Quick Answer

As a planning rule, budget roughly 0.5–1 metal bond disc, 0.3–0.5 transitional pad, and 0.2–0.4 resin pad per 10 m² per step for normal concrete. Rough or coated slabs double or triple metal bond consumption. For a full 17-step polish, plan 1–3 of each grit pad per 10 m² depending on the surface.

What Drives Pad Wear

• Slab hardness and condition — rough, hard or coated slabs eat metal bond pads fast.
• Grit and step — low grits (30–100#) wear fastest; fine resin pads last longest.
• Machine and pressure — heavier machines and more pressure cut faster but wear pads faster.
• Diamond quality and bond — premium pads last 1.5–3x longer than economy pads.

Typical Consumption Ranges

Phase	Pads per 10 m² per step	Notes
Metal bond grind	0.5–2	Depends heavily on slab condition
Transitional	0.3–0.8	Copper/ceramic bond
Resin polish	0.2–0.5	800–3000# last longest

How to Estimate Your Job

• Inspect the slab — do a test area first (5–10 m²) and measure actual pad wear.
• Count by step — multiply per-step consumption by floor area and steps.
• Add 10–15% buffer — for patches, edges and rework.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many steps should I quote for a standard warehouse floor?

Typically 5–7 steps: 2–3 metal bond, 1–2 transitional, 2–3 resin. Consumption per step is easier to quote than total pads.

Q: Do premium pads really last longer?

Yes — quality diamond concentration and bond tuning can triple pad life, which often lowers total cost despite the higher unit price.

Q: How do I reduce pad consumption?

Start with the correct grit (don't over-grind), keep pads flat, clean between steps, and use the right bond for the slab.

Conclusion

Budget pads by step and slab condition, run a test area to confirm real consumption, and add a buffer. Pad cost per m² drops quickly with the right bond and technique. JOY TECH can help you pick bonds that match your slab and machine.