Concrete kitchen counters
We are renovating our kitchen and thinking about installing concrete counters. Does anyone have any experience with them? We’re thinking of using a company called Fireslate. They seal them, but I am still a bit scared that the counters will not be durable enough. Thanks.
We are renovating our kitchen and thinking about installing concrete counters. Does anyone have any experience with them? We’re thinking of using a company called Fireslate. They seal them, but I am still a bit scared that the counters will not be durable enough.
Thanks.
I heard good things about a small co. in the nabe- oso industries- they do furniture that i saw at the brooklyn designs show, but also do countertops (they did our friends bathroom- looked great)
I looked into concrete countertops when I renovated my kitchen last year but found they were as expensive as granite. And they do stain — I have seen this in a friend’s kitchen. I personally don’t mind the staining so much, but I didn’t want to spend that kind of $.
I wound up using soapstone and LOVE it. The finish is matte rather than shiny like granite (honed granite is matte, but even more costly). The stone is soft, so my carpenter was able to put it in himself using ordinary tools, even cutting an undermount sink opening. Nothing stains it and you can put hot pots on it with no problem. It can be nicked or scratched, but scratches disappear with age and mineral oil application. After a year my countertop looks great. I can’t remember exactly what I paid, but it was about $25 per square foot + my carpenter’s time for installation vs $90 per square foot for granite, installed. We got the stone at Teixeira’s in New Jersey. They import from Brazil and are very receptive and helpful to DIYers. Website is http://www.soapstones.com. Check it out.
someone referred me to nucrete – non staining concrete synthetic..anyone got any experience?
Thanks for the info HC! , I was considering Fireslate. So glad to know that this product sucks big time!
Yikes. Thanks for sending that. That’s awful.
I haven’t seen them in person, but here is a cautionary tale about the counters. http://www.fire-slate.com/
There is also a company at Navy Yard that makes a recycled concrete/recycled glass material called Icestone (http://www.icestone.biz) that I would liek to use when I finally get a chance to do my kitchen. I figure the visual texture would hide marks that might occur on the concrete. . .