Q: Why choose concrete over granite, corian or solid surface?

Concrete is handmade especially for you. Cast concrete is a refreshing alternative for those seeking a look or design different to the usual mass-produced materials that are becoming commonplace and which, compared to concrete, can lack personality and soul.

Versatile concrete lends itself to almost limitless design possibilities. By modifying its color, surface texture and form, it is adaptable to any setting or style, it can add warmth to a room, or make a design statement.

Concrete can add both practicality and attractiveness to your home by incorporating special features such as drain boards, cutting board slides, trivets and integral sinks. Our clients have also contributed beach pebbles, lucky coins and personal mementos to their projects, which come to reflect the personality of the owners, creating a real sense of “home” in their new house.  No other material can do that. We call our vision “the softer side of concrete”.

Q: How thick are concrete countertops?

Our counters are generally cast 2” thick, or more, which gives them a pleasing sense of mass and sets them apart from the common 1 1/2” thickness of most other countertops. This thickness also provides enough material for integral drain boards and integral cutting boards. Drop edges of 8 inches or more may be incorporated for a heavier look, without adding appreciably to the weight, while our backsplashes are usually 5/8” thick.

Q: Will they be too heavy for my cabinets?

Our countertops weigh approximately 23 lbs. per square foot, which is several pounds more than granite, but well within load capacities for standard North American residential construction. Generally little or no special reinforcement is required to quality-made cabinets. Off-the-shelf store-bought modular cabinets, single-wall, or pressboard cabinets may require vertical plywood reinforcements.

Q: Are there seams?

Most of our countertops will have a seam if over 7’8’’ long. (However, we have poured monolithic pieces up to13’ 6” long for double vanities). Seam tolerances are 1/8" wide and filled with clear silicone sealant. If visual continuity is an issue, we can move the seam to a less conspicuous spot, but we prefer to think of seams as a design opportunity, to be incorporated into the piece as a subtle feature, rather than something to hide. Examples can be seen in our “portfolio “ section.

Q: What about chips and cracks?

We guarantee our products against structural cracks. Our countertop edges are eased to minimize chipping if struck by a hard object and the countertops are strengthened using several types of internal reinforcement. This, with proper curing after casting, eliminates structural cracking. Hairline cracks, though uncommon, can occur in narrow areas. These micro-cracks do not affect the concrete’s strength or durability, nor do they compromise the sealer or usefulness of the countertop. They are inherent to the property of the material and can be easily filled with color-matched epoxy, if need be, but more often are seen as enhancing the timeless beauty and earthen nature of the material, similar to the creases in a leather jacket.

 Q: Will you be working in my new kitchen? What is the process?

Although some countertop makers offer “pour in place”, where the counter is formed and poured right on the cabinets in your home, we never do that. We will come to your home to create exact templates of your space, then return to our production studio and the controlled workspace and curing environment it provides, to make the molds. These molds are then cast upside down, like a cake, offering a far superior surface quality than can be poured in place. This “reverse mold” casting technique also enables us to mold custom designs and features such as drain boards, curved seams and integral backsplashes into the countertop. After the concrete has cured for at least three weeks, they are sealed and ready to be delivered and installed.

Q: How long will it take to make my countertops?

Once we have received a deposit, we will schedule a time to come to make the templates after the drywall has been finished and for a kitchen, usually after the cabinets have been installed. From templating to completed installation of a custom counter is usually four to six weeks and we take pride in consistently meeting our completion date forecasts.

Q: Will my countertops stain?

All natural stone surfaces will stain if left untreated. Cast concrete is about as porous as marble and must be sealed, as naked concrete is vulnerable to acidic liquids such as wine, lemon juice and balsamic vinegar that can discolor the surface.

We can confidently say our sealed countertops resist most household stains, but this is not to say that they are stain proof.

Periodic maintenance (see below) should keep your countertop in great condition, but if you are the type of person that places priority on having a countertop surface that will never change, (such as glass) you will probably not be satisfied with concrete. If little or no maintenance is performed, a patina will develop over time, which can be quite beautiful, much like the richness of an aged butcher block or an antique rocker.

