Pushing Limits: Seamless Concrete Countertops
One of the biggest benefits of custom concrete countertops is the ability customize them. Unique shapes and functional perks like towel holders or dish drainers are all attainable. Butcher block that you don't have to protect from splashes and spills is possible with wood-look concrete.
Even a single, seamless slab for your island—something you simply can’t get with any other material—is an option with concrete.
Wood and stone both have natural limits. Your countertop can only be as wide as the tree or the stone slab from which it is extracted. Even engineered surfaces and laminated countertops are produced only in specific sizes. That makes concrete an ideal option to custom create more sizes and shapes—sometimes without the need for seams.
This complaisance in concrete is letting designers fly free when it comes to creating harmonious spaces that defy traditional confines. Here are some stunning examples of boundary-pushing design concrete can bring to fruition.
Lofty Kitchen Island
This gargantuan kitchen island is one 20 ft + piece of concrete heaven. It was artfully achieved by considering how such a piece could be transported, moved inside, then installed without incident. The result is a work of pure limit-defying genius.
Curvaceous Sink
This concrete sink and countertop combination are one seamless piece in a wood look—something that might be cost prohibitive in real carved wood. Concrete ensures ultimate durability and cleanability in a room where it really counts.
Commercial Continuation
These sink-countertop combinations are impressive pieces for their length alone. The seamless nature makes them structurally stronger and easier to care for – all while achieving a modern look that you simply can’t get with other commercial options.
Unconventionally Natural
This show-stopping wood look concrete bar top spans the length with uninterrupted naturalism. Natural wood in this length and with these specific characteristics is hard to come by and is prone to warping and splitting. Leave it to concrete to erase the gap between what is and what could be.
90 Degrees in Concrete
This bar top makes a beautiful arching curve in characteristic concrete fashion. It creates a continuation of an industrial design rife with the warmth of other mindful makers. It demonstrates how concrete can achieve a seamless 90 degree arc ensuring the top and side finishes remain uniform throughout. Our design team determined the best places to seam this project for as minimal an impact as possible.
When Countertops Should Have Seams
Seamlessness in concrete contributes to elegant and visually harmonies surfaces. It adds to the strength of the piece. It gives designers and architects the ability to create arcs, L-shapes, and extra long islands without the interruption of seams.
While seamlessness can be achieved, it is not always advised. Here’s why.
Fabrication
The actual making of the concrete countertop includes several considerations that impact whether a piece can should be seamless. The design, structural integrity, and surface complexity all play a role in the decision to include seams and where to place them. Our expert team determines the optimum seam placement in order to achieve a health balance of function and aesthetics.
Transportability
If the size, shape or weight of the concrete piece makes it difficult or impossible to move around, the piece can be poured in pieces that are more manageable to transport.
Breakage
Large or intricately shaped concrete countertops may be more prone to breaking or chipping than pieces in standard sizes and shapes. If the piece is prone to damage because of its size or shape, our makers will recommend it be made in safer pieces.
Installation
Whatever your concrete dreams may be, it’s part of our job to ensure that any pieces we fabricate can fit through doors or elevators, get around corners, and can be installed safely. That’s why we prefer coming on site to look at your space before working on creating your vision.
Case in Point
The first thing you notice about this custom concrete bar is the color. But if you take a closer look, you’ll notice the seams are barely visible. We strategically placed the seams in areas that are not highly visible but still allowed us to create the optimal design. The result is a monolithic look and experience.
Create some seamless magic of your own. Get in touch with us today to talk about your project.