Less dust
A strengthened concrete surface releases fewer particles, reducing floor dusting and helping keep your space cleaner.
How lithium silicate hardeners work
Crete Colors lithium silicate hardeners penetrate absorbent concrete and react within its pores. The treatment strengthens the surface and makes everyday maintenance easier.
What happens inside the concrete?
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Penetration
The liquid hardener penetrates the pores of clean, absorbent concrete, preparing the surface for strengthening from within.
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Reaction
Lithium silicate reacts with calcium hydroxide in the concrete to form additional calcium silicate hydrate (C–S–H), a compound that contributes to concrete strength.
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Densification
The newly formed compound fills part of the pore space and strengthens the concrete near the surface. The result is a denser, more wear-resistant surface with less dusting.
Simplified process diagram. It illustrates the mechanism, not a measured penetration depth or a structural repair.
What are the benefits?
Better wear resistance
A hardened surface better withstands daily wear, helping concrete floors stay durable through regular use.
Easier maintenance
Less concrete dust makes everyday cleaning easier. Crete Colors maintenance products help keep your floor clean and well maintained.
Why choose a lithium silicate floor system?
The Crete Colors system combines lithium silicate hardening with surface preparation, protection and maintenance. Compatible products work together to create durable concrete floors with less dusting and easier everyday care.
Strength from within
Lithium silicate penetrates the concrete and strengthens its surface. The hardening reaction takes place within the concrete itself, creating a denser, more wear-resistant surface.
An efficient workflow
Products and application stages are selected to suit the floor’s condition and the finish you want. From preparation to final protection, each stage has a clear purpose.
Coordinated protection and care
Hardeners improve wear resistance, protective treatments reduce absorption and staining, and maintenance products help keep the floor clean and in good condition.
Solutions for every stage of your concrete floor
Freshly placed concrete
C² Cure combines curing and lithium silicate hardening in one product. On freshly placed, smooth, steel-trowelled floors, it helps retain moisture for curing and develop a stronger surface with less dusting.
Cured concrete
C² Hard strengthens and densifies cured concrete, preparing the floor for everyday use. Cleaning and removal of curing residues or coatings that prevent penetration help the hardener absorb evenly.
Existing concrete
C² Super Hard helps strengthen porous, worn concrete surfaces and reduce dusting. Cleaning, any necessary grinding and repair of damaged areas prepare the floor for further hardening and protection.
Where can it be used?
Industry and warehouses
Durable concrete floors for everyday work: less dusting, better wear resistance and easier cleaning. We select hardening and protection to suit traffic and the activities in your facility.
Retail and public spaces
An attractive concrete finish with practical everyday care. The Crete Colors system combines surface hardening with a choice of finishes and stain protection for shops, showrooms and public spaces.
Homes
The natural character of concrete for a modern home. A tailored combination of finishing, hardening and protection helps create attractive, easy-care floors for your living spaces.
Efficient work, simpler maintenance
A coordinated workflow
The Crete Colors system connects preparation, hardening, protection and maintenance in one clear workflow. Selecting the right treatments for the concrete helps avoid unnecessary steps and use labour, equipment and materials efficiently.
Work planned around your business
We plan the treatment stages and return to use around your site and the selected system. This helps coordinate the work with day-to-day operations and reduce disruption.
Easier everyday care
Hardening reduces dusting, while suitable protection and cleaning products help keep floors looking good and easy to maintain. Making use of sound existing concrete also saves materials that would otherwise be needed for a new floor covering.
Less time. Fewer materials. Lower project costs.*
The value of the Crete Colors system lies in the complete workflow: preparation, hardening, protection and maintenance. Choosing a process with fewer application steps can shorten the work and reduce labour and equipment costs. This 10,000 m² hardening example shows where those savings can begin.*
130 fewer labour hours*
79 instead of 209 labour hours: less crew time on the job and capacity for other work. With the same crew size, this can shorten the application schedule.*
1,330 fewer litres*
670 instead of 2,000 litres: less product to transport, handle and apply. Material cost is calculated using the quantity and price of each product.*
Compare the complete cost*
Compare labour, materials, equipment and maintenance together. The Crete Colors system can offer better project value than choosing by price per litre alone.*
In this example, C² lithium hardening requires no scrubbing or flushing, compared with a sodium silicate process that includes both steps. The figures below cover this hardening stage; preparation, finishing and protection are planned as part of the complete system.
| Metric | C² lithium densifier | Sodium silicate densifier |
|---|---|---|
| Labour hours | 79 h* | 209 h* |
| Material use | 670 L at 15 m²/L* | 2,000 L at 5 m²/L* |
* Illustrative comparison of the hardening stage for 10,000 m², based on the Crete Colors Dustproofing flyer: a C² lithium densifier process without scrubbing or flushing versus a sodium silicate process requiring both. Assumptions: 79 versus 209 labour hours; coverage of 15 versus 5 m²/L; product volumes rounded in the source to 670 versus 2,000 L. Differences: 130 labour hours (about 62%) and 1,330 L (about 67%), calculated relative to the sodium silicate example. Labour hours mean total person-hours, not elapsed project duration. These figures concern this process example, not all sodium silicate products or the complete floor system. They are not monetary savings or a guaranteed project result. Actual costs depend on concrete condition, preparation, selected treatments, site conditions, productivity and unit prices. For a project-specific estimate, these inputs are assessed separately.
Environmental benefits
0 g/L VOC in hardeners
Strengthen concrete with water-based lithium silicate technology. C² Hard and C² Super Hard have a volatile organic compound (VOC) content of 0 g/L.
Less water and waste
Choosing a hardening process without scrubbing and flushing saves rinse water and reduces the wastewater that needs to be collected and managed. A simpler process helps use resources efficiently.
Make more of existing floors
Hardening, protection and regular care help concrete floors stay durable and attractive for longer. Retaining a sound existing floor makes use of materials already in place and reduces the need for demolition and replacement.
Hardening, protection and maintenance
A complete Crete Colors system brings together a stronger surface, protection against absorption and stains, and straightforward everyday care. Hardening strengthens the concrete, while a suitable protective finish helps preserve its appearance and makes cleaning easier. We select the products and finish to suit your floor, its use and the look you want.
Find the right system for your floor
Tell us about your floor and the result you want. We will help you choose a Crete Colors system, plan the treatment stages and estimate product quantities. A trial area helps confirm the finish and coverage, giving you a clear basis for planning the work.