When it comes to countertops, there are a lot of options on the market these days: granite, quartz, laminates, wood and concrete are just some of the possibilities. So why are so many homeowners choosing concrete countertops? Decorative concrete offers a creative and affordable way to change up the look in your kitchen and bathroom while delivering advantages that other materials can’t, especially when it comes to versatility and practicality. Concrete countertops can be designed to order, including color, shape, size, finish and edge, bringing a completely customizable look that can be tailored to your home’s design style.
VERSATILITY
Color options. Decorative concrete countertops offer endless color options, including integral color chemical stains and water-based stains. Prepare samples ahead of time so you know exactly what the final color will be. Color can enhance the pattern and texture of decorative concrete, bringing a huge impact to the overall design effect.
Texture / Pattern. Texture and pattern set the tone for the overall look of any decorative concrete project. Herein lies the beauty of concrete countertops, which can be created to mimic slate, granite, natural stone, brick, antiqued finishes, and more. Concrete countertops can be further customized with inserts and inlays, such as pebbles, sea glass, mini tiles and more.
Shape. Concrete countertops can be cast in any shape and size. This goes a long way in allowing homeowners to customize kitchen and bathroom countertops to their space and personal needs. Concrete countertops can also be created with custom edges. The design possibilities are truly endless when it comes to decorative concrete countertops.
PRACTICALITY
Heat and stain resistance. Concrete is naturally heat resistant, but it’s also porous. Applying a surface sealant will increase stain resistance. Once a sealant or wax treatment is applied, avoid placing hot pans on the sealed concrete surface.
Minimal seams. Depending on the size of the concrete countertop, they may have to be cast in smaller sections. However, visible seams can be minimized with the use of a concrete filler that matches the color and texture of the rest of the countertop. And unlike tile countertops, there won’t be any crumb-catching grout lines.
Cost effective. The average cost of a standard thickness concrete countertop is cheaper than granite, engineered quartz, and other high-end materials. Best of all, you can achieve the same finished look with concrete as you can with more expensive materials. While laminates and other synthetic surfaces may be cheaper, they generically don’t have the same overall versatility as concrete.