Concrete Home Building Council - 08/17/2006 (Plain Text Version)

CHBC Chairman
Michael Weber

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In this issue:
A Sculptural Insulating Concrete Form Home
Guide for Tile Roofs Serves as Industry Standard
"Thirst for Knowledge" - New ESL Program
Apply for Green Building Awards
NAHB's Trade Mission to Puerto Vallarta
Concrete Countertops & Sealers
McGraw-Hill Offers ENR Discount to NAHB Members
Train the Trainer & More
CHBC Looking For New Director
Concrete Briefs . . .

Concrete Countertops & Sealers

Photo courtesy of Jon Nasvik, Cliffhangers, Inc., Hailey, Idaho
Since concrete is such a versatile material, more and more people are realizing its value for making countertops. Shapes of concrete countertops are only limited by imagination and the ability to build the forms. With the use of color pigments in combination with white cement and various aggregates, the spectrum of colors available in concrete countertops is virtually limitless.

It’s been more than a decade since concrete countertops found their way into shops, restaurants, and homes. Once the realm of either the do-it-yourselfer or the wealthy, they seem to have gained acceptance in just about every level of residential application, from moderately priced homes to high-end places.

Nowadays, lots of people have a good feel for what can be accomplished with concrete countertops. Whether an interior is traditional, contemporary, or somewhere between, concrete is a versatile medium to express the aesthetic of designer and owner.

Unfortunately, there is a belief that concrete countertops stain easily and require extensive maintenance to keep them functional. Proper sealing of concrete countertops can eliminate 99% of these issues. For a comprehensive look at the sealants available for use in concrete countertops, click here for a PDF from the Portland Cement Association. (PDF)

Find out more about Architectural and Decorative Concrete through the Portland Cement Association.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

We are planning to build a concrete countertop. Can you tell me which type of cement to use for this application? I’ve heard that Type II is best.

A: The recommendation to use a Type II cement for countertop construction is usually based on the premise that concrete with a Type II cement will have lower shrinkage potential and, therefore, lower cracking potential. While there may be slight variations in shrinkage potential between cements from different manufacturers and between cement types, it is of little practical value to limit the cement type based on this fact. More.

Click here for more cement and concrete FAQs.