Concrete Counters

[homealone]

I have been watching a few home shows this past week and one thing I have noticed on many of them is that when they are working on the kitchen they are using concrete counters.

Concrete isn't something I personally think of when it comes to kitchens. Normally the first thing that comes to mind is granite when counters are mentioned.

I guess concrete counters are heat resistant, durable, can be colored to match the decor and so on. So I guess using concrete counters might be a very good thing to use.

Another bonus to concrete counters they mentioned is that they are much less expensive than something like granite.

For those who flip homes here, do you or have you ever used concrete counters in your flips? If you have what kind of feedback did you get about them?

[flippinout]

Heres a couple instances of concrete counters. They are actually rather good looking but it would be the weight that would worry me.

[homealone]

From what I understand is that concrete counter tops don't weigh much more if at all than most granite counter tops. So the cabnits are fairly designed to withstand the weight and most floors are also built well enough to handle it all.

So the weight of concrete counters shouldn't be much of a bother to anyone who is wanting them.

[luv2flip]

I have also seen those type of counters, they look real nice, and would be very sturdy, hold up to everything you do to your counters.

[flip_it_fast]

They are supposed to be super easy to clean and very durable too. I still have the very eighties style countertops and I hate them!

Countertops just haven't been in my budget yet but I can't wait til they are!

I don't know what type I will end up with but you can bet they will be prettier than they are now!

[homealone]

Another good part about having concrete counters is that they are heat resistant. I do believe that depending on the top coating used on them you can even set a hot pan right onto the counter top with out worrying about causing damage and with most counter tops you can't do something like that with.

If I were to get new counter tops I think I would have to go with concrete. Here we also have the very old style and they are not only out dated but ugly!!! The really don't match the style of the kitchen and that irritates me.

Some times I am tempted to ruin them just for force my old man into replacing them, but I just can't bring myself to be that mean...YET!!

[Loren]

I'm brand new to the forum but happened to come across this post first.

We are a fabricator of concrete counters.


I can clarify a few things-

price- it's likely as much or more that granite because they are completely customizable in color, design, etc.

weight- it depends on the technique- we use Glass fiber reinforcement with microspheres to increase density, stain resistance, and lessen the weight.
granite varies but its roughly 12 lbs per square foot at 3/4" thickness. I can do 1 1/4" thickness at about 8 lbs. Other companies that use a wet cast method have steel and a heavier mix (and it usually needs to be a little thicker to accomodate do they are dramatically heavier than our technique.


I hope this helps.

[flippinout]

Hello Loren and welcome to New House Flip, we are glad to have you with us and yes your information is very helpful. And I am sorry for not answering this post earlier but I somehow missed it.

The price was my biggest question about concrete counters and since they can run about the same as granite, I think I would prefer the granite. But from the concrete counters I have seen, and since they are completely customizeable, they would probably be the better option since granite is pretty limited to color etc.

Weight would also be a concern but as you explained, yours weigh less than most so that would compensate nicely. Do you have any pictures you could show us?

[splashofcolor2]

this is something i have never heard of and really i like the look better then the granite as u stated granite only comes is colors or black or gray i like the fact that u can style the concrete counters to ur own unique style and tastes and have the only one made of it kind and u styled it ur self thats awesome