So, you’re ready to fix up your fixer-upper, and since you’ve always loved interiors with an industrial vibe concrete kitchen counters were your ideal option. Still, consider these pros and cons of concrete counters before your choice is set in stone.
Pros
Concrete counters are very durable. Most contractors use glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC), which further enhances its strength and durability and makes the finished product less likely to crack.
The strength of glass fiber reinforced concrete enables you to have long seamless spans of countertop, which can be ideal if you like large multipurpose islands. Concrete works well for islands that have a waterfall edge feature, where the counter continues down both sides of the island.
You can customize the color of your concrete counters to just about any pigment that suits your fancy. You can even replicate the look of marble, granite, wood, and other materials. You may even opt to have decorative glass added to the concrete mix.
You can control the reflectivity of your concrete counters and have them polished to a mirror shine, if you so choose.
Features like trivets, drain boards, and cutting boards can be cast into your counters to enhance functionality and convenience.
Cons
Concrete counters are prone to staining, so you’ll have to seal them and periodically reapply a sealant. You’ll also have to be vigilant about cleaning up spills, and not allowing them to sit for too long.
Be aware that after your counters are poured it can take as many as 28 days for them to cure before they’re ready for use.
Because concrete counters can involve a high level of handcrafting and customization you may pay more for labor than with other countertop materials where fabrication and installation are less labor-intensive.
