Concrete
Countertops
Concrete is
becoming an increasingly popular choice for countertop
materials. These handcrafted counters offer a unique and
interesting look to any surface area. Concrete countertops are
a warm natural looking material that corresponds with the
popularity of more natural materials like wood, stone, and
brick.
Chemical
stains, coloring pigments, various aggregates, and epoxy
coatings can give concrete the look, texture, and feel of
quarried stone such as marble, granite, and limestone.
Concrete countertops can be customized to form any shape, size
or surface finish, which is the main advantage of this
surface.
Concrete
countertops are a unique, personal countertop option
because they are made from scratch for each client.
![concre24[1].jpg](images/Img9.jpg)
Some of the nice
features about concrete countertops are that they can be
formed into non-traditional shapes and completely personalized
designs and can integrate sinks, drainboards and butcher
blocks right into the kitchen countertop.
This close-up shows how a
drain board can be crafted right into the kitchen countertop
for food preparation.
The
biggest attraction of having concrete is that you have the
same benefits of solid surfacing options like seamless
countertops and integrated sinks and drainboards and
such but you have a product that looks more like natural
stone. Even though solid surfacing has come a very long
way and has many beautiful patterns now that look like stone,
concrete by far still looks more like natural
stone.
This photo
shows an integrated sink built into the countertop. This photo
is actually NuCrete which is a stainless concrete product also
talked about in the eBook.
Concrete countertops
also resist heat, although quick temperature changes on
newly installed slabs might cause curling or
warping but this can be avoided by setting hot pots and pans
on trivets.
On the downside concrete countertops are
porous and susceptible to staining so they need to be sealed
upon installation and waxed every 3 months to protect the
sealant and cutting on concrete will leave a mark on the
surface, but using cutting boards, as you should with any
countertop surface, should avoid that issue.
Veining, texture and color vary, and
regular use impacts a warm patina to the surface over
time.
Objects like shells,
coins, glass, tiles or anything you like can also be embedded
in the surface for a completely customized Terrazzo
that adds personality.
Despite what you might think,
concrete countertops are quite expensive, rivaling some
granites and marbles. Not because concrete is valuable, but
because the installation is difficult and requires a high
level of skill and experience to do well.
The price of the
concrete countertop is composed of the countertop
construction, shipping (if required), and
installation.
Prices to Manufacture
Concrete Countertops
Standard 1.5" thick concrete
countertops range from $65 to $130 per square foot.
These items add to the
cost:
- Irregular or curved shapes.
- 2" thick concrete.
- Integral drain boards
- Custom edges
- Back splashes
Large orders sometimes reduce the
cost.
Shipping
Costs
Countertop
contractors in almost all cases install their own product in
their market area. So there would be no shipping expense.
Shipping method and carrier, for those firms that do ship,
varies by contractor. Discuss this with the
contractor.
Installation
Costs
Installation, when done by the
countertop contractors, runs in the $40-$50 per hour, per
person, range.
Other
installations, such as when the countertop has been shipped,
should be done by a contractor experienced in installing
countertops. Rates for this would vary by region of the
country. The countertops arrive to the site in a completed
state and there should be no modifications
required.
Here is a link for finding a concrete
contractor in your
area. Concrete
Network
More Concrete Countertop
Links:
DIY Concrete
Countertops
DIY concrete
countertops seem to be a very popular subject
lately. However, making a concrete countertop will depend on
your skill level and the complexity of the project. An
understanding of the vital basics is necessary. There
are many supplies and tools needed for building a concrete
countertop.
Some of these include:
countertop molds, a casting table, concrete countertop mix, a
concrete mixer, reinforcing materials, coloring pigments,
knockouts for sinks and faucets, and much more.
Concrete countertops require
an understanding of proper concrete mix and reinforcement to
prevent cracks. It is also useful to have an understanding of
countertop sealers. Many experienced contractors design and
mix their own sealer combinations for best results—valuable
knowledge they have learned from trial and error.
Building and reinforcement,
and proper concrete mix design are the two biggest issues
professional concrete contractors face with concrete
countertops.
If you build your own
countertops, you will have to decide whether or not to build
them in a shop and transport them to their final location, or
if you will build them in-place. Oftentimes, building a
countertop in-place can be an inconvenience and can make for a
messy workspace.
However, this is a good
solution for building long countertop runs with no seams, or
when heavy or oddly-shaped countertops cannot be carried into
a home or fit through a doorway. This is also a good solution
if your countertop will be located outside, on a barbecue, for
instance.
If you feel you want
to try to tackle a do-it yourself concrete countertop
here are a couple of links to some diy
concrete countertops sites:
Cheng Concrete
Exchange
Builders
Bookshop
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