Prepare a Meal on Concrete
Concrete is no longer for the sidwealk. It is literally moving up in the world to the kitchen counter
When I first heard of concrete countertops I imagined a clunky surface resembling a garage floor on cabinets. However, I soon found out that, unlike other materials, concrete is practical, showy and aesthetic all at the same time.
From its humble beginnings as a mushy mess this age-old material transforms into any shape, size and finish. Then, when it’s dry, you can you can hone and stain the patina to a dazzling finish. And that’s not to mention the countless artistic touches and items you can add to the mix: dyes, shells, metallic objects or colored stones and turquoise from Arizona. In essence, concrete fits in humble abodes, palaces and both traditional and modern settings.
The style has reached such grand proportions that there is a web site dedicated this concrete art: www.concretecountertops.org. On the site it is stated:
“Properly finished and sealed concrete can be virtually impervious to fluids, especially water. The use of hardeners or densifiers can reduce the porosity of concrete to the point where water doesn’t penetrate. And impervious coatings that are properly applied can provide waterproof barriers that seal the concrete and prevent contaminants from actually getting to the concrete. Some coatings actually provide anti-microbial protection, as defined by the EPA.”
Are they heavy? Some of the first concrete countertops weighed over 1500 pounds, straining the backs of men and burning out the hoists putting them in place. It was like placing a grand piano in your kitchen via the kitchen window. But new composites and reinforcing methods have brought down that weight to around 17lbs. per square foot, a shade heavier than the 16lbs. per square foot that granite weighs.
Concrete surfaces can be fashioned in a shop and installed on top of the cabinets - like granite - or they can be poured and finished right in the kitchen on the cabinets. The forms used are very finely finished and sturdily built. They must also be perfect to avoid laborious grinding and made to come apart easily so as not to chip pieces off the finish.
And since no two are alike, you will have a true piece of art.
2 comments February 15, 2008
