Everything you need to know about concrete worktops. Pros and cons

CONCRETE WORKTOPS

The material for the manufacture of concrete countertops is interior concrete – it is a hardened mixture based on a binder. Often, cement is traditionally used as the latter. Also, the composition of the mixture includes various aggregates:

• Small pebbles
• Sand
• Organic fillers
• Water

CLEANING THE CONCRETE SURFACE FROM CONTAMINATION

Concrete is a porous material, so any contamination is difficult to remove. Organic substances are clogged in the pores of the material. Concrete must be protected from contact with various acids, the latter destroy calcium, which is the main binder in concrete. Even lemon juice is dangerous for a concrete surface; a drop of it will leave a dull spot behind.

This disadvantage of concrete countertops is successfully eliminated by polymerization of their surface. The polymeric substance covers the entire area of ​​the countertop with a thin uniform layer and prevents direct contact of concrete with the environment. The countertop protected in this way is easily washed from any contamination, it is not afraid of products with a strong coloring effect:

• Wine
• Coffee
• Vinegar
• Tomato paste
• And others

IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE A CONCRETE SURFACE AS A CUTTING BOARD?

The concrete used for the manufacture of countertops is a durable material, it is not inferior in hardness to granite, but the polymer coating is less stable. Therefore, it is not recommended to use the countertop as a surface for cutting food, as this can easily scratch the surface of the table.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO PUT HOT WARE ON THE WORKTOP?

Actually, concrete can withstand high temperatures, but the polymer coating is less thermally stable. Experiments have shown that a polymer-coated concrete countertop can safely withstand prolonged contact with objects whose temperature is less than 150 degrees Celsius. This means that pans can be safely placed on the countertop immediately after the stove. But with a hot frying pan it’s better not to risk it, otherwise the surface of the table may melt.

IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE POLYMER LAYER?

Such countertops can be used in conditions where the likelihood of regular pollution is almost completely excluded, for example, in the living room or bedroom. It is not recommended to use unprotected countertops in the kitchen or bathroom.

Countertops without a polymer coating need to be treated with impregnations from time to time, they do not provide a high level of protection, but they prolong the life of the table.

WILL THE FURNITURE WITHSTAND THE WEIGHT OF THE WORKTOP?

This question is asked by users who do not change all kitchen furniture, but only the countertop itself. Only a specialist can answer this question. According to the manufacturing method, there are two types of concrete countertops:

• Sprayed
• Aspic

Tabletops of the first type weigh little, so they are suitable for any furniture. Filled countertops, on the contrary, are heavy, so before installing them, you will have to strengthen the furniture structure with a frame.

WAYS TO DECORATE CONCRETE

There are several ways to decorate a concrete surface:

• When the concrete is still in a liquid state, colored ingredients can be added to it to color it in the desired color, white colorizers are the most popular;
• It is also possible to add colored pebbles, shells, broken or rounded glass as a filler to the concrete solution;
• There is a technology for decorating concrete with precious wood inserts.

The surface of the countertop can be one of two varieties according to the type of grinding:

• Cement milk – with such grinding, white spots and “streaks” are noticeable on the sides of the countertop;
• Deep – with this type of grinding, the surface of the tabletop has a grainy structure, sometimes individual grains of sand are visible on it.

WHERE CAN I BUY A CONCRETE WORKTOP?

In Ukraine, a couple of dozen enterprises are engaged in the production of countertops, so a single market for countertops has not yet been formed. A concrete countertop cannot be bought, it can only be ordered. If there is no workshop in your city, then you will have to do all the measurements yourself. Concrete masters can make a countertop according to your measurements and send it to your city.

COST OF CONCRETE WORKTOPS

As mentioned above, a single market for concrete countertops has not yet been formed, so the cost of products varies greatly depending on the manufacturer. A square meter can cost you ten thousand and eighty thousand rubles.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A CONCRETE WORKTOPS?

The advantage of concrete is that each concrete product is unique. Patina, stains, stains always appear on the surface of concrete, each countertop has its own special pattern. Also, do not forget that concrete is an absolutely environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances.