Kitchen Concrete countertops

Countertops made of concrete are versatile and very practical. They can be transformed into almost any shape, and the possibilities for their design and style are endless. They can be polished, stained, stamped, or ground. They can also be embedded with objects for decorative and aesthetic purposes. Kitchen Concrete countertops are highly durable and relatively easy to maintain.

Material

Concrete countertops are made of a mix of sand stone, stone, and cement. Other proprietary ingredients can be added to make a unique blend or to enhance a characteristic. Some formulas for concrete surfaces even have 20 different mixes for extra strength.

Thickness

Concrete countertops are usually cast with a thickness of 1 ½ inch to two inches. They are often cured with a mesh bar or wire mesh for strength and durability. Concrete countertops are dyed so they come in different colors and all shades. The concrete dye that is used to color the surface is permanent and does not fade overtime. The concrete surface can also be sculpted to any edge profile.

Curing

Concrete countertops require curing, a process where water and cement reacts with each other. In the curing process, the cement must be kept moist so that it can form crystals to harden the cement. Curing can take up to 28 days, and afterwards, a penetrating sealer and wax is applied on the surface to seal the pores.

Weight

Countertops can weigh around 16 pounds to 23 pounds per square foot, depending on the thickness. Longer countertops are difficult to carry, so manufacturers do not normally fabricate concrete countertops that are over 10 feet in length. Concrete countertops can be cast on site or in separate sections before installation.

Resistance

Concrete countertops are resistant to heat, cutting, abrasion, and staining. However, how much resistance they have depends a lot on the quality of the concrete mix and the fabrication of the countertop. Make sure you get the services of a trusted contractor. To be sure, you can take home a product sample and test its resistance.

Design

Concrete countertops are usually custom made. Fabricating them requires a great amount of skill and workmanship, so concrete countertops can be quite costly. Its manufacturing process is actually considered a sophisticated art.

Costs

The concrete mix that makes up the surface of a concrete countertop is relatively expensive, but the process of handcrafting the countertop can make the price even higher. Concrete countertops can cost $68 to $150 per square foot, but this price only covers the concrete surface. The price can get higher with the addition of inserts, embedded items, profiles, and special grinding. Each of these details can add 15% more to the original price. The inclusion of backsplashes that cost around $15 to $25 per lineal foot can also raise the price.