The pros and cons of concrete benchtops

 The cost of building a concrete benchtop will depend on whether you have them professionally installed or you go the DIY route. Also, the cost will increase if you are going to personalise your design. Concrete can be cast into any shape, stained, or textured with various types of finished. You can even embed tiles, stones, and other materials in it.

Pros and Cons of concrete benchtops

• Concrete is durable, but it can crack

The strength of concrete is due to the cement and sand mix, and it can be moulded based on the design you want. In fact, concrete is the same material that creates sidewalks, so it is a viable option for benchtops.
However, concrete can crack, especially if it was poured in place rather than pre-cast. So, it is essential that you do some countermeasures to prevent cracks to a certain extent, and you can do this by adding rebar, fibre reinforcement, and wire mesh. Although some cracks may happen due to the natural settling of the house, they won’t be that significant.

• Cracks can be fixed, but concrete is also susceptible to stains and scratches

Cracks can be fixed using sealers, and those fractures are usually not noticeable on your benchtop. However, concrete is also susceptible to scratches and stains, and they can be absorbed by your concrete if you don’t remove them right away. In fact, bacteria can also accumulate in your concrete counter, so it is a must to seal the surface upon installation.
Also, sealing will make your benchtop heat, stain, and scratch-resistant, but even sealed concrete will show markings, especially if exposed to red wine, olive oil, juice, or coffee. That is why it is essential that you clean your concrete benchtop regularly so you can remove dirt and stains.

• Concrete is very durable

You won’t find any material on the market that is more durable than concrete. Yes, it can acquire scratches and stains but so can every other material, including marble and granite. Some people are bothered by concrete’s imperfections, but other homeowners love its rustic look and feel.
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The bottom line
If you are looking for perfection, concrete may not be the right material for you but if you love that rugged and rustic aesthetic and you are passionate about patina, we recommend that you try a concrete benchtop or even construct your entire home using concrete. You just need to do your research and most importantly, maintain it properly.