Concrete countertops comes in two forms, pre-cast or cast in place.
- Pre-Cast - these are slabs of concrete that are made to specific sizes and then cut to fit. Seams will be visible, but offer better consistency and can provide a wider range of looks.
- Cast in Place - No seams and less turn around time. You will be limited on the design choices. Also consider you home will become the work place for the concrete craftsmen.
Pre-Cast concrete is manufactured in slab form and then cut to fit your cabinets. The slabs are made of a concrete base with an added aggregate of glass, shells and bottles.
The major advantage with Pre-Cast is the quality control of a factory manufactured slab. After the aggregate is added, the slab is machined to create a nice, flat finish, exposing the aggregate. They will still need to be sealed on a regular basis.
Cast-in-Place concrete countertops are a recent trend in the countertop world. Concrete is composed of a hardened mixture of water, cement and sand or gravel. Generally speaking concrete lends itself to a somewhat contemporary look and feel. However, concrete artisans can create very custom looks by adding a variety of things such as stones, pigment, glass, tile or other items.
The benefits to cast-in-place concrete countertops is they can be installed in just about any layout. It can be textured, troweled, or smooth pressed to create different looks. The types of edges that can be created are only limited by your imagination since it is a poured surface. There are also a number of different integrated features that can be incorporated such as custom drain boards and integrated sinks. It is also a somewhat scratch and heat resistant surface.
Drawbacks of the concrete countertop are that it is a porous surface and is often treated with a lacquer sealer to help resist stains and water damage. Depending on the texture, often times concrete fabricators also recommend regular waxing in order to help protect and seal the surface. Over time, because of the weight of concrete, as cabinets and homes shift and settle cracks may appear in countertops. Also, cast in place concrete countertops have no material or installation warranty.
It is also very important to find an experienced fabricator / installer when considering concrete countertops. If a countertop is not properly installed, problems like spalling or warping can occur as much as 6 months after the installation.
Concrete counters are good choices in both residential and commercial settings as long as they are cleaned and maintained properly and regularly. Regular cleaning with antibacterial cleaners and sealing are recommended.
Although it is possible to repair concrete countertops, repairs are generally very noticeable. The most common repair is a crack in the surface. Once a crack appears more concrete, caulking or epoxy resins can be used to fill such cracks, however the repair generally does not blend well with the existing surface.
MANUFACTURERS:
- Local Concrete Fabricators (Cast-in-Place)
- Vetrazzo
- IceStone
- VitraStone
- Squak Mountain Stone
- Syndecrete
- Lithistone
- Eco-Terr
PROS - Unique look and feel, recycled components can be added, custom look with cast in place concrete.
CONS - Cast in Place can be expensive, porous, must be sealed, repairs are very noticeable.
CARE & CLEANING - Avoid abrasive and ammonia based cleaners. For daily cleaning, use a product like Simple Green.
WARRANTY - Cast-in-Place offers no warranty except from the individual fabricator. Pre-Cast offers various warranties ranging from 1 to 10 years.
COST - The cost to install concrete countertops is generally high, ranging from $65 – over $100 square foot. The more custom the job becomes, the more the cost will rise. Things like custom concrete sinks can add upwards of
$800 - $2000. Other custom features such as custom edges, drain board, textures and the addition of pigments, veining, tiles, etc. can also drive the cost up.
Concrete countertops comes in two forms, pre-cast or cast in place.
- Pre-Cast - these are slabs of concrete that are made to specific sizes and then cut to fit. Seams will be visible, but offer better consistency and can provide a wider range of looks.
- Cast in Place - No seams and less turn around time. You will be limited on the design choices. Also consider you home will become the work place for the concrete craftsmen.
Pre-Cast concrete is manufactured in slab form and then cut to fit your cabinets. The slabs are made of a concrete base with an added aggregate of glass, shells and bottles.
The major advantage with Pre-Cast is the quality control of a factory manufactured slab. After the aggregate is added, the slab is machined to create a nice, flat finish, exposing the aggregate. They will still need to be sealed on a regular basis.
Cast-in-Place concrete countertops are a recent trend in the countertop world. Concrete is composed of a hardened mixture of water, cement and sand or gravel. Generally speaking concrete lends itself to a somewhat contemporary look and feel. However, concrete artisans can create very custom looks by adding a variety of things such as stones, pigment, glass, tile or other items.
The benefits to cast-in-place concrete countertops is they can be installed in just about any layout. It can be textured, troweled, or smooth pressed to create different looks. The types of edges that can be created are only limited by your imagination since it is a poured surface. There are also a number of different integrated features that can be incorporated such as custom drain boards and integrated sinks. It is also a somewhat scratch and heat resistant surface.
Drawbacks of the concrete countertop are that it is a porous surface and is often treated with a lacquer sealer to help resist stains and water damage. Depending on the texture, often times concrete fabricators also recommend regular waxing in order to help protect and seal the surface. Over time, because of the weight of concrete, as cabinets and homes shift and settle cracks may appear in countertops. Also, cast in place concrete countertops have no material or installation warranty.
It is also very important to find an experienced fabricator / installer when considering concrete countertops. If a countertop is not properly installed, problems like spalling or warping can occur as much as 6 months after the installation.
Concrete counters are good choices in both residential and commercial settings as long as they are cleaned and maintained properly and regularly. Regular cleaning with antibacterial cleaners and sealing are recommended.
Although it is possible to repair concrete countertops, repairs are generally very noticeable. The most common repair is a crack in the surface. Once a crack appears more concrete, caulking or epoxy resins can be used to fill such cracks, however the repair generally does not blend well with the existing surface.
MANUFACTURERS:
- Local Concrete Fabricators (Cast-in-Place)
- Vetrazzo
- IceStone
- VitraStone
- Squak Mountain Stone
- Syndecrete
- Lithistone
- Eco-Terr
PROS - Unique look and feel, recycled components can be added, custom look with cast in place concrete.
CONS - Cast in Place can be expensive, porous, must be sealed, repairs are very noticeable.
CARE & CLEANING - Avoid abrasive and ammonia based cleaners. For daily cleaning, use a product like Simple Green.
WARRANTY - Cast-in-Place offers no warranty except from the individual fabricator. Pre-Cast offers various warranties ranging from 1 to 10 years.
COST - The cost to install concrete countertops is generally high, ranging from $65 – over $100 square foot. The more custom the job becomes, the more the cost will rise. Things like custom concrete sinks can add upwards of
$800 - $2000. Other custom features such as custom edges, drain board, textures and the addition of pigments, veining, tiles, etc. can also drive the cost up.