and restore slab integrity. A Dudick Steri-Prime WB primer was then applied to promote adhesion and system longevity. The project was completed with Dudick SteriFlor UV epoxy, finished with a light anti-slip texture to improve traction without compromising cleanability. The result is a high-performance epoxy floor built to meet the demands of an aerospace manufacturing environment.

Automotive Manufacturing - Urethane Cement

NTN

This facility’s floor was taken back to its base through shotblasting, grinding, and thorough vacuuming to ensure the concrete was properly prepared for a new system. Full surface preparation allowed the slab to be rebuilt for long-term performance under demanding conditions.

A bold green urethane cement system using Dudick SHOCK-CRETE was then installed, creating a durable, functional surface engineered for real-world industrial workloads. The result is a resilient floor designed to handle heavy use while extending the life of the concrete beneath it.

Manufacturing- Line Striping

Great Kitchens

Great Kitchens partnered with CustomCrete to improve safety and efficiency through the installation of high-visibility line striping throughout the facility. The new markings help guide foot traffic, define work zones, and reduce the risk of accidents in a fast-moving industrial environment.

Industrial-grade yellow coatings were used to ensure the striping could withstand constant movement and daily wear. The finished result delivers crisp, durable markings that improve organization and keep pathways clearly defined for ongoing operations.

Commercial - Polished Concrete

Cannon

As part of a facility remodel in Chicago, existing layers of VCT, terrazzo, and epoxy were fully removed to prepare the slab for a new finish. Proper removal and surface preparation allowed the concrete to be polished from the ground up rather than covered over.

The floor was finished as a Class D, Level 4 polished concrete system with large aggregate exposure and a high-gloss 3000-grit finish. The result is a durable, low-maintenance surface that delivers long-term performance with a clean, refined appearance

Manufacturing - Epoxy Flooring

ViaPhoton

This manufacturing facility in Chicago needed a durable epoxy coating system that could support daily operations while improving floor integrity and long-term performance. The project began with planetary grinding to remove the existing surface and properly profile the concrete, creating a clean, consistent substrate for the new coating system.

Once the floor was prepared, all control joints were filled with HTS Poly PE-85 polyurea to restore joint stability and protect edges from future wear. A Dudick Steri-Prime WB primer was then applied to promote strong adhesion between the concrete and coating layers. The epoxy system was built using Carboline Dudick Steri-Flor UV as both the basecoat and topcoat, creating a seamless, uniform finish designed for durability, cleanability, and everyday industrial use. The completed floor delivers a reliable epoxy surface engineered to perform in a demanding manufacturing environment.

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Ready to Transform Your Space?

From industrial facilities to commercial spaces, each transformation reflects the specific challenges of the environment and the flooring solution designed to solve them. No two projects are the same, and every result is driven by performance, safety, and long-term durability—not just appearance.

With nearly 20 years of experience, our team of flooring experts is ready to answer your questions, provide guidance, and make sure you feel confident about your flooring choices. Reach out, and let’s get started on creating the perfect solution for your space.