Happy Hour: Raise Your Glass to Stylish Concrete Countertops
Forget granite, marble, or quartz--concrete is where it’s at. If you’ve been thinking about inviting concrete into your kitchen, you’re not alone. Concrete countertops have been trending for a few years now and show no sign of losing their popularity. They’re durable and stand out from the crowd of other same-old countertop finishes.
Maybe you’ve only known concrete as the best bud of the construction world--strong, and useful, and down to earth enough to drink beers with. But concrete on countertops? Oh, man. Hold onto your baseball hats, because this material can be transformed into a sleek, sexy, slab that looks high-end. Give it a polish and suddenly you’ll be tempted to perch some champagne glasses and caviar on crackers on its smooth surface.
But we’re not talking about your everyday concrete. The kind of concrete used in concrete countertops is specialty concrete, not the rough and rugged DIY mixture that you’re familiar with. If it helps, think of specialty concrete like a cocktail….except the bartender is mixing up a special ratio of cement, aggregate, and sand, shaken and stirred. Hold the olive!
And this is no ordinary slapdash recipe. It needs to be designed for durability, and be strong and dense, able to withstand the daily use of pots, pans, and other items without succumbing to wear and tear. It’s got to party with the best of them and not show fatigue or crack under pressure.
Feeling fancy? Fine. Concrete is still your guy. You can embed all kinds of things in concrete, from beach glass fragments to shells. It’s easy to customize the look of your countertops in a way other materials can’t do. And you can polish your concrete for a show-stopping finish.
But before you turn into a concrete mixmaster, do your homework and learn about the material. Here are a few fun facts:
Concrete countertops often need some TLC to keep them looking their best. You might need to use a wax re-sealer on the regular, at least every 1-3 years.
Did you know there’s such a thing as discoloration of concrete? While rare, it can occur after installation and use. Luckily, you can remove certain kinds of discoloration with different treatments, so don’t let that deter you.
Concrete can be made to mimic other materials like wood and marble. There are different techniques that can be used to create a different finish than that concrete you are used to seeing around town.
If you feel like you + concrete countertops = a match, it’s time to explore options.
Style, finish, and color are all things to consider. Did you know Mathews Readymix can do colored concrete? We can help you add some oomph to your countertops with custom colors.
Talk to us about different concrete finishes for your countertops and other options to create a unique look for your kitchen.