All this to say, concrete is to be used and enjoyed. Unlike granite, cast concrete is not necessarily meant to remain immaculate and has not automatically reached its full potential when new. Through the years the surface may experience a few stains as it develops its “soul”, and if this added character becomes disquieting, our countertops can always be refinished to almost their original lustre relatively easily, even decades later, as they are integrally colored.

Q: What about sealers?

We use food-safe penetrating sealers specifically developed to increase the surface density and protect the concrete surface, while maintaining it’s silky smoothness and allowing our fingers to enjoy its fabulous tactile quality.

Although the ideal sealer has yet to be developed, bright minds are continuing to formulate new sealing technology that offers not only stain protection, but also allows the surface to retain its sensual feel.

Urethane or epoxy coatings offer “bullet-proof” stain resistance, but this is achieved by placing a layer of plastic between our fingertips and the concrete. This protective coating could also be damaged by cutting directly on the surface or by intense heat. What’s more, it is difficult to repair, not to mention the harmful vapours such products produce during application and curing. We therefore chose not to use such topical sealers.

Q: What kind of routine maintenance do they require?

Not much. To best retain the surface lustre we recommend following normal good housekeeping practices, which includes wiping up spills soon after they occur and not allowing liquids to pool. For maintenance, we recommend the use of a neutral, non-ammonia, non-abrasive cleanser and a soft cloth.

A periodic light buff (every few months, or when water no longer beads on the surface) with Carnauba Wax will provide an additional protective layer, add lustre to the stone and help keep your counter beautiful for years to come.

Q: Can I cut on my countertops, or place hot pots on them?

 We do not recommend cutting or placing hot pots directly on the concrete surface. While the concrete itself is heat resistant, the sealer and wax are not. To avoid unsightly marks eventually developing in the surface, we recommend the use of cutting boards and hot plates as you would on most other countertops. These can be designed next to the stove or sink as removable boards, or be cast right into the countertop as stainless or brass strips or as “buttons”.

Q: How does concrete compare to granite on price?

If calculated on a square foot basis, our countertops can cost less, the same or more than granite, which is becoming more affordable and readily available to the masses. Just as paintings are not sold by the square foot, we tend to price our countertops per project, not by size, as not all square feet are created equal.

More creative and technically complex projects require more complex forms and a more sophisticated mold making process. The steps involved in producing certain finishes and textures also vary.  An 8-foot countertop run is not half the price of a sixteen-foot run.

Hand cast concrete is not a commodity product quarried and processed in factories, (which is exactly why many of our clients are drawn to it). Square-foot “volume-based pricing” has been developed by large, automated companies producing hundreds, even thousands of square feet of product daily, shifting the emphasis to production volume and away from where we feel it should be: creating and crafting special pieces responding to our clients needs and wishes. We focus on creating designs and finishes that simply cannot be made of any other material.

This said, exclusiveness is not in everyone’s budget, and certain straightforward designs can be estimated at costing about $85 per square foot and up. Integral concrete vanity sinks start at $400. Our estimates often list optional features for clients to choose from. Gas insert fireplace surrounds and mantles start at about $1500, our curved bathtub skirt surrounds start at $1400.

Q: Who will install the countertops?

We prefer to deliver and install the countertops ourselves in Western Canada to avoid warranty issues and assure complete client satisfaction. Travel and installation charges are quoted in our estimates. Otherwise, we will provide installation instructions, but highly recommend using a contractor who is familiar with solid surface countertops, as the installation procedure is not difficult, but delicate, much like solid surface.

Q: Where can I see some of your work?

In addition to visiting our “portfolio” pages, we encourage people to experience the softer side of concrete first hand. Several of our pieces are in commercial settings and examples can be seen (and felt) in select showrooms on Vancouver Island. Please call or e-mail us for locations and client referrals. (See “contact us” page)

We also welcome visits of our studio/shop (near Nanaimo Airport) by appointment.

Q: I’d like to purchase, what do I do?

You can fax or e-mail us a plan of your countertop or project, or simply call to discuss your project and arrange to see some samples, or have some made up. Ian can work with you on the design and quote a price, following which a 50% deposit is required for work to begin. We will then come out to your home or business to create a template and get the project started. 

If you have any questions that are not covered on this page, please feel free to contact us. Thank you for your interest in our work.