 Concrete
Countertops: A Custom Look
Ups and Downs
Personal Touches
Cleaning Concrete
Especially perfect for unusually shaped countertops,
concrete surfaces are strong, heat and scratch resistant, and textured.
These countertops are custom fit and usually cast right in your home.
Although they can be on the expensive side, concrete counters are much
stronger than any other natural surface. These counters can be color-tinted
with creative colors and inlays and have various textured feels.
Concrete surfaces are made entirely of natural
materials. A mixture of water, cement, sand, stone and pigment creates the
material. Concrete must be sealed properly to resist strains and water
damage.
Cost: About $75 to
$200 per square foot.
Ups and Downs:
| PROS | CONS |
|
Can be worked into different shapes and custom details. |
Proper sealing is required to resist stain and
wax is needed to protect the sealer. |
| Resists scratches and heat
damage. |
Cutting boards need to be used. |
| Comes in a variety of colors
and textures. |
Quick temperature changes can cause curling or
warping to newly installed slabs. |
| Custom cast to your exact
specifications. |
Mid to high range on cost due to custom work. |
| Much stronger than any other
natural surface. |
Cracking is possible and concrete is porous,
although it can be sealed. |
| Offers an exotic and unusual
look. |
|
Personal Touches
Along with being expressive and aesthetic on its own, embedded vintage
tiles, shells or other objects can add personality to concrete
countertops. For an ultra-personalized look, carve in your initials! With
casting, shaping, and other methods, concrete can have a variety of
textures. Concrete will always be unique with all of the different pigments,
stains, and aggregate colors that are offered.
Cleaning Concrete
Although heat and scratch resistant, concrete countertops do require some
maintenance. Spills should be rinsed promptly and using abrasive cleaners
should be avoided. It is also suggested that concrete be waxed every one to
three months and resealed every one to two years.
You should not cut directly on concrete or place hot pans on it. Although
heat resistant, damage and discoloring to the sealer can still occur when
material is exposed to high temperatures. If concrete is not sealed than it
is porous and will stain.
Concrete is very durable, noncombustible and resistant to decay. On the
other hand, concrete countertops can crack from natural shrinkage, and
trying to patch them can make the cracks more obvious. Many people who opt
for concrete surfaces embrace their hairline cracks and irregularities,
because they give a natural and authentic look to the concrete. Also, the
hairline cracks are nonstructural.
For more information about concrete countertops contact Express Countertops.
Call or use the estimate button above to request your free estimate and have
your new countertops installed in 1 week - guaranteed!
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