What to think of when considering a kitchen concrete countertop

1.
Kitchen Concrete Countertops ­ not for the faint­hearted
Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. If your (or the client’s) preference is shiny synthetic or
warm wooden top, or if it’s practicality you are after then this post is not for you anyway.
But if you are after a rougher, organic look than a concrete top is something to consider.
Whether your cabinets fronts are wood, lacquered, metallic or almost any other finish,
concrete will look great on top, either complementing or contrasting the bottom part.
There, though, some things to consider, some of them common to concrete and other
materials and some are unique.

2. 1. Absorption​: Concrete is porous, therefore it absorbs liquids. This is not different to
other natural materials used for tops (i.e. wood, marble) and can be solved by
applying proper sealants. Some sealants change the look of the concrete while
others leave it as­is (it is once again a matter of taste) but one thing is common ­
sealers are applied to the top ​after​ curing and while many of them are very good they
only cover the material and hardly penetrate it. This means that a falling knife or
heavy pot might damage the sealer, leaving the concrete exposed to liquids.
2. Alkalinity​ ­ Concrete is alkaline, which means it is sensitive to acid. Leave a
wet­bottomed bottle of wine or a slice of lemon overnight and chances are you’ll see
the marks in the morning. Some sealers will prevent this but not all so care must be
taken to clean the surface thoroughly after use.
3. Hardness​ ­ concrete is a hard material (dah…). The upside is the ability to cast large
seamless units (see the photo at the top ­ 520*120cm pieces!). The downside is that
it is sensitive to scratches, both by sharp objects and abrasive materials. Scratches
are harmful both to the concrete itself ​and​ to the sealer so trying to remove a wine
stain from item 2 above with a hard scrub might damage the sealer from item 1. Only
soft cloth and mild detergent are allowed. Another result of the hardness is inflexibility
­ unless placed on robust, stable cabinets concrete might crack as a result of sagging
of the supporting structure (and remember ­ it’s HEAVY).
4. Thermal insensitivity​ ­ concrete is heat­intolerant. Put a hot pot on a cold concrete
surface and chances are you’ll end up with a crack.
5. Micro cracks​ ­ without going too much into chemistry, concrete continues to crack
throughout its life. So while you may treat it well, avoid heat/acid/sharp objects/harsh
detergents, you still may wake up one morning to find a hairline crack on the surface.
there’s nothing to do about that.
6. Bugholes​ ­ no, bugs don’t eat concrete but that’s how tiny holes on the surface that
might appear after a while are called. They are the result of very small air bubbles
that are trapped in the concrete and for one reason or another pop after it cures.
Some (I am among them) think that all of the above is part of the charm of concrete and, as
long as you treat it with care, all the marks that a concrete top may accumulate over the
years are an endearing aging process. There is something to be said for a material that
keeps changing over time ­ this is why people pay a fortune for old furniture. But if you are
not among these people and would like your kitchen top to be spanking shiny forever
concrete is not for you.