Anyone have concrete countertops?

[Dr. Evil]

Would you recommend them or not? Pros and cons?

Thanks

[bowhuntertex]

My neighbor who's an architect does. Has had them for about 10 years or and no problems out of them. They look really nice and are easy to maintain. I am considering changing mine to either concrete or mesquite.

[OrangeBlood]

cant speak for any pro's or con's, but I've seen them in houses and they sure look nice...

[justhrowit]

I have them, but I'm not 100% sure I'd do it again. Knowing what I know now..... I'd do them again if cost weren't an issue. They look great, but like all stone, they can etch, regardless if they are sealed or not. Many who put in concrete, actually like the etching and I guess it's part of the character draw to them. I've come to like it, but at first I was a little freaked out. I had thought my counters were destroyed. I purchased my house with them in there and knew very little about them other than they looked pretty cool. Very acidic foods can cause etchings or staining fairly fast, i.e rings around surface of a jar.

Caring for them is pretty basic. I use simple green cleaner to wide them off. Every so often, I'll use mineral oil to cote the counter tops. I'll leave the oil on there for a good fifteen minutes them wipe off the excess. This will give the counters a little more sheen, similar to granite. Any etches are somewhat hidden by the oils, but still show through, and actually give the counters a little more character, as mentioned earlier. The more oil you use, and the more often, it'll actually change the shade of the concrete as the oils are absorbed. My counters darkened from a light gray to a very pretty deep gray.

What I truly love about the concrete is the uniqueness they give my kitchen. Very few kitchens have them. When I was learning how to better care for them, I found all sorts extremely unique design ideas. It's amazing how creative people can get them.

J

[M-2]

I have them, but I'm not 100% sure I'd do it again. Knowing what I know now..... I'd do them again if cost weren't an issue. They look great, but like all stone, they can etch, regardless if they are sealed or not. Many who put in concrete, actually like the etching and I guess it's part of the character draw to them. I've come to like it, but at first I was a little freaked out. I had thought my counters were destroyed. I purchased my house with them in there and knew very little about them other than they looked pretty cool. Very acidic foods can cause etchings or staining fairly fast, i.e rings around surface of a jar.

Caring for them is pretty basic. I use simple green cleaner to wide them off. Every so often, I'll use mineral oil to cote the counter tops. I'll leave the oil on there for a good fifteen minutes them wipe off the excess. This will give the counters a little more sheen, similar to granite. Any etches are somewhat hidden by the oils, but still show through, and actually give the counters a little more character, as mentioned earlier. The more oil you use, and the more often, it'll actually change the shade of the concrete as the oils are absorbed. My counters darkened from a light gray to a very pretty deep gray.

What I truly love about the concrete is the uniqueness they give my kitchen. Very few kitchens have them. When I was learning how to better care for them, I found all sorts extremely unique design ideas. It's amazing how creative people can get them.

J

So concrete is much more expensive than granite, then? We're about to do some remodeling and I was thinking granite, but I've seen some neat looking concrete CTs on HDTV shows and the like.

[Sparkles]

So concrete is much more expensive than granite, then? We're about to do some remodeling and I was thinking granite, but I've seen some neat looking concrete CTs on HDTV shows and the like.

M2 it's probably close in cost. Seems like the average granite quote we got for colors we liked were between $40-45.

There are some types that cost less and some that cost double. I haven't gotten a concrete counter quote before but I don't see how it could be much more than $40 per sqft

[justhrowit]

So concrete is much more expensive than granite, then? We're about to do some remodeling and I was thinking granite, but I've seen some neat looking concrete CTs on HDTV shows and the like.

I honestly don't know that for certain, but I'm under the impression it is, and it's due to the labor of making the counter tops. Again, I purchased my house with them in there. The guy I got my house from built the counters in his driveway. He built the mold out of lumber, mixed and dyed the concrete, poured it, etc etc. A friend of mine rebuilt a house a couple years ago, and was dead set on concrete after seeing my kitchen.... until he saw the price. He ended up with granite. It's been several years, so I don't remember the cost break down of the two.

I forgot to mention one thing.... I'll also use a wax compound, made specifically for concrete counters. I think it's Cheng concrete wax. Will hold shine, and protect the counters longer than the oils will. As that's on my wind, I need to order more now.....

J

[bps3040]

So concrete is much more expensive than granite, then? We're about to do some remodeling and I was thinking granite, but I've seen some neat looking concrete CTs on HDTV shows and the like.

We build a lot of summer kitchens and everytime they want a quote on concrete, it comes out more expensive than granite. Normally $500 - $800. My cust. always end up going with the granite

[Boomerang]

Surprising concrete is so much more expensive!

[Christianhuff]

I have flipped 9 houses over the last few years and owned a construction business in southlake. Concrete is somewhat taste specific and a lot of people either love it or absolutely hate it. Everyone seems ok with a good looking granite.

[Geezy Rider]

My countertops were 45.00. a sf. I don't know if that's more or less that any other tops.

I've had mine for about five years now and I still like them. They have a few chips in them but a little stain and a touch up of sealer and they are gtg.

[M-2]

Thanks, everyone - we'll probably go with granite, too
Allaround, those look great.

[JB77]

good decision

[BigPigSticker]

Concrete counter tops

Here is the one that I built in my shop (extreme man cave) It was very easy to build and even easier to keep clean. I built it in sections in case I ever move, I can take it with me.

[Burntorange Bowhunter]

Our house has all native limestone countertops. I love them. 10 years in with no issues.

Very, very nice BigPig. That is an awesome bar.