Made popular by Joanna Gaines, concrete countertops are a wonderful way to elevate a farmhouse chic kitchen or add a special touch to an industrial, modern kitchen. Concrete has a really bold, striking look. It is also almost entirely indestructible, which is why they use this material to make roads and sidewalks.
White kitchens are classic, and they gained popularity in recent years likely due to Joanna Gaines' modern farmhouse renovations on HGTV's Fixer Upper. Her countertop stone of choice was often marble, with light colors and stunning veining.
In her own home, as well as on her television show “Fixer Upper,” Gaines has used a variety of different types of cabinets, including: Shaker-style cabinets: Shaker-style cabinets are a classic choice that features simple, clean lines and a minimalistic design.
Higher-Maintenance Than Many Other Materials
Because concrete is porous, it's highly susceptible to staining unless it's sealed with a water-based wax sealant about once each year. If the sealant deteriorates, it's very easy for a quick spaghetti spill to turn into a forever stain, so you'll want to clean up ASAP.
To give you an idea of quality and longevity, most warranties max out at about five years. However, if the countertops are in a high-traffic space you'll likely see signs of wear much sooner than that, even with a higher quality product.
Painting Countertops
This is possibly the least expensive way to cover up old countertops, especially old wood or linoleum countertops. It's very easy to paint your countertops yourself. Just sand, prime and then paint. You can use a pad sander, but sanding by hand will work just fine.
Prone to chipping and staining: Just like with other stone surfaces, concrete countertops can and will chip if you're not careful. It can also crack and sustain scratches. Concrete is also porous, which means it will absorb any spills and can even see bacteria growth if it's not properly sealed.
Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin. These materials create diverse appearance options that range from vibrant, customizable colors to the tried-and-true natural finish.
Hot & Sharp Items
Do not place hot pots and pans directly on your concrete countertop. The sudden change in temperature can cause damage to the sealer on your countertop. Always use trivets and hotpads. Likewise, cutting directly on your concrete countertop should be avoided.
Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper is a big fan of Sherwin Williams Alabaster for painting kitchen cabinets white. It's actually a favorite among designers because it's not too warm or too cool.
For Joanna Gaines' exact cabinet color, you can get a Future Dusk polyswatch card from Coloro for $14. There are many close alternatives, however, that are readily available. Some are Benjamin Moore Blue Note, Benjamin Moore Hale Navy, Farrow & Ball Stiffkey Blue, and Sherwin Williams Naval.
Marble is a natural stone, which means that it can easily absorb drips, spills, and pigment from food if anything sits too long on the surface. It also doesn't hold up well to heat, so hot pots or pans should never be placed directly on marble.
Fans of the hit show Fixer Upper will be desperate to know which software Joanna Gaines uses to layout her designs before the renovations begin. The home design software in question is in fact SketchUp Pro, which is the rather pricey professional version of the free SketchUp program.
While Joanna loves to use fresh greenery and flowers, she says she also understands that real plants can be high-maintenance and impractical, which is why she likes to use faux flowers and even sells them in bulk at Magnolia Market.
White marble will always be an elegant choice for kitchen countertops, but if the maintenance and potential for staining has you worrying about its longevity, consider butcher block. The go-to choice for farmhouse kitchens, butcher block will wear beautifully over the years, and you can prepare food directly on it.
Quartz countertops are the easiest natural stone to take care of. They are engineered using ground stone and resin, so they don't require regular sealing they way most granite and marble countertops do. This stone is non-porous, so it does not easily stain or etch.
As a countertop material, stainless steel is as low-maintenance as it gets. No sealing or refinishing is ever required, and cleaning is easy with mild soap products. These countertops work very well in the kitchen or bath since they won't be stained by food, juice, facial cleansers, etc.
You'll want to reseal every one to three years. "Avoid abrasive cleaners and scrubbers that can damage sealer," Havenly's Head of Design, Shelby Girard, tells CountryLiving.com. "To prevent stains, use cutting boards, and clean up messes quickly. Wax countertops monthly once sealed to prevent stains."
Quartzite requires sealing to prevent staining the surface, while quartz needs virtually no maintenance. So if you love a plethora of choices and a reliable, consistent look to your countertops, or perhaps you're searching for a durable material that won't break the bank, quartz may be just the thing for you.
A crack forms when tensile stress builds up in the concrete and exceeds the material's capacity to resist those stresses. Well-made concrete countertops should not develop structural cracks, however hairline cracks are possible and not a sign of poor quality.
Quartz countertops are one of the best alternatives to granite counters in terms of durability, aesthetic appeal, functionality, and versatility.
Key takeaways. The national average cost to install new countertops at $3,102, with prices ranging typically between $1,859–$4,346. The expected cost of installing new countertops will vary considerably, usually $15 to $70 per square foot, depending on material, labor, dimensions/layout and the kitchen's location.
Installing countertops made of granite or another type of natural stone can potentially increase your home's value by up to 25 percent of its retail value.