ALL ABOUT CONCRETE

Because of its richness and limitless design options, concrete is perfectly suited for those clients that want a look that is unique and interesting. Each piece is custom molded, hand poured and finished, giving it a unique, crafted look, thus each piece will vary slightly. Shaping, carving and grinding stone is costly and limits ones creative abilities. Concrete is fluid at birth and will become solid stone. This allows us to cast any desired shape and form at an affordable cost, giving you virtually unlimited possibilities for design.

Generally, we do not cast single pieces larger than 20 square feet. Like other countertop materials including quarried stone, seams are generally required in a standard kitchen, especially around sinks and cook top cutouts. We often use seams to our advantage as an additional design feature..

Overall, we have not experienced cracking with our products, however, hairline cracks are considered inherent characteristics of the material and should not be considered a flaw. Your product will be engineered with the proper reinforcement and any hairline crack that may appear will not affect the structural integrity of the finished product.

The weight of a concrete countertop is comparable to that of granite and requires no additional support. We recommend 3⁄4” plywood be installed over the cabinetry as a good substrate.

We are often asked about durability and a question we get on occasion is, “What if I were to hit it with a hammer?” Our response is, “Why would you want to hit it with a hammer?” In that, it is no different than any other stone surface you have seen. The durability of concrete speaks for itself, and the beauty of our product is unsurpassed.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

To keep concrete countertops looking new, common sense and minimal maintenance are required. Many hours go into the protection and sealing of your countertop to insure the highest quality finish. The sealer, which is safe for contact with food will provide many years of protection unless it has been damaged. Damaged sealers, as well as chipped or damaged concrete can often be repaired. A Care & Maintenance sheet is provided at the time of installation. You can follow some of these helpful hints to keep your top lasting a lifetime.

• Always use a cutting board or prep mat.
• For hot items, use a hot pad or trivet.
• Use soap and water with a dishcloth to clean the surface.
• Wax occasionally with beeswax.