Care Cement is the binding agent that holds all of our mixes together. Whether it is what would be called normal concrete or a recycled glass solid surface we use cement as the matrix or glue that holds everything together. The majority of recycled glass solid surfaces use cement, as well. Although cement does an excellent job of holding your countertop together it is a challenging material to seal, as it is extremely absorbent. From the beginning of their popularity, cement based countertops were sealed with sealers designed for granite, marble and other natural stones. Many fabricators still treat cement based products solely with sealers originally designed for natural stones, mainly penetrating sealers that can and should be re-applied periodically. Penetrating sealers work great for most natural stones, such as granite. However, for cement based surfaces they are significantly less effective. So why are they still so heavily used for cement based surfaces? · Ease of initial application and ability and ease of re-application · Great scratch resistance---it soaks in so there is nothing to scratch Although penetrating sealers are helpful on cement they are far from complete for many people. Cement based countertops sealed with penetrating sealers will wear and stain over time unless the utmost care is taken. Even recycled glass mixes, where about 80% of the surface is glass (which is impervious), will eventually build a patina. Many people enjoy this aging process as it shows character that only time can create, but many also find it to be an acquired taste and this is why we like to offer a different sealing option. This hybrid urethane sealer offers excellent stain protection. In fact, this sealer is virtually stain proof, even resisting household acids with ease. This sealer is able to achieve such excellent stain protection because it builds an impenetrable layer on the surface. However, this impentrable layer is topical and therefore susceptible to abrasion wear if it is abused. Gloss, semi gloss and matte options are all available. Our personal preference and recommendation is the semi gloss option, which gives you better abrasion wear while still achieving a nice sheen. With the glossy finish we recommend waxing periodically to protect and enhance the sheen.
Cement’s worst enemy is anything acidic. Wine, vinegar, and lemon juice are examples of substances that will actually etch cement if they are left in contact very long. A penetrating sealer will resist these and other common household offenders like coffee and berry juice for a short amount of time. It is still imperative that these types of substances be cleaned as quickly as possible. It is also important that penetrating sealers be reapplied from time to time. This type of maintenance and these functional restrictions are things that can be greatly minimized and even eliminated with the use of a new urethane sealer designed primarily for cement.
As with virtually all counter tops you should avoid using them as cutting boards and hot pads. Although the concrete itself can handle this type of abuse, severe damage to sealers and waxes can occur.
Urethane Sealer Specifications:
Treated surface can be cleaned with bleach or any other household cleaner (however, avoid harsh abrasives---No scotchbrite pads or steel wool or any other abrasive scrubs)
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) complaint, No off-gassing
Pencil hardness 4H+
200 MEK double rubs; no failure
Sealing/curing is all done in shop
Being informed and choosing the right sealing process for you is important when deciding on any cement based solid surface. We highly encourage investigating what other producers of this type of material have to say about the care and maintenance associated with their products. We are more than happy to answer questions and provide more in depth information. We want our customers to be informed and completely happy with their counters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I use to clean my counter?
You can use whatever you prefer for sanitizing purposes. However, we highly suggest using a streak free cleaner, usually containing ammonia, to achieve optimum appearance. Always use cloth to clean your counter and never an abrasive pad or scrubby. When cleaning a tough or sticky residue always use more cleaning agent rather than more abrasion.
What if my countertop’s sealer is damaged?
The urethane sealer on your countertop can be repaired if it is damaged. However, damage to the sealer will only occur if it is abused, either due to excessive heat exposure or abrasion.
Where is my countertop made and how long does it take to create?
Everything we produce is pre-cast. This means we make a template of your project and then take it back to our shop and fabricate it. From template to installation a counter top generally takes 5 to 6 weeks. Depending on the size, intricacy and other factors like material availability a project can take longer than this and it can also be quicker, as well.
No, because we are building forms specifically for your project there is never any wasted material.
Are there seams?
Yes, because we are pre-casting there are seams. Certain physical restrictions require seams including: weight and mass. If the piece will not fit through the doorway or cannot be safely lifted then it certainly cannot be installed. Seams are quite subtle and are always placed with aesthetics and function in mind.
Do concrete counter tops crack?
They can crack. However, cracks are very rare and are usually what are called hairline cracks, meaning they are very small and do no structural damage and are so small there is no material seperation.
Price
Most of our work is done using recycled glass mixes--- which result in a sustainble, eco-friendly product that can contribute to LEED points. Recycled glass mixes start at $115 per square foot. This base square foot price includes installation. Additional cost can be added when particular edging, design and finishing techniques are chosen. Cutouts for sinks, stoves and other elements are priced individually based on size and intricacy. A general rule to use for quick pricing is to not subtract for the area occupied by a sink, as it requires just as much work, if not more, to fabricate. A full cost breakdown will always be prepared before the start of any job. If you are interested in normal sand and gravel mixes please contact us for pricing. Individual furniture and art pieces are priced per project.
