Kitchen Benchtop Ideas, Concrete
I have been researching our potential new kitchen benchtops for our new house….whenever we end up finding the right block.
And I keep coming back to 2 choices, crazy but they are polar opposite so it will be interesting to see which element wins in the end.
I thought I would tell you all the pros and cons about the 1st one.
Concrete.
The first thing we need to know is concrete is porous and needs to be sealed to prevent staining. Most of the companies use a high end sealer that prevents staining from wine, tea, coloured spices, fruit juices and even food colouring…..
This is great but initially I thought yay! concrete, never have to worry about it. But it will just be that I would have to look after it like any engineered or natural stone.
I didn’t really think of it as the same product initially…but the light bulb just lit up. I am not dim just takes me a while some days……
If your using concrete outside, the sealer will slowly start to fade in colour.
Ok, luckily it will be inside.
You can put direct heat on the bench but it will suffer from thermal shock and may discolour……I wouldn’t risk it then…..
So that’s all the negatives out the way…..not too bad actually you have to look after it like any other benchtop really. But if your mind gets away from you there is more grace period than other products.
So Concrete is compared to Marble and Granite…..but can do way more.
Concrete when poured is hand finished so the integration of sinks is available…..I love this idea…..It would be somewhat like a moulded sink…..
Ok its getting me back.
Most of the companies back their products to be completely stainless (so that sealer must be awesome) and structurally durable…..this is good too, as we had a hairline crack in our previous engineered stone that could be buffed ……..in time.
So Concrete conforms to almost any shape, it is much lighter in weight to marble and granite, colours and textures are far beyond granite, stain free, contemporary and of course excellent strength and durability.
OK I am back on board.
What do you think about a concrete benchtop?
I love the idea of concrete, but worry about it feeling cold (like a floor), except you’re not walking on it, so I don’t suppose it would be an issue. Okay, maybe I’m just weird??
I think I’m just to excited that you’re planning to build again to focus on the pros and cons of concrete benchtops. Haha!!!
M
x
i too was considering it but someone told me (can’t remember who!) that the corners are prone to chipping….
mel x
Concrete is a nice idea but I prefer the wood counter tops.I think concrete is not advisable if there are kids in the family because very corner of counter tops that made of concrete is sharp kids may prone to accident.