Concrete Countertops & Sinks – Not All They’re “Cracked Up” To Be

We were asked to write a blog about out thoughts on countertops and sinks made from concrete. Now don’t let the title of this blog discourage you from using concrete. In most applications, if installed or manufactured correctly, concrete will not crack. But it can, and you need to ask your fabricator or manufacturer what their warranty policy is on stress cracks and alike.
Concrete can be a really fun material to work with because of the unique shapes and colors that our possible. Concrete is probably one of the most customizable products on the market. You can sculpt, mold, and texturize it to your personal tastes. We have a concrete countertop on display in our showroom, and people love the natural look and unique “chiseled” edge detail. So if your main goal is to use a material that’s funky, fun & different - concrete is certainly one choice.
Most people these days are also concerned with staining. The leading expert in concrete countertops and fixtures is probably Fu-Tung Cheng of Cheng Design in California. He notes on his “Concrete Exchange” website that “properly sealed concrete should not stain. However, unsealed concrete has approximately the same porosity as limestone and marble. In addition to stain susceptibility, acids (especially red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar) will etch the surface if not cleaned up right away.” We recommend getting a small sample of the concrete that will be used on your project and do some testing. Make sure the sample has been sealed, and then let things like red wine, ketchup, etc. dry on the surface and then see if it leaves a stain after cleaning. You may have to wait a day to allow the moisture from cleaning dry out.

Concrete is also used for sinks in kitchens & baths, along with other surfaces in a shower. Again, you can really create some custom curves, angles, and other shapes with concrete, but you should use caution when using concrete on the shower floor, or for well used sinks. Again, quoting the expert, Fu-Tung Cheng – “I do not recommend using concrete as a finished surface in a shower. The force of water cascading from the shower-head will quickly erode a finish layer of cement paste on the floor and reveal the rough texture of the fines (sand). Over time, the exposed layer of cement will trap dirt. This is the primary reason I personally shy away from concrete tubs and concrete vessel sinks. I don't think they stand a chance against the inevitability of water erosion and exposure to dirt and grime on a daily basis.

We concur with Cheng’s opinion. We’ve seen the same type of erosion on kitchen sinks, and bathroom vessel sinks made from concrete. A powder room sink that is not used on a daily basis might be the right spot though for a concrete sink.
Another alternative to concrete is to use products made from recycled glass & Portland cement, so you can still get your concrete fix. It's comparable to granite in strength, scratch resistance, heat resistance, durability, and care & maintenance. Recycled glass products are typically less porous than marble and concrete and equivalent to some granite. But you do have to care for it. 85% of the surface is glass, which is impervious to stain. However, acids (like red wine, lemon juice, and vinegar) will etch the matrix of the surface (the concrete area between the glass) if not cleaned up right away. And staining agents (like coffee and tea) will leave a trace if allowed to remain on the surface.

Or consider solid surface materials like Corian. There are colors available now that can give you the look of concrete, limestone, and more. Corian is a non-porous material, and can be seamed to make maintenance free joints and corners. In my opinion solid surface materials are probably the most practical material for a bathroom. They may not have the “natural” or “earthy” beauty of granite, maple or even concrete, but solid surface materials are the easiest to care for, and are probably the easiest to repair if there is a problem. Though like concrete, granite or limestone there is a high cost associate with solid surface materials.

So as you can see, concrete is not a perfect product, but there really isn’t a perfect product on the market. And yes that includes granite. All products have advantages and disadvantages, no matter what anyone tells you. Your job is to educate yourself on the differences, and determine what product will fill the majority of your needs. Concrete may not be all it’s cracked up to be, but I wouldn’t take it for granite either!