CUSTOM CONCRETE SOLUTIONS
PORTFOLIO:
• KITCHEN COUNTERTOP
• BATH COUNTERTOP
• CONCRETE FOR THE GARDEN
• CONCRETE FIREPLACES
• CONCRETE FURNITURE
• COMMERCIAL CONCRETE
CONCRETE COLOR SAMPLES
SHOP & SHOWROOM LOCATION:
Counterpart, LLC of Raleigh
3209-101 Wellington Court
Raleigh, NC 27615
919.302.5496
dbanko@counterpartllc.com
This Guide to Concrete Countertops and other concrete applications will help you decide if concrete is right for you. Should you have any questions not clearly addressed, please contact Counterpart, LLC.
Q: Who would want a concrete countertop?
A: Anyone who wants unique and personal countertop options. Concrete is a great alternative for people who think granite is too shiny, formal and common, or that other solid–surface countertop options look and feel like plastic.
Concrete countertops are the most unique and personal countertop selections available because they are made from scratch for each client. High–quality, hand–crafted concrete countertops have natural character, are easy to care for and come in completely customizable colors–an option not possible with other countertop materials.
Q: What are the advantages of concrete compared to other countertop material choices?
A: Concrete countertops offer many advantages. The biggest advantage is that concrete is completely customizable to fit your project’s needs. Concrete is extremely versatile and can enhance any style ranging from French Country to Contemporary or from Traditional to Modern.
Concrete countertops are also very practical, cost–efficient and easy to maintain. Counterpart LLC’s sealer provides a surface that is extremely stain–resistant and low maintenance. Our sealer does not degrade, so it does not need to be reapplied every year as many other sealers require. Because most food items will not stain our countertops, their durability can last a lifetime.
The natural variations that occur in concrete countertops present another advantage. Because concrete countertops are handmade and hand–finished, subtle variations in color, shade, texture and overall appearance add to the natural beauty of the product.
Concrete exhibits natural beauty rather than plastic perfection.
Dimensions of most materials (such as granite) are naturally limited. Concrete countertops can be formed into any shape or size, presenting limitless possibilities for any project.
Q: Where can I use concrete in my home?
A: Concrete can be utilized to make custom countertops for kitchens, bathrooms, fireplace mantles and surrounds, tables and desks–anywhere countertops are required. Concrete countertops can be straight, curved, notched or multi level . . . the options are limitless! Unlike granite, which would drastically increase in cost for curved shapes because of additional material needed, customizing concrete in this way simply involves some extra complexity and labor in forming.
Horizontal countertops must be at least 1.5" thick. Counterpart, LLC can make thicker countertops as well as fabricated front–edge returns up to 12" deep.
Concrete can also be used in vertical applications such as backsplashes, shower surrounds, tile, wall panels, furniture bases and more. Generally, the concrete is 3/4" thick for these applications.
Integral vessel sinks are also possible. Concrete countertops can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Q: Will my concrete countertop or other concrete applications change as they age?
A: Depending on what sealer is used will determine how the concrete will "patina" over time.
Q: I’d like a unique, custom–designed concrete design, but don’t know exactly what I want. What should I do?
A: Counterpart, LLC offers consultation services and presents creative options for all customers. Our creative professionals will take your needs, personality and vision into account to help you design the perfect concrete fixture for any application.
Q: What are the disadvantages of concrete compared to other countertop material choices?
A: The disadvantages of concrete are limited.
Staining can occur if a substance is not wiped up quickly. Concrete countertops sealed with a penetrating sealer actually perform similar to granite in this regard because they are both porous and have to be sealed and maintained. Most people don’t realize this because granite is usually too dark and patterned to show stains. However, food acids and oils will not stain your concrete countertop if wiped up immediately.
Scratching concrete is also possible even though the sealer is very durable. For kitchen applications, you should continue using cutting boards to protect your concrete countertops.
Q: How much do concrete countertops cost?
A: Even though it is a completely handcrafted material, concrete is competitively priced with standard countertop materials–even high–end granite. Prices can range from $75 to over $120 per square foot. Counterpart, LLC will happily work with you and your designer or contractor to provide options that fit your style and budget.
Q: What colors are available?
A: Any color! Counterpart, LLC has developed hundreds of colors. Any color can be produced in a solid, speckled or variegated pattern. You can also choose to embed stone, glass or other objects of any color, size and density. Your possibilities are endless, guaranteeing that the final product provided by Counterpart, LLC is one–of–a–kind!
Q: What is the process for choosing custom colors?
