Why concrete?
It’s sustainable, customisable, industrial, versatile and durable. Just some of the reasons why we love turning humble concrete into sleek, modern sophisticated and hard-wearing features.
It's a material that can serve functionality in any indoor or outdoor space, from kitchen benchtops and furniture to anything outdoors. Large items can be formed and casted more aesthetically with no joins or grout lines. The possibilities to customise concrete are endless with shapes, sizes, colours, and textures. Enabling us to help you design your bespoke piece to be truly a one of a kind.
What types of concrete do you use and why?
We specialise in ECC concrete for the majority of our precast products.
Our ECC mix is hand packed and trowel finished, leaving a true to traditional concrete look, while being stronger, lighter and more dense compared to other concrete composites. By adding polymers, fibres, and glass mesh, ECC will flex at an astonishing rate, drastically reducing the chance of cracking. By utilising it in our applications, we can pour large pieces such as benchtops 20mm thick with a dropped edge to create a thick look while reducing excess product weight.
For our cast in-situ products, we will generally use a more traditional concrete mix, designed specifically for architectural finishes. Using a higher MPA strength and steel reinforcement design, we can create concrete that redefines what the product can achieve.
With years of experience in both ECC and Traditional, we are happy to discuss the best option for any application.
Will concrete benchtops & other concrete products stain, crack and/or chip?
Our concrete is sealed using a high-end specific hybrid polyurethane sealer. The first coat is highly diluted to fully penetrate the concrete with less dilution rates on further coats to leave microfine layers of protection. The sealer offers maximum protection from staining and heat resistance while being completely food safe. However, we can never guarantee a 100% stain-proof material.
Similar to stone and marble, markings can occur from prolong exposures to spills like olive oil, red wine, juice, or coffee. Chipping, scratches and breakage can occur with enough force, so care is required especially around edges. Should such an unlikely crack occur, it will not be structural due to the reinforcements we use. Hairline fractures in our work is also rare but can occur over the lifetime of the product. This is the nature of concrete and is to be considered before choosing the product.
Refer to our care guide at the bottom of the page for useful tips on how to keep your concrete product in pristine condition.
Can I put hot pots on the concrete or use it as a chopping board?
Similar to care with stone and marble, cutting or placing hot pots directly on a concrete surface is not recommended. Scratches may occur and leave your concrete vulnerable, allowing stains to permeate the sealer. Cutting on the surface will also ruin and dull your knife blades.
We recommend the following:
- Use a chopping board for cutting
- Use trivets for hot pots.
- Use a dry plate or bowl underneath anything left for long periods (oil, salt and pepper, planters etc).
How thin or thick can the concrete be?
Our concrete can be made as thin as 18mm to any thickness desired. Utilising a dropped edge, we can cut back on the overall weight of the finished product.
We can discuss with you and suggest our recommendations for required thickness per your design.
Can I use any cabinetry underneath concrete benchtops?
Yes, often with little to no extra reinforcements needed. Our concrete benchtops are typically poured at 20mm thick with dropped edges, therefore reducing much of the excess weight. In most cases, we simply glue the concrete with construction adhesive and cast in bolts (if required) to fasten them to the cabinets.
We work closely with cabinet makers to ensure our design is sound before production starts.
What cleaning products can I use on my concrete benchtops & furniture?
We recommend cleaning only with a warm damp cloth. If necessary, use a mild detergent. Refrain from using chemical cleaners, including “natural” cleaners or anything containing citrus, vinegar, bleach or alcohol.
Clean up any spills as they occur, especially acidic kitchen spills and oil, as these can slowly permeate the surface if left over time.
Sealer manufacturers recommend resealing after 10 years domestic and 3 years commercial. We are happy to provide this service at our reseal rate.
Do you polish concrete floors?
Unfortunately, we do not.
What concrete colour and finish options are available?
Using high quaility oxides, we can create both precast and cast in-situ concrete in an almost endless range of colours and shades.
Our concrete is skillfully troweled to a variety of finishes from smooth to extremely textured, and then sealed with a matte sealer. By trowel finishing our concrete, every piece is unique and handmade.
Do you have a care guide for your products?
Yes, we do. You can download our full care guide below to view or print.
What is the average cost for a benchtop?
A custom concrete benchtop is comparable and competitive with high end reconstituted stone and natural stone such as granite or marble.
We are happy to work with you to give you an estimate on your project, along with alternative designs to fit your budget.
