Great Countertops
by Rob Spiegel
What type of hard surface can give off a mixture of colors, patterns and sheens? Not marble or slate. Nope, it’s concrete, one of the trendiest materials used for decorative countertops. In this feature, several manufacturers showcase just a few of the effects that have been achieved with their materials.

Concrete countertops are gaining attention as an inexpensive way to bring elegance and beauty into homes and commercial settings. “Homeowners and architects are starting to recognize that concrete countertops can fit into and elevate any style from modern to rustic,” says Jeffrey Girard, president of the Concrete Countertop Institute in Raleigh, N.C.

Girard notes that concrete has become a key element to consider when building new kitchens and bathrooms. “Concrete-countertop makers are starting to recognize they are part of a larger community that overlaps with the kitchen and bath industry as well as the decorative concrete industry,” he says.

One of the biggest challenges in using concrete as a countertop is protecting it from stains. Moisture is the enemy of concrete, and there is plenty of moisture in kitchens and bathrooms.

Concrete’s natural tendency to crack is another concern for customers. “Homeowners like the look of decorative concrete, but they’re concerned about stains and cracks,” says Steve Rosenblatt, president of Sonoma Cast Stone in Petaluma, Calif. “In recent years (our company has) developed a new surface that is virtually unstainable. And it gives the concrete the high-end look people want.”