The Good and the Bad of Concrete Countertops

There are so many different types of kitchen countertops to choose from today, but concrete countertops are especially sought after as they boast a lot of significant advantages that other materials simply cannot compete with, especially in terms of versatility. A few other common ones include granite, tile, and laminate, but they hardly compare to concrete countertops given how durable and customizable they are. Therefore, in this text, we will dive deep into the world of concrete countertops as they have been proven to be one of the best ways to give your space a nice rustic and industrial feel without the need to completely remodel your space. As a result, you can make sure that your place is looking hip and trendy without putting a huge dent in your wallet. Therefore, without further ado, let's take a look at some of the advantages concrete countertops have to offer.

Concrete Countertop Pros
For one, concrete is a very durable material so you can expect the countertops to last you a long time, regardless of how often you end up using them. In fact, the cement and sand mix is basically rock solid, so it can definitely take a beating and still look great after many years of daily usage. In the case that it does crack, though, it can be very easily fixed. In addition, those cracks are hardly ever noticeable and often times, simply add more character to the countertop. It’s also worth mentioning how they are very heat resistant which is why they are especially great to have in the kitchen. They are also very cost effective, especially if you end up doing it on your own, which you can’t say for other types of countertop material. On top of that, since you are able to make it on your own, you can customize it however you would like to. This is made possible through the countless edge options, color combinations, and shapes that you can make! In addition, they are very easy to clean as they only require some warm water with a bit of soap in order to get the job done. However, if that’s not enough to convince you, it’s worth mentioning how they, in general, come out looking stellar each time. They are also simply very much in style at the moment, so it’s hard to go wrong with this choice!
Concrete Countertop Cons
On the downside, concrete countertops do have the potential of cracking. It’s just a risk that you have to take, especially if you end up pouring it in place instead of getting it precast. This comes into play due to the pressure or because of the nature of the home. In addition, much like everything else, concrete displays its stains and scratches due to the fact it is a porous material, therefore, it absorbs liquids.
That being said, take these disadvantages with a grain of salt because all of them can easily be dealt with and aren’t nearly as problematic as they are made out to be. For instance, if you are afraid of it cracking, there are a number of measures that you can take. For example, you can add fiber reinforcement, rebar, or even a wire mesh. In addition, in order to protect it from stains and scratches, all you have to do is seal the surface periodically and you should be good to go! Therefore, don’t let it scare you away and instead, take the leap and try it out for yourself. We can promise you that it won’t disappoint! As you can see, having a concrete countertop reaps so many benefits and a few disadvantages that can easily be dealt with. That being said, this goes to show how you do need to put in a bit of effort into its maintenance in order to prolong its longevity, but when you think about it, what in the world doesn’t need a bit of extra care in order to have a longer life?
Now, concrete countertops cost differently, depending on whether you do it on your own or you have it done professionally. DIY concrete countertops are obviously much less expensive as you just need to by the materials necessary to make your own concrete countertop, however, it also allows you to make it as personalized as you’d like. The beauty of it, after all, is that you can cast it into any shape, color, or texture of your choosing. You even have the option of adding embedded tiles and stones, for example. Now, don’t let a DIY concrete countertop project scare you because it can actually be a lot of fun and the end product always looks amazing, granted you have everything you need for it! The best part is that it’s completely personalized and unique! Don’t believe us? Let’s do a quick rundown.

How to Make Your Own Concrete Countertop
Before you can actually make the countertop, you’ll have to cut and install the forms to fit your space. Once that’s done, you can start working on mixing your concrete mix. When it’s ready, gradually pour it into your form as you continuously smooth it out. You’ll also have to tap the edges from time to time to keep the air bubbles from forming! Once you’ve made your mold and it’s dry, you can snap off the edges. If you’d like, you can sand it. Next, it’s time to add some color. You can mix and match some or just choose one; whatever your heart desires. In addition, you can choose between various different ways of adding color such as by dying or by staining. Afterward, you want to seal it all up in order to give it some protection and shine! Viola, you’ve made your very own concrete countertop right from the comfort of your home.
Here at Concrete Countertop Solutions, you can find everything that you’d need to make your very own concrete countertop. In fact, we’ve developed several tools to help ease the process. Therefore, head on over to our website today to see how you can make your own, one-of-a-kind concrete countertop today.