We all are aware of cement concrete as a building material. It is used from the foundation to the walls of a building. It is even used for the countertop of the kitchen. If you are thinking about using concrete countertops for the kitchen platform then this article going to explain to you about “Concrete Countertops Pros and Cons”
If you are getting a picture of the concrete countertop of something like this- a plain slab. Then you are far behind in technology. Concrete countertops can be customized too.
The feature of making customized countertops is one of the most important factors for the popularity of concrete countertops. Innovative designs need lots of customization and minor adjustments, which can be easily achieved with cement concrete.
But, what may be perfect for someone might not be the right choice for you! So read further and then conclude if concrete countertops are suitable for your needs or not.
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Precast or Cast-in-situ Concrete Countertops
Concrete countertops are directly sold in the shop in precast form or they can be built from scratch in the premises of your home too. Special casting tables are used for precast concrete countertops. Curing and sealing are also done in the shop itself and they are sold in ready-to-install form.
Each method has its specific mix design, casting method, and finishing method. Concrete countertop institute recommends going for precast concrete countertops as be to your concrete countertop their finish can be achieved at a low cost in.
Casting Methods for Concrete Countertops
Mostly 1:3 ratio of cement to sand is enough for preparing the mortar of concrete countertops. Other materials used in the countertops are accelerators, superplasticizers, pigments for color, or decorative embedment.
Three methods of casting are implied on site for the manufacture of concrete countertops-
- Wet cast concrete
- Hand-packed concrete
- Glass fibre reinforced concrete
A minimum thickness of 1.5 inches is necessary for horizontally precast concrete.
The formwork for the countertop is placed on the cabinets and then pouring of concrete is done.
Customized Sinks or Cooktops
Drop-in sinks can be easily embedded in the concrete countertops. Or under-mount or apron front sinks can also be included with this countertop.
Drop-in cooktops can also be included with the concrete countertops.
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Concrete Countertops Pros
The Following are concrete countertops advantages,
1. Durability and Hardness
As we all know concrete is a hard material. Scratching and chipping are resisted by it. If constructed and maintained properly, they can be used for a long time.
2. Customization
It is easy to customize concrete countertops into any desired shape as per the design. Moreover, fine details like a small arc or rounded corners can also be easily finished in a concrete countertop.
This can help you in creating your own personalized countertop as per your design, decorative add-ins, and requirements.
3. Installing Sinks and Drains
Sinks are an important part of a kitchen. They can be easily installed on concrete countertops. Even the holes for soap dispenser can be easily adjusted onto the countertop during the construction.
4. Color
The color of the concrete countertop does not always need to be grey if you are worried about it! There are many options available to color it.
You can colour it after it is settled with the help of paint or you can dye pigments too. The dye-used countertops will give a more polished look and appear natural too.
For the natural appearance of the countertops that resemble a stone- acid staining is employed which gives a mottles look like granite or any other colour be it lighter or darker.
You can even put a tint of color to your concrete countertop that matches with the rest of the interior of your home. Colored concrete can be achieved by one of the following procedures:
- Integral Pigment: It is a colored powder that is mixed with concrete in the wet state to obtain the colored concrete. After it is mixed well, the color seeps deep into the concrete and the concrete is permanently colored. The color options are also too many when concrete is colored through this procedure.
- Acid Staining: This procedure enhances the color due to the presence of metallic salts. When the slab is hardened, acid staining is performed. The color change is permanent but there are limited color options.
- Dye: It is a liquid that can be applied to the slabs after curing. Hence, the penetration is limited to the top layer of the concrete only.
5. Scratch-resistant
Little scratches can be resisted by the concrete countertop. It is not scratch-proof, but it is stronger than some of the softer materials like laminate or marble.
6. Heat Resistant
Concrete countertops are resistant to the heat produced by extensive cooking. But that does not mean you can put hot vessels directly on the countertop. Doing that will damage the sealant and also induce cracks in the counter slab.
7. Facilitates Easy Cleaning
Concrete countertops allow easy cleaning. If it is stained, then immediately cleaned off with a cloth dipped in warm water. If the countertop is to be thoroughly cleaned, then you can use pH cleaner after making sure it won’t damage the sealant used. (You can consult the contractor for this)
Abrasive acid cleaners are a big NO! They damage the sealant and also the concrete. Make sure proper sealant is used for your concrete countertop. If the building quality is good and the countertop is sealed properly, then it can resist the stains efficiently.
However, clean the stains as soon as they are formed, else they won’t come off afterwards and damage the countertop too.
