Why choose concrete countertops?

Concrete is an alternative surfacing material that offers unsurpassed versatility. It is warm, personal and unique to you!

Concrete lets you personalize your countertops in ways no other material allows. Customize the color to evoke a mood or match a particular decor. Select aggregates to add visual texture, or add colored glass chips for sparkle, depth and vibrant color. Embed shells to create a seaside motif, or steel shavings to add mystery, surprise and whimsy.

Every casting is custom made and thus is inherently unique; no one else will have countertops like yours. Concrete is different.

How much do they cost?

Even though it is a completely custom material, concrete is competitive in price with other high-end surfaces such as granite. Contact us for an estimate on your project. We can help you with options to fit your budget.

Will they stain?

Concrete has approximately the same porosity as marble and therefore should be sealed with an appropriate sealer for its application/location. As with any natural stone, acids (especially red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar) can etch the surface if not cleaned up right away. We use 3 types of sealers for different applications. Choose from penetrating only, hybrid penetrating / topical, or entirely topical. We can discuss which sealer is best suited to your expectations and the pros and cons of each.

Are they rough?

Concrete countertops are nothing like a driveway or a sidewalk. All surfaces are hand-polished with diamond hones for a smooth, silky texture.

How thick are the countertops? Are they heavy?

The standard slab thickness is 1.5 inches, therefore it weighs a little more than standard-thickness granite. The minimum thickness for countertops is 1.5 inches, since less than 1.5 inches would be too thin to provide adequate strength. Backsplashes are cast separately and are 1-inch thick. Thicker countertops are possible, limited only by the load-carrying capacity of the cabinets and floor.

You won't need special cabinets to support standard thickness concrete countertops. Virtually any cabinet on the market will suffice.

Can I cut on them?

Cutting on your countertops can damage the sealer, resulting in increased susceptibility to staining and therefore is not recommended. Cutting on the concrete will also ruin your knives, requiring a professional sharpening to reshape the damaged edge. We suggest using a cutting board for these tasks and can design a permanent location in the concrete surface to receive one.

Can they be damaged by heat?

Concrete is heat-resistant but is subject to thermal shock if a red-hot object is placed directly upon it. Like granite, the exposed area may flake or chip away if too much heat is applied. In addition, the heat could damage the sealer and wax applied to the surface. We recommend using trivets for hot cookware.

Can they be repaired?

Scratches, such as from cutting on the countertops with a knife, can be repaired. Most often, the scratches are within the layer of sealer that is applied.

It is highly unlikely that your countertops would chip, unless you hit them with a hammer or dropped a very heavy object in a corner. If this occurs, it is possible to patch concrete so as to minimize the appearance of the patch. However, chipping is very unlikely and could only result from extreme abuse of the countertops.

How do I clean and maintain them?

Washing your countertop with mild soap and water is the best method of cleaning. Be wary of cleansers and abrasive pads as they may have solvents and abrasives that can harm, scratch, or etch the surface of your countertop. Ultimately, prevention is the best defenseâ?"be sure to wipe up any potentially acidic liquids like wine, vinegar and other substances like lemon or tomato juice immediately.

How are they made?

Precast concrete countertops are cast in a shop on specially designed casting tables. Each cast begins with a custom, hand-made mold that is tailored to your particular configuration. The concrete is then poured into the mold.

After the slabs have cured and are strong enough to move, they are finished by hand to give them a smooth, beautiful surface.

Once the finishing is complete, the concrete is sealed to provide some level of stain resistance and to enhance its beauty. After that, they're ready for delivery and installation.

What can I expect from my countertops?

You can expect enduring beauty for many years to come. Details of cleaning, maintenance, and staining depend on the sealer.

By its very nature, concrete exhibits subtle variations in color and texture which contribute significantly to its beauty. These variations are the inherent qualities of concrete that appeal to many clients. Fine hairline cracks may occur which don't compromise the slab's structural integrity but add to the countertop's character.

What are the color options?

Any color, including white, grays, black, reds, browns, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, and purples are available. We can color match to a paint chip if necessary, results will vary somewhat due to the variation in the material.

Is concrete a â?ogreenâ? (environmentally friendly) building material?

Concrete has great â?ogreenâ? potential in that it:

* is produced locally and doesnâ?Tt incur high energy costs to transport
* is not extracted from the environment (such as natural stone)
* allows for post-consumer (recycled) materials, such as glass, to be used in the manufacturing process, which reduces the amount of raw materials used
* permits for up to 50% of Portland cement (concreteâ?Ts primary ingredient, the manufacture of which produces carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas) to be substituted with supplementary cementing materials such as

1. Fly ash, a by-product of coal mining
2. Silica fume, a by-product created in the manufacture of silicon alloys
3. Ground granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product of iron and steel manufacture)