Frequently Asked Questions

Why Concrete?
From water, sand, aggregate and cement, you can transform concrete into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. It can be ground, polished, colored, and stained. Concrete has substance, permanence, and warmth.
Concrete is adaptable. It can be used in all areas of your home, including the kitchen and bathroom, flooring, fireplaces, patios, garden paths, and water features. Concrete can also play a supporting role to tile, mosaics, decorative aggregates, stone, wood, or metal.
Concrete is a greener and potentially healthier option for countertops. Concrete is local, durable, sustainable, and recyclable, while other countertops are manufactured in factories from mineral particles and epoxies and trucked hundreds of miles to a fabrication shop before it reaches you.
Why consider concrete as a material for interior applications like my kitchen or bathroom counters?
Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetically pleasing. From primal and formless material, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, color, or stain it. You can embed meaningful artifacts within it.
What are the advantages of concrete countertops over marble or granite? How does concrete compare to granite in terms of both cost (per square foot) and surface texture?
The biggest advantage of concrete over natural stone, like marble or granite, is that it is completely customizable; you can sculpt, mold, and color it to your desire — creating something original and meaningful while saving money. If you have a concrete kitchen or bathroom counter made for you, the cost will be based on the complexity of the form, the mold-making process, and the desired finish, rather than the size. Material cost comparisons should be done on a project-by-project basis. Unlike natural stone that can not be customized, concrete color is limited only by your imagination.
Do concrete countertops have an application in more traditional kitchens?
Yes, absolutely. Style is dictated by design; concrete can adapt to any look and have a “warmer” feel than other natural stone. Edge detailing and decorative inlays can help a concrete counter blend into more traditional environments. Unlike natural stone that can not be customized, concrete color is not limited.
Would concrete countertops be good for exterior use such as an outdoor barbeque countertop? How will a colored concrete countertop hold up in the sunshine?
Concrete is perhaps the most ideal building material for exterior use on the planet. Colored Concrete will hold up great in any outdoor setting with virtually no upkeep required.
Other Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between concrete and cement?
Simply put, cement is an ingredient, or component, of a concrete mix. Much like an egg is to a cake, cement is the binding ingredient that bonds the other components in a concrete mix, or batch, together. A typical batch of concrete is made up of 80% sand and stone with only the remaining 20% being comprised of cement.
What is the lead time for an average kitchen counter project?
Once cabinets are installed and appliance/plumbing specs are on site, we can build templates and field measure. From this day it would take three weeks until we install.
Does Concrete Creations offer any type of warranty?
At its sole discretion, Concrete Creations shall repair or replace any product that fails as a result of a manufacturing defect within the first year of ownership.
What colors of concrete are available?
We have 19 colors of concrete to choose from. Please be aware that the colors you view on our website can vary greatly depending on the type of computer monitor and graphics card that you have. We recommend that you contact us to see the colors that we have available in person.
Click here to see our color selection on our portfolio page.
Do your concrete colors vary?
Occasionally. Some degree of color variation can occur and could be expected due to changes in weather, cure time, and other external issues.
Does Concrete Creations offer custom colors?
Yes, we can match virtually any color you may want.
What is the biggest size slab Concrete Creations can make?
Approximately 10′ x 3′. Just as the entry ways into your home limit the size of your furniture, it also limits the size of the countertops we can get into your building.
Are your concrete countertops reinforced and how?
Yes. Our concrete countertops are made from a very strong and dense mix. Reaching levels of 6-8000 psi. In addition to sand and aggregate, our mix design includes polymer fiber reinforcement to increase flexural and tensile strength. Our pieces are reinforced with steel re-bar to insure structural integrity.
What does the finish look and feel like?
Our concrete products are hand-made and hand-finished. Since concrete is a heterogeneous mixture of several different ingredients, subtle variations in color, shade, and overall appearance could be expected. We feel these characteristics to be an advantage and feel it gives character to the piece.
Our concrete is available in many colors and finishes. We can help you come up with the perfect look and feel for your custom project. Our standard finish, and most popular, is our “Natural Look”. The texture is smooth-as-satin to the touch, and has a clean, consistent presence while still having some variation. This keeps it looking and feeling like concrete and not mistaken for any other surface. Our concrete is sealed with a top-of-the-line topical sealer, creating a surface that is easy to clean and extremely stain resistant.
We do offer other finishes which include hi-gloss and satin finish.
Can I use concrete countertops as a cutting surface?
As with marble or granite, we do not recommend cutting directly on a concrete surface; it could result in scratches and gouges in the finish of your countertop as well as damage to your cutlery.
Will my concrete ever crack?
No, our concrete will not crack on its own accord. We guarantee it. We take great pride in the quality of our mix and mix design to ensure the maximum performance. We’re constantly striving to improve our products to ensure they will resist the daily wear and tear countertops endure over their lifetime. However, concrete is not “unbreakable.” As with any material, concrete can be broken or damaged, however the great news is our countertops are repairable on-site, unlike most other materials.
Will my concrete stain?
Unsealed concrete is porous and can stain. However our concrete is sealed with a top of the line concrete topical sealer that will make your tops extremely stain resistant and easy to clean.
How do I clean my concrete countertop or sink?
You can clean your concrete counter tops with almost any regular household cleaner.
Can I put a hot pan on a concrete counter top?
Our sealer will handle up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit . Please exercise common sense. If the bottom of your pot is glowing red, odds are something should be between your pot and the countertop. I would advise heat mats for all pots.
What is GFRC Concrete?
GFRC stands for Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete. Glass fiber-reinforced concrete consists of high-strength glass fiber that is embedded in a c cementitious matrix. In this form, both fibers and matrix keep their chemical and physical properties. However, the combination of these materials achieve a strong lightweight concrete product that can be used to build strong lighter weight concrete applications such as walls, tables, fireplaces and other concrete fixtures.