Cast concrete countertops have become the favorite of designers and architects because concrete can give warmth, color and depth not available in granite, marble or Corian. Hand finishing gives our countertops a finish as smooth as glass with a patina that improves over the years.

Why Concrete?
Concrete countertops are the most unique, personal countertop option because they are made from scratch for each client. To determine whether concrete is right for a particular project, consider the following:
-you are interested in something unique and personalized
-you want something that looks natural and has character
-you appreciates high-quality, hand-crafted items
-granite is too shiny, too formal, too common for this application
-using a synthetic solid surface material would look and feel like plastic
-you need a color or visual texture that's not available with other countertop materials

If so, concrete countertops may be right the right choice for your creative project.

What are the advantages of concrete countertops over marble and/or granite? How does concrete compare to granite in terms of both cost (per square foot) and texture?
The biggest advantage of concrete is that it is completely customizable; you can sculpt, mold, and texturize it to your own desire. If you have a concrete kitchen or bathroom counter made, the cost will be based on the complexity of the form, the mold-making process, and the desired finish, rather than the size. Cost comparisons between materials should be done on a project-by-project basis.

Do concrete countertops have an application in more traditional kitchens?
Yes, absolutely. Style is dictated by design; concrete can adapt to any look. For example, edge detailing and decorative inlays can help a concrete counter blend into more traditional environments.

The Process:
-Countertops are made of cement, lightweight aggregates, and a combination of additives.
-Some type of reinforcement is used such as structural steel, wire mesh, fiberglass, and/or fibers. Sometimes more than one type of reinforcement is used.
-The countertops are cured.
-Countertops are often ground. At Stone River, for example, we grind off the surface "skin" with progressively finer diamond polishing stones. This process reveals the beauty of the aggregates embedded in the countertop.
-Countertops are always sealed providing a very stain resistant surface.

Thickness
At Stone River the standard slab thickness is 2". Larger thickness is also available and is done for aesthetic reasons.

Weight
A 2" thick standard concrete countertop has an approximate weight of 22 pounds per square foot. (Granite is approximately 18 pounds per square foot.) Standard cabinetry will support the concrete slabs as the weight of the countertops is distributed over a large area.

Can I use concrete countertops as a cutting surface?
As with marble or granite, we do not recommend cutting directly on a concrete surface, as it could result in scratches and gouges in the finish of your counter as well as harm the blades of your knives.

Can I put a hot pot directly onto a concrete kitchen counter?
Concrete is heat-resistant but is subject to thermal shock if a red-hot object is placed directly upon it. Like granite, the exposed area may flake or chip away if too much heat is applied. In addition, the heat could damage the sealer and wax applied to the surface. We recommend using trivets for hot cookware.

Can concrete countertops chip, flake, or crack?
As with marble and granite, concrete corners and edges can chip if struck by a hard object. Sealing and rounding the inside corners of the mold with silicone will ease the edges and prevent chipping. Hairline cracks can also develop, but these are not structural failures; rather, they are inherent characteristics of the material and are felt to be an attractive element of the patina.

Do concrete countertops stain?
Concrete has approximately the same porosity as marble. At Stone River we utilize a penetrating acrylic micro-emulsion sealer that resists most stains up to 72 hours. Acids (especially red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar) will etch the surface and should be cleaned up right away. Luckily, like aged butcher block or marble, a patina on concrete countertops can actually enhance the character of the surface, so a spill is not necessarily a disaster.

The various stains, scratches, and crazing that accumulate with the passage of time on a concrete countertop aren't blemishes at all but a patina to be valued. It conveys warmth and a sense of history, like the blemishes on an antique wooden table or chair or the dents and scuffs on an old wooden floor.

Cleaning the Countertop
Avoid abrasive soaps or cleansers. Stone River Studio recommends a mild, non-abrasive, non ammoniated soap for daily cleaning. In short, cleaning your countertop is not going to be any more difficult than cleaning any other type of countertops.

What sort of routine maintenance is required to keep a nice finish on my concrete countertop? How often do I re-apply the finishing wax?
Ideally, for maximum protection and beauty, we recommend that wax be reapplied every month. With each coat of wax, the countertop will develop a naturally hard, protective coating to help repel against staining as well as remove fingerprints and add a lustrous sheen. Realistically, many owners only wax their concrete countertops once a year or less, and then some never do at all. Without upkeep and maintenance, the countertop will patina and stain but this is only cosmetic and will not affect the durability of the countertop.
To create one's world in any of the arts takes courage. Georgia O'Keefe