The world's foremost resource on decorative concrete
Precast or poured on-site, concrete countertops can be made in a wide array of colors, finishes and textures in any shape imaginable with endless embed options, imprinted features and edge treatments.
Right at the start, we decided that the focal point of the kitchen would be the island. At that time we were unsure about what material we would use for the island top, so we went on a quest. We spent several days visiting virtually all of the natural stone distributors in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area.
Troy Lemon, Cornerstone Decorative Concrete, Fennville, Mich., completed this bathroom in a Chicago home for Sam Averbuch, president of the Preval division of Chicago Aerosol.
According to Jeffrey Girard, P.E., founder of The Concrete Countertop Institute, concrete with calcium sulphoaluminate (CSA) is the way to go for countertops.
"When I first used CSA instead of portland cement, I recognized that it offers a technological advantage," he says.
Are you new to countertops? Are you confused about what the term "wet-cast" means? Here’s a look at fluid concrete mixes for wet-casting as compared to stiff mixes for hand-packing, which is also known as "the Buddy Rhodes method."
With concrete countertops becoming more popular by the day, mastering the art has become a priority for many contractors. But finding the perfect mix of concrete and additives to mold into the tight corners and custom shapes of many countertop projects is a complicated, not to mention expensive, process.
When Shawn Halverson, president of Surfacing Solutions Inc., agreed to create a few conference tables for First Team Real Estate in Newport Beach, Calif., he had no idea what the final product would look like — or what challenges he would endure along the way.
Have you ever asked potential customers to dress like pirates to make a sale? Outdoor-concrete expert Scott Cohen did — and it worked.
If you’re a concrete contractor in Canada and are considering expanding your business to include countertops, you may appreciate the insights shared by Judy Mead of Concrete Countertops Canada.
Ben Ashby got an early education in concrete from a father who he says was “stubborn as a mule and tough as nails,” but who also provided the young Ashby with the drive and motivation to succeed.
Outdoor kitchens are a popular request no matter where you live, but typically when you read a book or see a television show featuring outdoor kitchens, the contractor is doing them in a warm climate.
