Elephants of the Kitchen? What to Know About Concrete Counters
Concrete countertops are beautiful, heavy and cool — and have their own peculiarities. And a lot in common with certain gray pachyderms
Catherine Hug
May 3, 2015
Concrete countertops are a little like elephants. The obvious similarities are the gray color and heavyweight nature. And when you work with the material for a while, you learn that it has an extremely long memory. Concrete lives and ages with us, and preserves memories of our happy cooking sessions. (We can only dream of developing a patina as charming as concrete’s and also becoming more beautiful as time goes on …)
Before adding concrete countertops to your kitchen, you need to know some things about them. So we compiled the seven most important informational items and tips on caring for these gray giants.
Before adding concrete countertops to your kitchen, you need to know some things about them. So we compiled the seven most important informational items and tips on caring for these gray giants.
What is concrete? Concrete is made of natural components and is highly recyclable, provided that no special additives are used. The recipe: some cement; some gravel or sand, depending on the material consistency required; and water. When mixed, water and cement form a cement paste and, combined with the aggregate, create a hard, stone-like material.
Good partners. Maybe concrete’s natural ingredients are why it works so well with wood. And concrete countertops aren’t restricted to industrial-style kitchens. Used together, wood and concrete exude a rough yet modern charm without stealing the limelight from each other.
Good partners. Maybe concrete’s natural ingredients are why it works so well with wood. And concrete countertops aren’t restricted to industrial-style kitchens. Used together, wood and concrete exude a rough yet modern charm without stealing the limelight from each other.
Combining concrete with unusually colored materials or extravagant kitchen furnishings is a different matter. This molded “stone” is a reliable and solid partner that does not demand top billing, but can hold its own against any finish, no matter how striking. This kitchen unit in pink, which manufacturer Popstahl topped with a slim gray concrete counter, highlights the kitchen’s coolness.
Weight problems? On average, 10.7 square feet (1 square meter) of 1½-inch-thick (4-centimeter-thick) concrete countertop weighs about 220 pounds (100 kilograms). Bear this in mind when thinking about transporting one to your rented apartment on the fifth floor. And for really heavy pieces, you should check your kitchen floor’s weight rating. The countertop itself also needs a substructure sturdy enough to carry its weight.
Under certain circumstances, extremely solid structures or special shapes can only be created using hollow concrete shells. Concrete-fiberglass mixes are far lighter, but the single-sided mold leaves an unfinished side. So this method is unsuitable if all surfaces of the finished concrete component will be visible after installation.
Under certain circumstances, extremely solid structures or special shapes can only be created using hollow concrete shells. Concrete-fiberglass mixes are far lighter, but the single-sided mold leaves an unfinished side. So this method is unsuitable if all surfaces of the finished concrete component will be visible after installation.
Shape and thickness. The manufacturing process already distinguishes concrete from most other materials used as countertops in kitchens. As concrete is molded, there are almost no limits to the design possibilities you can consider in the planning phase. Do you want the countertop to blend seamlessly into the rear wall? How do you want to integrate the sink? Do you want to add a personal touch with integrated patterns or materials?
See some concrete creations with personal touches
See some concrete creations with personal touches
The only real restriction is the countertop’s thickness. To ensure sufficient stability, the elements should not be less than 3 to 4 centimeters (about 1 to 1½ inches) thick. An edge thickness of at least 5 centimeters (about 2 inches) is recommended around built-in appliances and sinks.
Thicker designs are often impossible for weight reasons. Instead, you’ll have to settle for thick visible edges of 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) or more, while the actual countertop is only 4 to 5 centimeters (about 1½ to 2 inches) thick.
Thicker designs are often impossible for weight reasons. Instead, you’ll have to settle for thick visible edges of 8 centimeters (about 3 inches) or more, while the actual countertop is only 4 to 5 centimeters (about 1½ to 2 inches) thick.
Surface finishes. As a natural material, concrete has open pores. When cared for appropriately, it ages gracefully and develops a beautiful patina. It is scratch resistant but can be damaged by splashes of acid and grease.
However, as patina doesn’t appeal to everyone, consider your priorities. Are the authenticity of the concrete countertop and an environmentally friendly surface finish important to you? If so, consider treating the countertop like wood with a layer of oil or wax, which will need refreshing every six months.
Is intensive protection important to you, to make your countertop tough and easy to care for in day-to-day use? Then coating the surface with a transparent artificial lacquer is the best option. You can choose between matte and glossy finishes, but bear in mind that the coating reduces the natural roughness. The lacquer is also heat sensitive, so hot pots will soon leave marks on the surface.
However, as patina doesn’t appeal to everyone, consider your priorities. Are the authenticity of the concrete countertop and an environmentally friendly surface finish important to you? If so, consider treating the countertop like wood with a layer of oil or wax, which will need refreshing every six months.
Is intensive protection important to you, to make your countertop tough and easy to care for in day-to-day use? Then coating the surface with a transparent artificial lacquer is the best option. You can choose between matte and glossy finishes, but bear in mind that the coating reduces the natural roughness. The lacquer is also heat sensitive, so hot pots will soon leave marks on the surface.
Daily care. Water-soluble cleaning agents or damp cloths are the tools of choice for daily cleaning of the oiled or waxed surface. Avoid scouring agents and acidic cleansers like vinegar, as they will damage the polished surface. If the surface becomes dull after a period, in spite of careful and mild cleaning, refreshing the oil or wax layer will restore the shine.
And there’s something else you should know: No matter what surface coating is used, concrete sinks are harder to clean than ceramic or stainless steel.
And there’s something else you should know: No matter what surface coating is used, concrete sinks are harder to clean than ceramic or stainless steel.
How much does a concrete countertop cost? Concrete countertops often require an individual mold, which is custom made before casting. That means that the workmanship and associated costs for manufacturing an individual concrete countertop are relatively high. Depending on the cutouts for kitchen appliances and the number of individual molds required, you can expect costs of at least $150 to $250 per square foot.
By the way, even if you usually do everything yourself at home, you should leave making concrete countertops to the professionals.
Tell us: Do you have a concrete countertop at home? We’d love to hear about your experience with it.
More guides to all the top kitchen counter materials
By the way, even if you usually do everything yourself at home, you should leave making concrete countertops to the professionals.
Tell us: Do you have a concrete countertop at home? We’d love to hear about your experience with it.
More guides to all the top kitchen counter materials
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Fairbanks, Alaska!
@100acrebooks, do you know who made them that you can contact them, I am not close to you otherwise I'd have you send pictures to our reseal team. Thank you!
@JMLifestyles, We're just outside of DC in Maryland. I did contact the artisan who did them originally, he said he could reseal them but wouldn't likely be able to repair most of the damage. He also told us we could buy an annual maintenance package where he would come re-wax them every six months. Additionally, he said I shouldn't ever leave anything wet on the counters and should always be using coasters and trivets. I get all that, its art first and function second. However, I do actually USE my kitchen, and while I am considerate of my counters, using heat proof trivets for pans/jars etc, I can't prevent them from being wet. Or getting liquids spilled on them. I'd love to have them be usable. Currently, the counter surface is coming up with the brush of a fingernail and shows every jar set down. I've resorted to a counter size silpat sheet for baking prep on the counter itself, to prevent the finish from contact with my projects. Thanks for getting back to me, it always helps to have a pro perspective!