A: Counterpart, LLC can customize existing colors or match the color of an item such as a paint chip or fabric. The process takes about 2 weeks. We will produce two or more 6" x 6" samples and present them for your approval.
Q: How much color variation can occur?
A: Concrete is a natural, handmade material. Many factors such as humidity, sand lot and cement lot can affect the final appearance of the concrete. All of our color formulas record the type of sand, type of cement, and exact measurements of pigments to 1/10th of a gram, and we use specially developed software to calculate mix design. However, these factors can still cause colors to vary.
Another factor that contributes to perceived variation is the size of samples. A 3" x 3" sample (or even a 6" x 6" sample) will not look the same as a whole countertop simply because the small sample does not capture all of the natural, random variations that will occur over a larger surface. The color in a 3" x 3" sample may appear completely uniform, but a whole countertop in that exact same color will not appear as uniform. The same situation occurs with other natural materials such as granite. If you are looking for perfect uniformity, solid surface countertops might be a better option for you.
Q: What edges are available?
A: Edging in concrete can be formed and cast, or the concrete can be cut like granite or other solid surfaces. Cast edge choices depend on the availability of appropriate trim molding. For example, Counterpart, LLC can do pencil, beveled, concave and reverse cove edging, and other custom edges may be available. Edging may be placed on the top or bottom of the countertop. Bullnose edging is available for countertops that are at least 2" thick.
Q: What kind of sinks and cook tops can be used with concrete countertops?
A: Counterpart, LLC’s concrete countertops can accommodate all types of sinks including drop–in, under mount and apron front. The minimum lip of concrete around all sides of sinks is 3".
Concrete can also accommodate drop-in cook tops. The minimum lip of concrete in the front of a cook top is 3"; we recommend 3" for the back also, but 2" will suffice.
Q: Can Counterpart, LLC make integral concrete sinks?
A: Counterpart, LLC can make integral concrete sinks of almost any shape. Bathroom vanities are an excellent application of integral concrete sinks.
Concrete vessel sinks are also possible, and concrete’s versatility means that the sink can be any color, shape and size.
Q: Can backsplashes be made out of concrete?
A: Backsplashes are cast and finished separately and are deck–mounted after the countertops are installed. Backsplashes are nominally 3/4" thick and can be from 3" high to full height. For a flawless and finished appearance, outlet openings are cast in rather than cut on–site.
Q: Will concrete countertops stain?
A: Bare, unsealed or polished concrete countertops will indeed stain, but Counterpart, LLC uses a special sealer to prevent undesired blemishes.
Bare concrete is very porous and will stain easily unless sealed. Virtually all concrete countertops are sealed for stain prevention; however, the degree to which these sealers work varies significantly. Commonly used sealers include wax and penetrating acrylic sealer. Both of these are inexpensive and easy to apply. However, neither offer significant stain or heat resistance, and both require frequent and tedious reapplication to prevent the formation of a "patina."
Counterpart, LLC’s sealer is different. We use a high–performance sealer that is exceptionally durable and provides excellent resistance to incidental contact with staining agents such as red wine, lemon juice and olive oil. Complete care instructions are provided by Counterpart, LLC’s Concrete Owner’s Guide.
Q: Will concrete countertops scratch?
A: While the concrete sealer used by Counterpart, LLC is durable, it can scratch if cut with a knife or subjected to heavy, sharp objects dragged across the surface. Cutting on the concrete may compromise the integrity of the sealer and allow stains to permeate the concrete matrix. Cutting on the concrete will also ruin knives. Remember, concrete is made with stone–the same thing used to sharpen knives–so it will dull them just as easily. We recommend the use of cutting boards at all times.
Q: Can I put hot pots on the countertops?
A: The sealer Counterpart, LLC uses is extremely heat resistant; however, we still recommend using trivets as you would on other countertop surfaces. Concrete can micro–crack if exposed to high heat, and some sealers are not elastic enough to "absorb" these micro–cracks, producing a surface that appears "crazed."
Q: How are concrete countertops made?
A: All of the concrete slabs are precast in our shop and fully finished and sealed prior to installation using one of two basic processes: cast–in–place or precast.
Precast concrete countertops move all of the processes off–site into a controlled environment. In the structural engineering community, it is well known that precast concrete is superior to cast–in–place concrete because tighter quality control can be exercised. Curing, a commonly misunderstood and critical step, can be closely monitored. Moving the process to a shop allows greater flexibility in terms of the look of the concrete. Glass, stone and other objects can now be embedded, as these require extensive wet grinding with diamond power tools to reveal the objects and to hone and smooth the resulting surface. After precast, completed concrete fixtures are carefully taken to their sites and installed.
