Concrete kitchen worktops are incredibly versatile, fitting perfectly in industrial-style kitchens, Scandinavian designs and even as an alternative to marble in the kitchens of conventional farmhouses. A concrete worktop is a great way to flip modern and traditional kitchen designs on their head and create a stunning hybrid look that perfectly suits your style and personality.
Concrete as a worktop material
Popularity of concrete worktops
Concrete worktops have seen tremendous popularity as they can showcase a dynamic utilitarian style or be softened with a range of colours and textures. While concrete-style surfaces match a range of styles and designs, certain styles of concrete can be a very bold choice, so it’s important to consider the other elements of your kitchen like the flooring, lighting, colour scheme, cabinets and accessories. As with any material, there are pros and cons to concrete, as well as alternatives to consider.
The pros and cons of concrete
For a sleek, industrial feel to your kitchen design, concrete kitchen worktops could be the perfect addition to your home. And, alongside their aesthetically pleasing appearance, concrete surfaces have other benefits. They allow for a truly unique design, as it is possible to mould and cast concrete into any shape. They are also relatively practical, as they can be resistant to heat and staining – provided they’re regularly maintained with an appropriate sealant.
Concrete is actually a porous material, meaning those little day-to-day spills are absorbed and can increase the rate of bacteria growth. The best precaution for this is to seal upon installation, but even this doesn’t fully protect the surface and it remains susceptible to stubborn stains (from the likes of red wine, coffee, fruit juice and oil) and is easily marked with scratches – though some may say this simply adds to its character. Sealants may also need to be reapplied over time, adding ongoing cost of ownership.
Despite being more durable than laminate surfaces, concrete is prone to cracking. Though it is relatively easy to fix with filler, this issue provides an additional unnecessary worry. And, depending on the fabrication and fitting process, there is potential for prominent seams and visible grout lines. Not only that but due to the weight of concrete worktops, extra stress can be placed on flooring and cabinets if the proper supports are not installed.
You’d be forgiven for thinking that, with concrete’s connotations with industrial and utilitarian buildings, concrete would be a lower-cost product. But in fact, the opposite is true and bespoke concrete worktops come with a hefty price tag. For this expense, other surfaces that require less maintenance and are more practical are likely a preferable option, especially when the same visual effect can be created with other materials.
Why not consider a concrete-effect porcelain, quartz or mineral worktop from Caesarstone? These can eliminate the challenges that come with a real concrete worktop whilst still allowing you to achieve your desired concrete aesthetic. Not only are our Caesarstone concrete-style worktops beautiful, but they are also durable and future-proof.
Alternatives to concrete worktops
No one wants to install a costly kitchen surface, only to discover that the material may not be future-proof. With developments in technology and in the manufacturing process, it is now possible to find surfaces made from alternative materials that interpret the unique aesthetic of concrete, each of which has its own advantages. This means you can still achieve your dream urban kitchen with a concrete-style worktop by opting for a more pragmatic material.
With Caesarstone porcelain, mineral and quartz surfaces, you will be given peace of mind knowing that they are non-porous and stain-resistant, meaning you can worry less about any accidental spills. Our mineral, porcelain and quartz worktops provide all the qualities for a low-maintenance kitchen with the added benefit of knowing neither the style nor quality will be compromised. You can rest assured that if you purchase a concrete-effect worktop from Caesarstone, your surface will stand the test of time while still achieving the design you want.
For those who favour a statement design, focus on the dark industrial look with pops of contrasting colours such as white cabinetry or walls for a unique feel. 4033 Rugged Concrete, part of the Metropolitan Collection, boasts dramatic gradients of robust concrete greys flushed with white-haze patinas and industrial-inspired imperfections that are accentuated by a deep textured finish.
4033 Rugged Concrete mineral worktop
411 Concrita provides a sleek industrialised look, incorporating the feel of concrete mixed with features of rugged stone in various shades of grey, adding a textured rocky structure. As a porcelain worktop, 411 Concrita is UV-resistant so you can use this material in your outdoor space too. Caesarstone Porcelain consists of a range of designs and to achieve a softer but still very urban, concrete look, take a look at 410 Aluminous or 413 White Ciment.
413 White Ciment porcelain worktop
For a concrete-style worktop in quality quartz, 2003 Concrete is beautifully and kindly cool, comprised of flowing dark greys for a stunning wet-concrete look. Add wooden features, such as oak cabinets or flooring, to compliment your concrete worktops and create a more rustic and earthy atmosphere, providing a serene space.
302 Metallio Black provides a graphite tone base, with a mist-like smoky patina flowing throughout. This surface highlights its industrial background with a honed finish and an intense and daring look.
302 Metallio Black porcelain worktop
Our mineral worktop, 4004 Raw Concrete offers a luxurious look, with its softest grey splashes mixed with textured flecks of blacks and whites, which provides a real depth to any household and captures the essence of the authentic industrial material
What our customers say about our concrete effect worktops?
From Kate Feather Kitchen Design:
“We presented the Caesarstone 4023 Topus Concrete sample to our client and they immediately fell in love with it. The blush tones, rough texture and mottled pattern totally won them over. Topus Concrete works exceptionally well with the colour palette of the scheme and complements the overall ambience of the design.” Read the full case study.
When talking about 4044 Airy Concrete, Matt Goddon, Head of Design at Leicht Contracts said:
“In our opinion, Caesarstone excels at earthy, natural concrete decors and this is our favourite. We have paired it with an equally earthy concrete door for a simplistic minimal design. We are soon to be delivering this on an exciting new project in Westminster.”
Speaking broadly about our Metropolitan Collection, Enki, the home of design and architecture has said:
“We love the industrial approach the brand has taken with the Metropolitan Collection. Rough and unpolished, each of the carefully designed surfaces has been created to reflect the authentic textures of raw manufacturing including oxidised steel, poured plaster and beautifully raw concrete… We also love that each individual slab is one of a kind and has its own depth and moment, reflecting the authentic path the brand has taken in its approach to the line.” Read the full case study.
Ready to create your dream kitchen?
No matter what style of kitchen you choose, we hope you now feel inspired on how to incorporate a concrete-effect worktop into your dream kitchen. To help you decide on the perfect worktop for your space, request a sample from Caesarstone to visualise it in your home.
