Concrete Counters -- do you like them? Pics please!

15 years ago

I went to a home show this weekend and saw several homes with concrete counters in the kitchens and in basement wet bars. I was really surprised that I like them! They were lovely, stained a neutral, warm color and they felt very smooth. I know nothing about them -- cost, durability, positives, negatives, etc...

So I thought I would start here. Do you have them? What do you think? I would love to know the cost compared to a base level granite which is probably what we were figuring on for our kitchen.

Do you have pics?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

sher_nc
15 years ago
DH was interested in concrete counters but our KD said in our area it's hard to find people who know how to install them, so it could be pricey. I like them too though, hopefully you get some feedback from people who actually have them!
greenthumbfish
15 years ago
I've heard good things about concrete, but have no 1st hand knowledge. I found this info handy:

Countertop Prices/Cost (Source is Consumer Reports):
* Ceramic Tile: $45-$90/per sq ft.
* Laminate: $10-$30/per sq ft.
* Butcher Block: $40-$65/per sq ft.
* Solid Surface: $35-$80/per sq ft.
* Granite: $40-$100/per sq. ft.
* Marble: $40-$100/per sq. ft.
* Quartz: $45-$90/per sq. ft.
* Limestone: $60-$100/per sq. ft.
* Concrete: $80-$120/per sq. ft.
* Stainless Steel: $70-$120/per sq. ft.

HTH
Related Discussions
Ok everyone..Kumquat pics, please? Why you like?
Q
Comments (50)
Okay here it is guys, a three year tree from Four Winds! It's a fukushu kumquat. And i love it! It already had perfect shape so i didn't prune any. I picked all the orange fruit except for one. The foliage is really dense and beautiful. The leaves don't really smell, but that fruit tastes so sweet (for a kumquat!) Definitely the best one I've had! Thank you gardenweb for showing me how to successfully grow container citrus, you all are a great community. IM only 19, by I've done some stuff mentioned here, like attaining ingredients for the gritty mix. Fir bark- pets Mart Crushed granite- tractor supply co 100% diatomaceous earth- o reillys auto parts, oil absorber. My key lime from seed sure appreciates the gritty mix as it was the first one to go in it and has elongated and put out new leaves the day since! Everyone should have WELL draining soil, it does magic! Best of luck, from MONTANA!
...See More
Do you like your concrete countertop or copper sink?Tuscan photos
Q
Comments (7)
Thank you everyone for your feedback and photo. Keep it coming! I don't know ANYONE who has concrete countertops. So, cabinfo, I'm impressed that you poured this yourself! My husband and I are only minor DIY'ers and pouring your own concrete countertop falls into the "Major DIY" category. Your countertop appears fairly smooth, is it pretty easy to clean? I'd love to see a photo of your whole countertop. My main concern with the concrete is everything you all have mentioned, the eventual cracking, staining, difficulty to clean and basic maintenance. I'm wondering if it depends on the concrete company doing it or if it's just that "all concrete WILL eventually crack". It's a fairly expensive proposition and I don't want to have any regrets. I do have a friend who has had a copper farm sink in her kitchen for about a year and she loves it. She said she just wipes it out and occasionally wipes it down with some sort of polish or wax. She did say that you have to be careful with acidic things like vinegar and citric fruits because it will change the color of the sink, but she said eventually the color returns back to normal.
...See More
Picture HELP Please - Black Hood (do you like it? pics inside)
Q
Comments (10)
Thank you all for the comments. bahacca - thank you for pointing out the strength of the black hood as a design element. I need to narrow my focus and decide what will be center stage. colorlady - I've always had a soft spot for exposed brick. Did you see the brick in the first kitchen picture? My concern is how to keep it clean/dusted -- especially behind a range! francoise - you have nice taste :) My new stove is stainless and I'm surprised at how easily it shows dust. I have a stainless DW too, but it's on the window wall in our galley kitchen presently and doesn't get any light on it. The stove is across from the window and shows everything. I think the black might be as bad? I like the brick here and the beams! [other design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/other-home-design-ideas-phbr1-bp~r_33) by apartmenttherapy.com This is my range http://shopping.yahoo.com/44555839-ge-profile-pgb910semss-gas-range/ Here is a link that might be useful: My Range - has stainless top
...See More
Kitchen Remodel Before/After Pics-Do you like??
Q
Comments (46)
This is one of the best transformations I have seen! Looks like brand new custom cabinets with the expensive upgrade to the paint with a hand glazed or highlight on the door detail. I can't even believe the budget! DIYers, now here is your textbook example...this is how it's done people! Oh and you will get a big kick out of this....I didn't read your original comments at first because I just couldn't wait to start looking through all the amazing pictures. So when I got to one that shows the electric fireplace (not turned on), I thought, "Oh what a fabulous pet bed nook all trimmed out for a Royal pooch" LOL!!! The fireplace is an awesome idea! But hey, this could've worked too huh? :-D
...See More
rhome410
15 years ago
There is a good DIY concrete counter thread going right now, which I'll link below.

BTW, concerning the prices given by Consumer Reports for anyone interested in SS counters...Our stainless counters were $17/sq ft. We had them done by a local sheet metal shop and installed them easily ourselves. A carpenter or GC on a project could probably do that part.

Anyway, back to concrete, which we love the looks of, too. There is a great video by Fu Tung Cheng available on the Concreteexchange.com site, and there are probably more pictures on chengdesign.com. Concrete can stain and etch, but there are ways to limit that if you're willing to do the upkeep. I'd think different colors and finish textures would be easier to keep looking nice than others. We were going to do concrete counters in parts of our new kitchen, but time prevented it. We did, though, put in extra thick counters (laminate) so we can change them for concrete later.

Here is a link that might be useful: concrete counters thread
dcclerk
15 years ago
I have no pictures for you because we just started our build. We plan on having them in just one bathroom. I really like them and even own both the video and the book by Fu Tung Cheng because one day long, long ago, I thought that I would be able to convince DH to try DIYing concrete countertops in our old house.

My understanding is that it is quite a bit more expensive than base level granite. It also has the potential to stain and crack. Still, I think that an integrated sink with a concrete countertop is just gorgeous. I also think it does a fantastic job of going both super contemporary or quite traditional, just by changing of the color and any insets.
azstoneconsulting
15 years ago
I don't offer them - as I am pretty set in my ways with
being a Natural Stone Fabricator..

HOWEVER...with that being said,

My wife and I have a very dear friend of ours that has
Conrete Counters in her home and they look terrific.

They have been installed for almost 10 years, and they
really look good, and she is very happy with them too.

It all boils downt to what YOU want in YOUR home...

to each their own I say

kevin
greenthumbfish
15 years ago
rhome410, what size did you spec the thickness?

Thx!
rhome410
15 years ago
greenthumbfish, we would fabricate our own, and want them at least 2" for strength and a beefy look, so decided to use 3 sheets of countertop material to total 2 1/4"...Then we'll just create the forms at that same depth.

Concrete Counters -- do you like them? Pics please!

Comments (7)

sher_nc

greenthumbfish

Related Discussions

rhome410

dcclerk

azstoneconsulting

greenthumbfish

rhome410

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US