Comments on: Making a Case for Concrete

By: dd hodges

dd hodges — Wed, 18 Feb 2015 05:35:01 +0000

In reply to Kevin. Kevin, you're stupid.

By: Kevin

Kevin — Mon, 09 Feb 2015 20:16:30 +0000

In reply to sarah. I'm sorry to tell you, but your snotty little kids would hit their head on ANY kind of countertop, regardless of material composition.

By: hMh

hMh — Tue, 16 Sep 2014 03:42:24 +0000

In reply to AManda. Please PLEASE can u give us the product Info on which food-safe sealer YOU guys used that u were able to leave spaghetti sauce on!???? Love to know THAT brand and your sealing process, did u finish w wax? How often? Thank u thank u!!homemadehome@icloud.com

By: Jane

Jane — Tue, 15 Jul 2014 12:26:15 +0000

In reply to Caitlin. Wondering if you followed the Cheng Sealing directions, i.e., soaking the countertop with water then sealant? If so, did the Feather Finish hold up to all that wetness?

By: Denise

Denise — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 21:49:00 +0000

I was thinking of doing this to make countertops. Just wondering if you decided to do it or not?

By: Debra

Debra — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 04:44:41 +0000

This website details how “SunsetSammy” tested all of the sealers:

https://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg022051331658.html

after reading this, I don’t think concrete counters are not a good choice for putting in for a rental unit. I don’t want to have to educate tenants on upkeep…. esp. since they won’t.

By: Tania @ Run To Radiance

Tania @ Run To Radiance — Wed, 11 Dec 2013 17:36:38 +0000

I’m just seeing this post but I wanted to share that we did concrete countertops in our kitchen last year! You can see them here https://www.runtoradiance.com/2013/01/11/sealing-concrete-countertops/
I really, really love them. We made them extra thick and they are gray and imperfect and perfect. BUT I will say hey are impossible to keep from staining. We have little oil splatters around our cooktop, and a few water rings and some wine spots, but that doesn’t really bother me too much. They tell you to re-seal them every 6 months but I would recommend every 2-3. So there is definitely maintenance but worth it! 🙂

By: Kim Loftis

Kim Loftis — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 16:40:27 +0000

Hi Mandi! I’m a recent follower and really love your style! Come decorate my house!!

So I actually sell concrete countertops! (Meld USA, here in NC and 74% recycled glass aggergate) They are used a lot in kitchens and are a great choice. You are correct that the sealer is what will determine how stain resistant they will be. Concrete is a porous material so that has to be sealed up to prevent staining. It is good to know however that the sealer CAN be damaged – if you leave something acidic on your surface like lemon juice or red wine that could damage the sealer and leave your surface exposed – so be careful with those items. (only if left on the surface for an extended period of time) The sealer that we recommend is called ICT Counter-Hard and First Seal combination by Innovative Concrete Technologies. You can buy it at https://www.blueconcrete.com. In theory you should only have to have this process done once!! I am speaking from the perspective of the material that I know (Meld) and not sure how it would work with other concrete surfaces but I would imagine well.
Best of luck

By: Susan Clark

Susan Clark — Wed, 20 Nov 2013 04:39:40 +0000

We have solid concrete counters in the kitchen. They were stained with a concrete stain product and have a variation in color. They are not smooth but have a textured finish to them. Not so much that anything wobbles on them though. In the three years we have lived here, and as much use they’ve had (my husband is a great cook but a very messy one; even making coffee means spilled coffee every morn!), we have not stained the counters in any way. There are no cracks but the beveled edges are rather rough; don’t like that. I do prefer a glossy, smooth kitchen counter for cleanliness reasons. I want to see any spills or drips and they are hidden on our counters. Ours has a matte finish, so upon reading about concrete counters and the need to re-seal them regularly, I am thinking I might try a glossy sealer. I say go for it. $100 is a relatively small investment until you have the cash to get what you want. And you might end up not even doing any major overhaul later, if you love the concrete!

By: Camille

Camille — Tue, 19 Nov 2013 18:14:11 +0000

My concern is the leeching of the concrete chemicals and minerals into your food supply. We have always been told to not store our food storage directly on the concrete, but put a barrier between food cans and the concrete. I just wonder how safe they are? All the sealers and chemicals involved in making them stain-proof cannot be good for your food.