It’s a somewhat rare sensation to walk into a building and immediately have the senses spring to life in surprise. For example, catching a glimpse of a gleaming, glistening floor that greets visitors and beckons guests to stride confidently into a new space. Even walking on it feels a little different, perhaps even privileged. That’s the power of burnishing. Burnishing is an old word, and it sounds labor-intensive. In truth, however, it can be an excellent choice for cleaning and maintaining floors, especially those looking for that ‘wow’ effect from building occupants.  

Burnishing can involve differing degrees of human labor and precision depending on tool selection and strategy. It can be a valuable technique for achieving a visually appealing and well-maintained floor. By understanding budgetary limitations, floor type compatibility, and cost-effective alternatives, facility managers can develop a cleaning strategy that ensures a gleaming floor without an overbearing financial commitment.  

From an aesthetic perspective, a clean and sparkling floor helps contribute to a positive first impression and a safe environment for occupants in just about any institutional setting, making the correct maintenance decisions paramount. 

Deciding on a burnishing strategy starts with a thorough understanding of the building’s layout.  

“If you’re going to build a new building, you need to talk to the architects, because they’re concerned with aesthetics and not how easy the floors are to clean,” according to Rob McNealy, past president of the Safer Walkways Association. “I recommend an annual walkway audit of your facility to find out what your Co-efficient of Friction (COF) is on your floor surfaces and assess the potential risk of slips and falls.” 

For facility managers in school settings, for example, maintaining a clean and visually appealing environment is critical and an expected part of the job. However, budget concerns and time/staffing limitations often require creative solutions. When it comes to floor care, burnishing presents managers with a unique solution that works sensibly for facility operators. Several factors make it an appealing choice: limited tool requirements, suitability for schools and offices with staffing challenges, and can be conducted on a convenient timetable.  

But Why Burnish?  

Overall, burnishing remains a top choice for giving floors that gleaming, glistening curb appeal that leaves a strong impression on visitors and occupants alike. Burnishing typically utilizes a high-speed buffing machine to improve the floor's overall appearance — a simple goal with a simple outcome. It works particularly well for buildings with wide hallways and open areas. 

The burnishing machine's rotating head spins a floor pad at high speeds, generating friction that heats the floor surface slightly. This heat, combined with the abrasive action of the pad, removes a microscopic layer of the floor's wear layer, creating a smooth, polished surface that reflects light more effectively. 

“You’re going to be counter-productive if there are a lot of tight hallways and a lot of stuff in the area,” says Kurt Amig, vice president of sales, Quaker City Paper Company, York, Pennsylvania.  

Burnishing, in general, doesn't directly remove dirt or scratches — but rather works deeper, manipulating the existing surface layer to create a more uniform shine and enhance the light reflection qualities of the flooring material. 

Beyond aesthetics, burnishing offers quite a few practical benefits, such as making the surfacing safer for most people that will be walking on it. It can improve the grip by creating a microscopically textured surface, reducing the risk of slips and falls. 

“The biggest misconception in the industry is that shiny floors are slippery,” says Joel Craddock, president of Doc’s Facilities Consulting, Rochester, New York. “The shinier the floor, the higher the COF when you’re on a resilient floor that has floor finish. When the floors get dull, that’s when they’re more slippery.” 

Burnishing can also result in enhanced durability for the lifetime of the floor; a polished surface helps to protects the floor from scratches and scuffs, extending its lifespan and making sure the resources of the facility are well-spent — not to mention pedestrian-friendly. 

There’s also the matter of easier maintenance. Having a smooth, glassy surface can help to simplify everyday cleaning by making dust and debris less likely to stick to the textured surface and thus easier to remove. 

For some such facilities, with regular burnishing requirements and a consistent schedule, ride-on burnishers may prove an economical choice.  

“They’re more productive, they’re all battery-operated, and a rider burnisher gives you more of a propane-burnisher look and finish — propane being the best possible performance you can get in burnishing,” says Tom Wenzlick, sales rep for Lansing Sanitary Supply, Lansing, Michigan. 

However, burnishing isn't a magic solution. It’s not perfect, takes some heavy lifting and unique tools, and can be time-intensive — something that may not be ideal for cleaners in a school setting where occupants constantly need to come-and-go.  

From a frontline perspective, a janitor tasked with burnishing floors essentially takes on the role of a floor-polishing specialist. Their primary responsibility is to utilize a high-speed buffing machine to create a high-gloss shine on compatible floor surfaces.  

Burnishing is best done during low-traffic periods to minimize disruption and allow for a thorough job. This could be evenings, weekends, or during school breaks for institutions. When it comes to frequency, though, it depends on the floor's condition and traffic level. A well-maintained floor in a low-traffic area may only require burnishing once or twice a year. 

Flooring Types 

Not all flooring types are suitable candidates for the burnishing treatment. Ideally, burnished floors should be resilient, with a smooth and wear layer specifically designed for this process. There are some floor types that typically show up in educational settings: Vinyl Composition Tile (VCT) is a most common choice for schools and is found just about everywhere due to versatility and durability. VCT comes in various grades that serve different purposes. Before cleaning, though, ensure that the VCT has a compatible wear layer for burnishing. 

Similar to VCT, some linoleum flooring varieties can be burnished, and are served well by it. Again, it must be specifically designed to hold up to burnishing but can be a long-lasting solution that looks nice. 

Often found in older buildings, terrazzo can benefit from burnishing, but requires professional expertise due to its abrasive nature, and it can be a bit more fragile. Maybe not the best surface to experiment with burnishing on, but more experienced hands could work wonders. 

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Floor Equipment Choice Makes All the Difference



POSTED ON: 7/15/2024