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8. Cutting Boards
You can amalgamate the cutting board in the countertop itself! This can ease out many cooking operations.
9. Smooth Surface
A smooth and seamless surface can be achieved by concrete for your countertop as per your design.
10. Style of Kitchen
Are you worried that the kitchen counter will not match the rest of the interior of your home? Then, concrete countertops can be a solution for the same. It matches well with both the traditional design styles and the recent contemporary ones.
11. Beautification
The first thing that catches attention while entering the kitchen is the countertop. If you want to achieve a sense of beautification in the kitchen, then experimenting with the countertops can be the best choice.
For the countertops made of concrete, you can add various elements for aesthetic appeal like embedding stones or adding glass chips or colourful marbles to the surface slab. Other beautification elements can be the addition of recycled glass, shells or fiber-optic glass.
Concrete countertops can be used for both indoor and outdoor kitchen slabs.
13. Seamless
By using a similar colored filler, you can obtain a completely seamless countertop, unlike the tiles. The grout lines become virtually invisible.
14. Increased Value
Concrete countertops are taken as the premium material for the countertops that can increase the value of your home.
15. Maintenance
Concrete countertops require very less maintenance. Just reapplying a sealing coat will be enough. This needs to be done in a period of about 3 years.
Cleaning with mild soap and warm water periodically will keep it stainless and avoid the accumulation of bacteria too.
16. Ageing- Beautifully
The concrete is a non-static material. This is one of the unique features of concrete.
As your concrete countertop lasts long, then it becomes all the more beautiful.
Read More: Furnishing A New Home Checklist
Concrete Countertops Cons
There is no material or technology with only pros and no cons. Concrete countertops have some disadvantages too that are discussed below: (Be sure to read them for you do not want to regret later on!)
1. High Initial Cost
In comparison to other countertop materials like granite, quartz, or marble, concrete countertops are costly.
Some of the factors that contribute to the cost in concrete countertops include size, shape, thickness, colour, and finish of the countertop. Also, if you are planning to add additional features like the design on the edge of the surface slab, inlay, or decorative aggregates, then it will also add to the cost.
Recycled materials can be displayed so that the initial cost can be reduced. Also, the customization can be kept limited to keep the budget low. Its approximate cost may be around 75-150 $ per square foot. But it may be higher as per the customization level and design.
2. Skilled Labour
To construct or fix the concrete countertop, skilled and experienced labours are required that escalates the cost.
3. Discoloration
The problem of the fading away of the colour of a concrete countertop is quite common if proper care is not taken.
4. Shrinkage Cracks
Concrete has the tendency to develop shrinkage cracks when it dries. The occurrence of hair-like cracks is common in concrete countertops that can be repaired though.
But taking a few precautions like ensuring proper sealant on the surface, avoiding to put hot vessels on the platform directly can prolong the life of the kitchen slab and also reduce the shrinkage cracks.
Also, spillage on the countertop should be wiped off immediately. It can cause staining on the countertop otherwise. Acidic materials like lemon juice, vinegar, etc. are especially prone to doing the damage.
5. Reinforcement in Concrete Slab for the Kitchen
If the entire slab is constructed with only concrete then the slab will become too heavy. Therefore, it is necessary to reinforce it with structural steel. Or fibre reinforcement, rebar, or wire mesh can be used for the reinforcement. If not, the weight of the slab will increase too much and the cabinets won’t be accommodated.
6. Crack Repair
Even if shrinkage cracks are prevented well, a hairline crack appears on the concrete slab. But, this can be reduced though by wiping the spills as soon as they fall on the slab, avoiding a poor concrete mix, or improper installation of the countertop.
Also, the hairline cracks are not much obvious and they are harmless most of the times. But, if they become too wide, then they may cause damage to the countertop; but it is a rare possibility.
7. Scratching
Concrete slabs are not too prone to scratches, however, cutting vegetables or fruits directly onto the slab may leave scratches on the slab.
8. Porous Slab
The concrete slab is porous in nature and thus liquid substances can penetrate inside. If not washed properly, then it may promote bacterial growth. Therefore, a proper sealant should be applied on the surface. Also, care should be taken that liquids are not spilled in the cracks.
9. Time-Consuming Construction
Concrete countertops take time for designing, casting, curing, and finishing. This process cannot be rushed.
10. Difficult to modify afterwards
After the construction, it is too difficult to modify the concrete countertops. If you are someone who renovates in every few years, then it is better to avoid concrete countertops.
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