concrete countertops anyone?

[cdubya]

I know this is a little off subject here, but you guys seem pretty diverse. I've always been interested in the concrete countertops, and was considering one for our hall bath. Anyone have much experience with this or know of some good literature on the subject. It would be placed over a custom wall mounted cab.

[MarkMc]

Do the google < cheng concrete countertops > for starters.

[cdubya]

Thanks Mark
Ordered the book+DVD. Maybe I'll pick this back up once I learn a little more of the basics.

[Dancing Dan]

I think Chen even sells a kit for beginners. I've seen several first-timers do some pretty nice things with concrete tops.

[mbyrne]

Concrete countertops are the latest darling of designers, but who wants a top that is absorbant and requires frequent re-applications of sealer, impregnators, etc. They may be OK for a dry-use countertop, but I do not recommend concrete tops (or any other materials that require the addition of a waterproofing or stain-fighting agent to achieve water and stain resistance.)

[Unforgiven]

Wouldn't a 4,000+ psi mix be waterproof?

[MarkMc]

Ain't nothing maint free even tile; like any product it's a matter of understanding what the material properties are and how to make them work for you. Most folks wouldn't recommend wood counters either, and that's fine and their loss. I thought the conc had run it's course out there by now.

[Allan Edwards]

I just completed a 5 million$ house and the kitchen is all concrete counters. We're photographing the house this week. Personally, I would rather use natural stone, I just don't think concrete counters stand the test of time. But I have used them 8-9 times with no major problems. Yet.

Actually, as I think about it one did develop some small hairline cracking, and one client complained about food getting into the small holes that concrete sometimes has.

[David Meiland]

I've had concrete countertops done a couple of times. They do require some maintenance. The sub who does mine has done a great job of making a product that doesn't crack and has no holes in it at all. I'd put them in my own house (probably will sometime soon) but then I'm so... tired... of stone counters. Guy I know has been making absolutely cool bronze counters, but I'm afraid to even ask what they cost.

[mbyrne]

My all-time favorite countertop is located in the bar at the Encounter restaurant overlooking LAX. It is mostly slumped and fused glass. The ride up the elevator is a trip in itself. If you are stuck at LAX for more than 2 hours, it's worth a visit. Last time I was through LA, the Encounter was completely embedded in scaffolding, but still open. Great place to drink and watch the planes come and go.

[David Meiland]

No doubt that cost more than the magical $100/foot number that no one wants to exceed.

[cdubya]

I'm pretty sick of stone counters myself. The bath is pink with gray border tile, set in a wet bed, circa 1958. The tile is all in good shape, and I don't think the small bath can handle any more tile. I was thinking the concrete for a bit of a natural look to tone down the existing tile a bit, without going to stone.
Maybe there are some other materials that would fit the look? As much as possible I'm trying to keep a bit of a modernist flair to the house. Restored the terrazo when we moved in (that was some real work, and not much info on the techniques).
Other suggestions on a beer budget?

[cdubya]

And not that it should make a huge difference, but this is the hall bath for a family of 2 (plus a dog).

[David Meiland]

Snap a photo of that bad boy and post it, we'll tell you what you need...

You can probably succeed first or second time with a concrete top yourself, but it's a lot of hassle IMO.

[MarkMc]

Actually, as I think about it one did develop some small hairline cracking, and one client complained about food getting into the small holes that concrete sometimes has.

For a food surface it sounds as if it was a bad finishing job. I've made too many sinks as well as used too many to say that the holes are inherent to a properly finished product. Had a part time job at a photo lab in Atlanta where there were old [circa 1930] conc sinks still in service exposed to some rather harsh chemistry -that showed they could be durable.

The one thing I found troubling for many was the low cost expectations for a quality custom product and color/texture consistency variables.