Concrete is a Green Floor

The greenest floor is the one that’s already there, and in must cases, concrete is the substrate for both new and existing floors. Transforming the surface into a finished floor is far more sustainable than consuming additional flooring materials, adhesives, and transportation-related energy to install a floor covering. Moreover, most of the processes used in making decorative concrete floors – including all Lythic Solutions products – release low  or no VOC’s.

Concrete floors are also more sustainable in long-term service.  They are maintained with mild cleansers, not harsh solvents. They do not require the frequent waxing and stripping of vinyl tile (VCT) floors. They do not release fibers, or provide a growth environment for mold, bacteria, allergans, or dust mites, as does carpet.  Concrete lasts for decades, and the finish on it is nearly as long-lasting if properly maintained.

 

Lythic is the Greenest Densifier

Lythic Solutions increases these sustainable benefits with our eco-friendly Lythic Densifier. Conventional densifiers based on silicates and siliconates are highly caustic – in the range of pH 10.5-12 – making them dangerous to handle. Sodium and postassium silicates form a chemical slurry byproduct that requires disposal as a hazardous material. Lythic Densifier has low pH in the range of 8.5-9, so it is safer to handle. It does not leave a dangerous residue and there is no hazardous disposal. Lythic Densifier has zero VOCs and contains no harsh chemical solvents.

Reactive Colloidal Silica is produced from abundant raw materials and utilizes a clean manufacturing process that does not release pollutants into the environment. It is an inert substance and does not pose a high risk to health when exposure occurs at low levels.

Lythic improves energy efficiency of construction, too. Most Lythic Solutions products are shipped as concentrates to reduce transportation energy consumption. Lythic Densifier eliminates the overnight curing of sodium silicate, possibly reducing jobsite transportation energy. Installation of a Lythic HardWear floor instead of diamond polishing can also substantially reduce energy consumption by high-voltage grinding and polishing machinery.