Your commercial floors look dull. Someone told you they need buffing. Someone else said polishing. Aren’t those the same thing? Actually, no. Floor buffing and floor polishing are completely different processes. Using the wrong one wastes time and money. Let’s clear up the confusion.
What Is Floor Buffing?
Floor buffing cleans and restores shine to your existing floor finish. It doesn’t add anything new. Think of it like washing and waxing a car that already has good paint.
How Does Floor Buffing Work?
A machine with a rotating pad spins at high speed, 1,500 to 3,000 RPM. The friction removes dirt, scuff marks, and dullness from the top layer of your floor’s existing finish. The heat from friction actually melts the top layer slightly, evening it out and creating shine.
Most buffing is dry or uses a light spray. You’re not applying new coatings.
What Floors Can You Buff?
VCT tile, hardwood, marble, and terrazzo all respond well to buffing. Basically, any hard floor with an existing finish can be buffed.
What Is Floor Polishing?
Floor polishing applies a new protective coating to your floor. You’re adding a layer of wax or polish, then buffing it to shine. Think of it like applying a new clear coat to a car’s paint.
How Does Floor Polishing Work?
First, you apply liquid wax or polish to the clean floor. Then you use a low to medium speed buffer, 175 to 1,000 RPM, to spread it evenly and buff it to shine. The new coating fills scratches, adds protection, and creates a glossy finish.
This takes way longer than buffing because you’re applying product and waiting for it to cure.
What Floors Can You Polish?
VCT tile, vinyl, and some hardwoods work great with polishing. You need floors that can handle wax or polymer-based finishes.
What Are the Key Differences Between Buffing and Polishing?
Here’s how they compare:
- Purpose: Buffing cleans and restores shine to the existing finish. Polishing applies a new protective coating.
- Process: Buffing uses a high-speed rotating pad to remove dirt. Polishing applies liquid wax or polish, then buffs it.
- Speed: Buffing runs at high speed at 1,500 to 3,000 RPM. Polishing uses a low to medium speed at 175 to 1,000 RPM.
- Materials: Buffing applies nothing; it’s a dry process or light spray. Polishing uses wax, polish, or finishing compounds.
- Results: Buffing gives you a clean, glossy existing finish. Polishing creates a new protective layer with shine.
- Frequency: Buff weekly to monthly. Polish every 3 to 6 months.
- Time: Buffing takes 15 to 30 minutes per 1,000 square feet. Polishing needs 45 to 90 minutes per 1,000 square feet.
- Cost: Professional buffing runs $0.15 to $0.35 per square foot. Polishing costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot.
- DIY Difficulty: Buffing is moderate. Polishing is moderate to difficult.
- Best For: Buffing maintains floors between polishing. Polishing fixes worn floors needing protection.
When Should You Buff Your Floors Instead of Polishing?
Buff when your floors still have a good finish, but look dull from daily traffic. Buff for regular maintenance to keep the shine between polishing jobs. Buff when you see scuff marks, but the coating underneath is still good.
Most commercial buildings buff weekly or bi-weekly to keep floors looking sharp. This extends the time between expensive polishing jobs.
When Should You Polish Your Floors Instead of Buffing?
Polish when the finish is worn down to the floor itself. Polish when buffing doesn’t restore shine anymore. Polish when you see scratches going through the coating. Polish every 3 to 6 months as scheduled maintenance.
If you can see the actual floor material rather than a smooth finish, buffing won’t help. You need a new coating, which means floor polishing.
How Much Do Floor Buffing and Polishing Cost?
Professional floor buffing costs $0.15 to $0.35 per square foot. A 5,000 square foot office runs $750 to $1,750 for buffing.
Floor polishing costs $0.50 to $1.50 per square foot. That same 5,000 square foot office costs $2,500 to $7,500 for polishing.
Polishing costs more because it takes longer, uses materials, and requires more skill.
Can You Do Both Buffing and Polishing Yourself?
You can, but machines cost $200 to $500 to rent. For buffing, you need a high-speed buffer. For polishing, you need a low-speed buffer, the polish itself, and some experience applying it evenly.
Most businesses hire professionals because:
- You don’t have to buy or store equipment.
- Pros work faster with better results.
- They carry insurance if something goes wrong.
- They know which products work on your specific floors.
About 70% of commercial buildings outsource floor maintenance rather than doing it in-house.
Get Your Floors Looking Professional Again
Your lobby floors look terrible. Clients notice when they walk in. Your team is embarrassed about the dull, scuffed appearance. You tried mopping, but that doesn’t help. You’re not sure if you need floor buffing, floor polishing, or something else entirely. And you definitely don’t have time to figure out equipment rentals and techniques.
JJ & CC Cleaning handles both floor buffing and floor polishing for commercial spaces. We inspect your floors first and tell you honestly what they need. Regular maintenance buffing? Full strip and polish? We explain everything in plain language and give you options that fit your budget. Our team works nights and weekends, so we never disrupt your business.
