Concrete countertops have been in use for over three centuries in Europe, but their origin is French. This countertop is made of coarse gravel or crushed stone that has been mixed with water to make it more pliable. It is then finished with a durable sealant that is usually done in white, black, grey, brown, or green to match the rest of the kitchen. When most people think of concrete countertops, they imagine a simple slab laid onto a kitchen island, but this is not always the case. There are many different countertop materials to choose from at https://www.concretecontractorstampa.net/, including marble, granite, or quartz, but most people stick with the traditional slate or concrete.

Overview: The texture and finish of concrete countertops depend upon what is used to create them. If you plan on using a natural stone aggregate, you should plan on the particular shade of stone and mix to match the rest of your kitchen. The most popular options in colors include gray, white, black, green, blue, pink, orange, brown, and tan. To prevent the look of a sloping sidewalk, concrete countertops must also be sealed and pre-colored to avoid staining and to avoid heat and stain-resistant qualities. Slate and other natural stones are usually left for color choices, but pre-colored slabs may be more attractive and provide additional protection to your kitchen floor.

Materials: If you go to a home improvement store or browse online, you will find that concrete countertops come in a wide variety of surfaces, such as slabs, pavers, terrazzo, etc. Most manufacturers will list the construction material used in their products. For example, shag, wood, clay, stone, and even ceramic are available. Silvas Cheng says that he prefers shag for his concrete countertops because it is easier to clean, resists staining, and holds up longer. As for the pavers and terrazzo, some of these materials are extremely beautiful.

Cost: Materials are usually classified according to cost, meaning that the more materials it consists of, the more it will cost. In this case, silver cheng says that concrete countertops with less fill are likely to be cheaper to produce than ones with more fill. Also, the more complicated the design of the slabs, the more it will cost.

Options: If you shop around, you will find that there are a number of different styles of slabs available, including one-pieces, double-pieces, cut-outs, etc. You can also choose a flat bottom, if you prefer. However, if you need a contractor to install your concrete countertops, keep in mind that most companies offer installation only by cutting boards.

Cutting Boards: Many people are intimidated by concrete countertops because they have seen those old-fashioned metal basins that are pouring concrete by hand. However, this is not the case anymore, thanks to today’s special machines. In fact, a pour station is generally much closer to the surface that you want to have than a hand mixer. For example, a typical station will be able to pour slabs in just a few seconds without any human assistance, providing a quicker way to get the concrete poured on your desired surface.

Water Mixer: This is something you might not think about when looking at concrete countertops, but the truth is that you do need to have a water mixer on hand, especially if the countertop will be used frequently. Water mixers mix the cement and water, allowing you to pour the material as needed without worrying about it getting too wet or too dry. Of course, this is useful for larger jobs, but if you just need to mix a couple of slabs here and there, a water mixer will suffice.

White Concrete Countertops: Surprisingly, white concrete countertops actually have some disadvantages compared to other countertops. First, because it is white, it absorbs more light than other colors. Also, white counters are typically more susceptible to damage from hot surfaces like fryers or grills, as the heat can melt the cement, causing it to break down. But, if you are building a new kitchen, remodeling, or adding an existing kitchen to your home, a white countertop may be a perfect choice, as white is less expensive than most natural cement options.