Crazy for Concrete Countertops

   Concrete countertops don't come to mind when most people look for a new kitchen or bathroom countertop. After all, concrete typically isn't considered beautiful - or even close to being beautiful. But these days concrete doesn't look anything like you'd expect. It's gorgeous, hip and most importantly, fully customizable.
    During my visit to Advanced Concrete Enhancement, a decorative concrete shop in Los Angeles, California, I discovered first hand the beauty and versatility of concrete countertops. Easily considered the chameleon of the countertop world, concrete can be made to look like anything you can imagine. Plus, they're a wonderful choice for homes where the countertops take a beating.
    And I'm guessing that those who know a thing or two about concrete, are saying right now, "Wait a minute. Concrete can stain and crack and warp. It's a horrible choice for a busy home."
    You're right. Blayde Penza, the owner of Advanced Concrete Enhancements assured me that all of those horror stories are true. But not if you hire a good concrete contractor. So below you will find the insider tips Blayde gave me for getting the best concrete countertops and why you'll want to run out and get one right away.



The Benefits of Concrete Countertops

    Most people think of concrete as a tough material. That's why it's so impressive to see someone karate chop a cinder block. But tough isn't one of the main characteristics you need in a countertop. When you think of a good countertop, it's one that's durable and easy to maintain, and according to Blayde concrete countertops go far and above those expectations. Concrete countertops are:

• Easy to clean. When poured correctly, concrete has very little porosity, which makes it extremely easy to clean.
• Don't stain. If you choose a good concrete contractor, he or she will use a sealer and finishing process that guarantees the concrete won't stain.
• Don't crack. Typically, concrete is prone to cracking. But if you choose a good concrete contractor, he or she can guarantee your concrete countertop won't crack.
• Come in a wide variety of colors. Concrete countertops can be made in any color your wish. Typically, a concrete contractor offers a set of standard colors. If you don't see one you like, ask to have a color custom made.
• Can be formed into any shape. Because concrete is poured, concrete countertops can be formed into any shape you can imagine.
• Easy to Repair. If you accidentally chip your concrete countertop, it's easy to repair. A good concrete contractor will save your mix design, which is the information regarding the materials used to create your concrete countertop. With that mix design, the concrete contractor can reproduce the finish he initially used on your countertop. While you may still be able to notice where the repair was made, according to Blayde, your guests won't.
• Feel amazing. It might be the most shocking concrete countertop benefit, and it's completely true. Concrete feels amazingly soft and smooth to the touch. Once you run your hand across it once, you won't be able to stop.

How to Hire a Concrete Contractor

    Concrete countertops are a lot like chocolate chip cookies. Whether they turn out good, greatly depends on who makes them. That's because different concrete contractors use different ingredients and methods to make their concrete countertops. So it was no surprise to hear Blayde say the biggest mistake people make when getting concrete countertops is choosing the wrong contractor. So here's what Blayde recommends looking for when deciding who to hire.  


A good concrete contractor has:

• Experience in the decorative concrete field.
• Previous customer testimonials.
• A showroom with samples of his or her work.
• An open door policy so you can visit at anytime to check the progress of your job.
• Your mix design on file in case you chip your concrete countertop.
• Set guarantees that state your concrete countertop won't crack, stain or warp.

Precast vs. Poured Onsite

   There has been much debate regarding whether concrete countertops should be poured onsite or precast in a shop before arriving to your home. Those who believe concrete countertops should be poured onsite argue that pouring onsite allows the concrete countertop to perfectly fit your space. But Blayde says that's not a good enough reason to have a concrete countertop poured on site.
    Precasting concrete countertops allows the concrete contractor to control the environment where the concrete countertop is made, which is crucial to keeping the concrete from cracking and warping. In a precast environment, the humidity and temperature is monitored to allow the concrete to set perfectly and the countertop can be poured upside-down, which creates the smoothest finish, according the Blayde. Not to mention, precasting makes less of a mess.
    "Pouring [a concrete countertop] on site means I would come into your home - and you can imagine the mess that could be - and try to pour it in your kitchen and trowel it and finish it and seal it and do all of the things that need to be done to try to get the result that we're looking for," Blayde said.
    So to stay on the safe and smooth side, make sure your concrete countertop is precast. And don't worry about it not fitting perfectly in your space. Before making the countertop, your concrete contractor should visit your home and make a template of the space where the concrete countertop will go.  


The Myriad of Design Options

    Unlike other countertop options, concrete countertops boast of incredible design flexibility.  Because concrete is a poured materials, it can be made in any color and formed into any shape you could want. So the possibilities with concrete countertops are truly endless.
    Some of the most common features added to concrete countertops are integral sinks, slope drain boards and soap dish depressions. For added decorative interest, you can inlay broken glass, stones, shells, tiles, granite, marble - anything you can think of.
    And while the endless options are a definite benefit, they also make it extra important to communicate clearly with your concrete contractor. It's very easy to misinterpret the design and end up with a drain board, shell or stainless steel tray in the wrong place. So Blayde suggests working closely with your concrete contractor to get the best result.


Photo Credits: Advanced Concrete Enhancement