CONCRETE WORKTOPS
The material for the manufacture of concrete countertops is interior concrete – it is a hardened mixture based on a binder. Often, cement is traditionally used as the latter. The mixture also includes various aggregates:
- Small pebbles
- Sand
- Organic fillers
- Water
CLEANING THE CONCRETE SURFACE FROM CONTAMINATIONS
concrete garden table is a porous material, so any contamination is difficult to remove. Organic substances are clogged in the pores of the material. Concrete must be protected from contact with various acids, the latter destroy calcium, which is the main binder in concrete. Even lemon juice is dangerous for the concrete surface, a drop of it will leave a matte speck.
This disadvantage of concrete countertops is successfully eliminated by polymerizing their surface. The polymer substance covers the entire surface of the countertop in a thin uniform layer and prevents direct contact of concrete with the environment. The countertop protected in this way can be easily washed from any contamination, it is not afraid of products with a strong coloring effect:
- Wine
- Coffee
- Vinegar
- Tomato paste
- Other
IS IT POSSIBLE TO USE THE CONCRETE SURFACE AS A CHOPPING BOARD?
The concrete used for the manufacture of countertops is a durable material, it is not inferior in hardness to granite, but the polymer coating is less stable. Therefore, it is not recommended to use the table top as a cutting surface, as this can easily scratch the table surface.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO PLACE HOT DISHES ON THE WORKTOP?
Actually, concrete can withstand high temperatures, but the polymer coating is less heat-resistant. Experiments have shown that polymer-coated concrete countertops can safely withstand prolonged contact with objects whose temperature is less than 150 degrees Celsius. This means that the pots can be safely placed on the worktop immediately after the stove. But with a hot frying pan, it is better not to risk it, otherwise the surface of the table may melt.
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DO WITHOUT A PROTECTIVE POLYMER LAYER?
Such countertops can be used in conditions where the likelihood of regular contamination is almost completely excluded, for example, in a living room or bedroom. It is not recommended to use unprotected countertops in the kitchen or bathroom.
Worktops without a polymer coating need to be treated with impregnations from time to time, they do not provide a high level of protection, but they extend the life of the table.
DOES THE FURNITURE CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORKTOP?
This question is asked by users who do not change all kitchen furniture, but only the countertop itself. Only a specialist can answer this question. According to the manufacturing method, two types of concrete countertops are distinguished:
- Sprayable
- Filler
The first type of countertops weighs little, so they are suitable for any furniture. Filled countertops, on the other hand, are heavy, so before installing them, you will have to strengthen the furniture structure with a frame.
WAYS TO DECORATE CONCRETE
There are several ways to decorate a concrete surface:
- When the concrete is still in a liquid state, you can add colored ingredients to it that will color it in the desired color, white colorizers are most popular;
- Also, colored pebbles, shells, broken or rounded glass can be added to the concrete solution as a filler;
- There is a technology for decorating concrete with inserts made of valuable wood species.
The surface of the countertop can be one of two varieties according to the type of grinding:
- Cement milk – with such grinding, white spots and “streaks” are noticeable on the sides of the countertop;
- Deep – with this type of grinding, the surface of the countertop has a granular structure, sometimes individual grains of sand are visible on it.
WHERE CAN I BUY A CONCRETE WORKTOP?
In Ukraine, a couple of dozen enterprises are engaged in the production of countertops, so a single market for countertops has not yet been formed. A concrete countertop cannot be purchased, it can only be ordered. If there is no workshop in your city, then you will have to do all the measurements yourself. Concrete craftsmen can make a tabletop according to your measurements and send it to your city.
COST OF CONCRETE WORKTOPS
As mentioned above, a single market for concrete countertops has not yet formed, so the cost of products varies greatly depending on the manufacturer. A square meter can cost you ten thousand or eighty thousand rubles.
WHY IS IT WORTH BUYING A CONCRETE WORKTOP?
The advantage of concrete is that each product is unique. Patina, stains, stains always appear on the surface of concrete, each tabletop has its own special pattern. Also, do not forget that concrete is an absolutely environmentally friendly material that does not emit harmful substances.