Concrete countertops are relatively rare. Granite and other materials still dominate the market when it comes to countertops. The question comes to mind - why choose concrete? One of its biggest advantages over other material is sculpt-ability, strength, and timeless quality. Most kitchens feel outdated after just a few years and the average life span of a new kitchen is about 7 years. It is a fashion industry as one of the instructors at the workshop described it. One of the attributes that makes things last is good design. The concrete kitchen countertop in the top photo is over 20 years old. Its custom design, attention to details, and graceful aging make it timeless.
We attended the 1-Day Concrete Countertop Essentials Workshop, which is designed to guide you through every step of making a concrete countertop. From the basics of mold making, design considerations, strengthening methods, mixing concrete, decorative aggregates to polishing and sealing. The classes are small and very hands-on. Regardless of your previous experience, you will learn a lot about the material, its advantages and limitations.
We were introduced to many of the products that Cheng Concrete has to offer. Their pro-formulas are specifically designed to remove the guesswork out of concrete mixing and to help you make your projects successful. They also sell many of the tools and materials that make the process simple and accessible to everyone.
Cheng Concrete offers other workshops as well. There is a 1/2-Day Outdoor Living Essential Workshop that will introduce you to building planters, tables, and benches. For more advanced techniques in mold making you can check out the 3-Day Concrete Countertop Training. For the complete list visit the Cheng Concrete website.
(Images: Cheng Concrete and Monika G.)
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I love concrete countertops. I'd take one over granite anyday.
LOVE that wall and water feature. Concrete... my favorite material!
I'd much rather have this than granite -
- one of these days...
I love Fu-Tung Cheng's work! I'm a huge fan of everything that the Cheng guys do! I recommend any of their books, they're great for inspiration and step-by-step instruction.
I have a precast concrete line and the end results are always stunning and I am always amazed that concrete counters have not caught on yet.
Brutalist. I love it.
But I don't think I'd like a concrete sink unless very dense (lowest water/cement ratio) and as impermeable as possible. As a material, concrete holds significant water: pore spaces, water of crystallinity, adsorbed water... and all of this can add humdity to a kitchen. We have very humid summers here already.
I as well can't believe they've not caught on yet. Concrete is a great material.
That fireplace is awesome!
When I am ready to buy my own place, its going to definitely have concrete counters. My mom knows a guy that can make custom concrete floors. Theyre beautiful. Just love it.
And good post!
Any idea how it compares cost-wise with the alternatives?
opps. not fire place. more of a fountain.
Boleto precast concrete can range from 56.00 to 65.00 per sq. ft. depends on the design, for basic kitchen counter maybe a drop sink its around high 50's.
I hope it catches on because then I could afford it!
i would love to be able to make my own concrete planters... oh and if i were to be really bold, an entire white washed floor.
Boleto-- if you're a DIYer and you're going to make a countertop, cost starts around $8 per sq ft.
I highly recommend Cheng's book "Concrete Countertop."
I have been debating trying this for a year or so.
ew. granite (when able to afford) is MUCH nicer. In my opinion.
Cheng's work and designs are awesome but I don't trust concrete. Too many stories of cracked concrete and tear out and replacement of new tops that failed.
As a DIY project its cheap but to hire a professional to do these high end tops you could do stone for the same price or cheaper.
LoriSF - According to some kitchen industry estimates, concrete countertops ARE "catching on" with overall sales doubling each year to where they now comprise 1% of the countertop market. I know it doesn't sound like much, but we think it's pretty big given the overall size of the countertop industry.
I'd also like to comment on the posts about cracking and water absorption: Yes concrete is pourous, but just like marble or limestone once it's properly sealed there should be no penetration of water or other liquids. The right sealer will make it stain proof.
Cracking? unacceptable. With recent developments in reinforcing methods, there is no excuse for a concrete countertop to crack. If it does, your contractor should replace it, free-of-charge.
Another resource for training is:
www.bldgeductr.org/
A friend took the class, then we built her outdoor bbq area as a test run, it's been fine and shows no cracking after 18 months. The Home Builder Center classes are pretty rustic but very informative and hands on. She feels pretty confident about building basic countertops after that, but has also heard great things about Cheng, she plans to take that before we build her kitchen countertops to learn more about mold making. The abinetry is still being built, by her, which is why there's a delay between counter fabrications.
It's really a great technique to learn for DIYers, highly recommend it, we were both happy with the results and she's going to help me build counters for my studio area in the garage.
When we remodeled our Kitchen in 2004 we had 3 3/4 in. Black Concrete countertops poured in place. We love them.
i'm considering this for my bathroom sink/counter. (concrete countertop with hammered copper bar sink--because i want a VERY narrow (<9") sink). with all due respect, though, that cheng website is awful.
I SO wish I could go to one of those workshops. After pouring our own in place w/ bullnose edging (and needing to resurface the 'experimental island') we learned that you get better and better the more you do it. But no regrets here. If anyone wants to see the process we used: http://mydiyhome.wordpress.com/concrete-countertops/