Q: What is the necessary lead time for a custom concrete countertop?
A: Although countertops are one of the last items to be installed, concrete countertops should be selected as early as possible. Here is an outline of the process:
1. Color Selection: Counterpart, LLC often performs custom color matching and submits samples for your approval. Allow approximately two weeks for this process. See "custom colors" for more information.
2. Templating: Counterpart, LLC completes templating from finished and installed cabinetry in less than one day.
3. Fabrication: The typical time required to fabricate most concrete countertops varies from three to four weeks, depending on size and complexity. Though Counterpart, LLC makes efficiency a priority, the fabrication process may not start immediately after templating because of our production schedule. Contact Counterpart, LLC at the beginning of the project or, at the latest, one month before cabinetry is scheduled to be installed. This allows enough time for custom color samples and secures a spot on Counterpart, LLC’s production schedule.
4. Installation: Because Counterpart, LLC’s concrete countertops are precast and prefinished, installation generally takes less than one day.
Q: How are templates made?
A: Templates for concrete countertops are the same as for granite. Templating is done after any existing countertops are removed by your contractor, or after new cabinets are fully installed. Almost all concrete countertops require physical templates from the finished and installed cabinetry. For some applications, like small or freestanding pieces, we can fabricate templates from CADD drawings.
For your convenience, Counterpart, LLC professionals will advise on all templating requirements for your project, and will also provide your contractor with a templating checklist to aid in preparation. All fixtures that penetrate the concrete, such as sinks and faucets, must be available at templating time.
Q: How are the countertops installed?
A: Concrete countertops are handled and installed just like granite. Any seams are caulked with a color–matched acrylic caulk. Your contractor needs to allow for sufficient setting time and should arrange plumbing and electrical hookup no earlier than 24 hours after countertop installation.
Q: Are there any special structural considerations?
A: A square foot of 1.5" thick concrete weighs about 17 lbs; a square foot of 3 cm granite weighs about 16.5 lbs. Typically, no special considerations are necessary for standard kitchen or bathroom vanity countertops. Cantilevered slabs, bar tops on knee walls and similar situations sometimes require brackets or other structural support for the countertops. Counterpart, LLC will advise on all support requirements.
Q: Does Counterpart, LLC offer a warranty for concrete countertops?
A: Yes. Counterpart, LLC warrantees the structural integrity of the concrete for one year after installation. Of course, the countertops will last a lot longer, but if any problems were to occur, they would occur within the first year. We subject the concrete to much larger stresses while handling it than clients ever could once it is installed. In addition, Counterpart, LLC provides each client with an Owner’s Guide and a direct phone number for support from David Banko, President.
Q: I’m interested in finding green solutions for my home or business. Is concrete environmentally friendly?
A: Yes and no. The normal process of manufacturing traditional portland cement is not ’green,’ but the special CSA (calcium sulphoaluminate) cement mix used by Counterpart, LLC is produced in a way that emits 60% less carbon dioxide and no calcium hydroxide–reducing problems such as cracking, curling and efflorescence. Other benefits of CSA cement include: time savings, higher flexural and tensile strength and increased overall hardness of the finished product. In addition, Counterpart, LLC strives to use materials made locally whenever possible, reducing the carbon footprint of our products due to transportation.
The sealer used by Counterpart, LLC is also environmentally friendly, and as many materials as possible are purchased locally to further reduce Counterpart, LLC’s carbon footprint.
Q: I heard that fiber optics can be incorporated into some custom concrete products. How do they work?
A: Concrete offers more custom options than do other materials, including embedded fiber optics. A popular commercial application–especially in restroom vanities and reception countertops–fiber optics can add a truly unique element to your environment.
Choices in fiber optics include size, density and pattern. Color is also an option, but one that can be changed at any time by simply changing the LED bulb in your light source. The bulb dictates the color (or sequence of alternating colors) that twinkles through your concrete fixture because the fiber optic cable itself is clear.
When light sources are turned off, the fiber optics are not visible and the countertop looks solid. LED bulbs that light the fiber optics generate no heat and generally last for about 10,000 hours before they need to be replaced.
Q: Whom can I contact with questions or to discuss a project?
A: Contact Dave Banko at 919.302.5496 or email dbanko@counterpartllc.com
For any questions you still have or to discuss how Counterpart, LLC can custom design unique concrete applications for you, please contact us.