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Concrete Counters Are Attractive And Durable
By Todd Lewys
WHEN you think about countertops, the usual suspects tend
to be materials such as granite, quartz or corian. After all, that's what you tend to see in today's plethora of home renovation magazines.
It's now time to add concrete to that list, Tom Lynch says.
"People have a misconception of what a concrete countertop looks like. They tend to
think they're grey and drab, and that's not so," says Lynch, who, along with wife Carolyne, runs Stone Creations, a division of Western Statue and Ornaments.
"What sets concrete apart from other materials is that it lends itself to creating unique, personalized designs."
Francisco Guarderas, head designer at Stone Creations, agrees.
"The great thing about concrete is that you can do different forms, shapes and colours -
- and use different types of rock to create different patterns. It's a fairly lengthy
procedure where you start from scratch. You take a template, go to a home and then
back to the shop to pour a mould," he says. "By the time you finish -- which is usually in
two to three weeks -- you have a unique piece that reflects the personality of the people who ordered it."
In fact, two properties make concrete an ideal material with which to create custom
countertops: The fact that it can be infused with a variety of colours and stone
fragments to create a one-of-a-kind look. Second, (unlike other stone like granite, for
example) there is no wasted material because the concrete is custom-moulded into the desired shape.
"Whatever colour you see goes right through the whole piece of concrete," says
Carolyne. "You can add shells, fossils, glass -- even fibre optics -- to create a unique
look that fits your personality and home. We actually used sand from the beach by one
customer's cottage into their counter tops. That's a personal touch you can't get working with other materials."
Using concrete is also extremely economical, Tom adds.
"Because we mould each piece into an exact, custom shape, there's no wasted material.
When you use granite, for example, you get charged for the whole slab, regardless
whether it's all used or has to be cut to form," he explains, adding that less wasted
material can translate into substantial savings. "We also use recycled materials such as glass and feldspar, which is a byproduct of gold mining.
All the rock we use to make our countertops comes from within 100 miles of Winnipeg, so not only is concrete an eco-friendly material, it's locally sourced."
As for critical issues such as strength and durability, Tom Lynch says Stone Creations'
countertops can withstand 10,000 pounds per square inch (PSI) due to strict quality
controls that ensure each piece is at least one-and-a-half inches thick. Additionally,
stainless steel rods and epoxy-coated rebar are used for reinforcement throughout each piece.
"Not only are our countertops strong, but they're also very dense -- the concrete is non
-porous. That makes for a very durable product that we back with a lifetime warranty.
We diamond polish the concrete to a smooth finish, and then customers can choose
from either a 100 per cent beeswax sealer, or a food-approved solvent-based sealer to
add lustre and elegance," he says. "The end result is a low-maintenance countertop that you can just wipe down like you would a piece of furniture."
After producing concrete countertops for the past four to five years, Tom says business
is steadily increasing as people are becoming more aware of what concrete countertops have to offer.
"It's just a matter of getting people to think a little differently," he says. "Once people
see how creative you can be with concrete, they're sold. It's a bonus that it's such a green, and durable product."
Guarderas says the next time you're looking at replacing your countertops, give concrete a good look.
"It's not just what you see in your driveway -- it's as durable as any material out there,
but no material can match its flexibility in terms of creating unique shapes, colours and
patterns," he says. "The final product is always gorgeous, and is exactly what the
customer wanted. That's the beauty of concrete -- you can get whatever look and shape you want."
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