Are Concrete Worktops The Next Big Thing?
From solid wood to laminate, and quartz to stainless steel, kitchen worktops boast a huge variety of options for materials. There’s one option that many people forget about – despite the fact that it may be perfect for them – concrete worktops.
Concrete is quickly becoming a popular option for worktops, especially for bespoke kitchens.
Are concrete worktops going to be the next big thing? Here’s why we think they might be:
Design Flexibility of Concrete Worktops
The great thing about concrete for worktops is that it allows excellent flexibility in terms of design.
Unlike quartz worktops that are made in slabs, concrete worktops are made by pouring a liquid mix into a mould. This allows the worktop to be made to pretty much any shape and size that meets your design requirements, without the need for expensive specialist equipment.
With a bit of pigment added in, various tones and shades can be created to complement the rest of the kitchen, making concrete one of the most flexible worktop material options.
That Bespoke Feel
The main reason that concrete worktops are growing in popularity so quickly is the intrinsic uniqueness of each individual worktop.
No concrete sets the same, even in the same mould. Texture, flecking, pitting and dappling will change with every worktop, so yours will be entirely unique to you and your kitchen.
Add that to the fact that concrete is still a niche material for worktops and you are well on the way to having a kitchen that is truly one of a kind.
Perfect For A Kitchen Island
While concrete has its advantages for all of your kitchen worktops, it is when it is used for a kitchen island that it really shines.
Not only does the kitchen island place the concrete worktop as the centrepiece of the kitchen, but design freedom is increased further by the fact that you aren’t pegged in by those pesky walls.
And the great thing is that you can go for simple solid wood worktops for the rest of the kitchen, which looks great with a concrete kitchen island worktop.
The Downsides of Concrete Worktops
Of course, concrete isn’t perfect.
For one, concrete can suffer from cracking. This is especially true of pour-in-place worktops, but can also happen with prefabricated items too if they are exposed to very cold conditions.
Steel rods are often used to strengthen the concrete and avoid this cracking.
Maintenance should also be a consideration. While concrete worktop maintenance is comparable to solid wood or granite worktops, there are some extra care concerns you will have to deal with.
Concrete is very porous, meaning that it sucks up spills and stains easily. These spills do need to be cleaned up quickly to avoid staining, but most staining can be avoided with a thin wax coating.
This also helps to prevent chips and scratches too, though you will need to reapply the wax coating occasionally. If that sounds like too much maintenance, have a look at our regular choice of kitchen worktops.
So, Are Concrete Worktops The Next Big Thing?
It’s looking like concrete worktops are here to stay, especially in custom bespoke kitchens. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised if they only grow in popularity!
With the kitchen becoming the centre of the home and an increasing preference for unique, bespoke design solutions, concrete worktops look set to go mainstream in 2019.
Image credits: Worktop Workshop
