Are concrete counters right for you?
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Few kitchencountertop materialsare more misunderstood than high-end concrete.
Modern concrete kitchen countertops are no longer cold impersonal slabs of gray concrete.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
More often, they are warm and gleaming surfaces that are functional and also remarkably stylish.
The countertop is usually adhered to the cabinets with construction adhesives after being carefully leveled and shimmed.
Onlyceramic tilecomes close to offering a comparable range of choices.
The Spruce / Michelle Becker
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Concrete Countertops Cost
Concrete counters are expensive.
Expect to pay $135/sq ft or more for full-service concrete countertop fabrication and installation.
If this is required for your installation, it can significantly increase the cost even further.
Choose a sealer formulated to withstand heat if you expect to set hot pans directly onto your concrete counters.
Use a cutting board when chopping or cutting foods on your concrete counters.
Stay away from highly abrasivecleaning products, which can damage the sealer.
In fact, concrete counters are very versatile and can be customized to suit any space’s style.
When it comes to color, anything goes.
Go darker with deep gray, navy, or black.
The finish can be matte, glossy, or somewhere in between.
The illusion that they are much thicker slabs is usually the result of a drop-front edging on the countertop.
Sealer is applied, often a very hard epoxy.
Are Concrete Countertops Right For You?
If you are looking to replace your kitchen counters, concrete is definitely worth considering.
you could customize the color, sheen, and even the shape of the counters.
And it isn’t too hard to care for concrete countertops.
However, like any material, it does have its downsides.
Concrete counters can be expensive to install, and may require further bolstering of your existing cabinets and floors.
And major repairs generally require an expert.
Concrete Countertops Pros, Cons and DIY Basics.
The Concrete data pipe.