Different Styles Of Concrete Countertops

When people think about concrete countertops, the first image that comes to mind is the gray slab of featureless stone that looks like a block of the neighborhood sidewalk placed on top of their beautiful cabinets.

concrete countertops made out of grey, bland slabs of concrete can be purchased for the home, there are many other concrete countertop designs available as well that may be more appealing to the homeowner looking for a new countertop.


One type of concrete countertop that could be a beautiful addition to any home is the veined concrete countertop. These countertops have colored or white veins running through the concrete, giving the countertop the appearance of marble stone.

Another type of concrete countertop that homeowners may be interested in is a terrazzo concrete countertop. These concrete countertops contain small chips of glass or colored stone to create a lovely textured appearance in the surface of the concrete and pigments can be added to the concrete to change the color of the concrete and create a more dramatic look for the home.

Concrete countertops can be created to resemble many different types of natural stone, including granite and limestone. Each of these different types of concrete countertops can also be customized by choosing different edging styles to accompany the countertop style.

Selecting the Color for Granite Countertops

Advantages of pure marble

Everyone needs a countertop in their kitchen or bathroom, and one of the most stylish and durable of materials is pure marble. Installing marble countertops not only add style and fairness to a home, but it also serves a function. Marble is also very beautiful, but it does have its limits. Some people choose cultured marble because it is less exclusive and can endure exposure to those liquids.

Cultured marble countertops are made from crushed marble and mixed mutually with resins, polyester, calcium carbonate and other materials. Cultured marble countertops are very good at resisting moisture, staining, scratching and chipping. Any cracks and breaks can also be repaired easily, since it is a artificial material. Cultured marble countertops can change colors if they are resurfaced by porcelain or enamel refinishers, so it can match with any bathroom decoration. The “marbled” affect, however, will be completely lost and the countertops will be one solid color. Though cultured marble looks good, it will never look precisely like a genuine marble countertop to the trained eye.

Many people choose to install marble countertops in just a few key places in their kitchen, and perhaps just use cultured marble in the bathroom and other materials in areas of the kitchen that receive higher traffic. This saves money while still having the stylishness of marble countertops in the home. There is nothing that matches up to the noble style of marble. It is a little but tougher to preserve pure marble, and the product is more luxurious, but it is worth it for the beauty and long life.

Maintaining marble surfaces for a lifetime

People can use marble for kitchen countertops, flooring, fireplace mantles and many other surfaces. Marble is very resilient as well as beautiful, because of the natural swirling patterns and different shades that make them so unique. Marble is an investment that must be protected and maintained carefully. Marble can be easily scratched, discolored, stained and scarred. Sometimes this can be repaired, but in the worst case it will be permanent.

Having even a few accents of marble in the kitchen countertops or living room mantel can add resale value to a home; it’s not necessary to have it all over. There are also preventative measures that can be taken to keep marble countertops and floors looking their best. Marble can also be cleaned or repaired if a piece becomes scratched, stained or dirty. It is better to take preventative steps to protect marble countertops and floors rather than waiting to see what kind of damage can be repaired. An eventual scratch or stain may be unavoidable, but many can be prevented.


Marble countertops, floors and table tops can be saved from moisture damage by using coasters for liquids in glasses and cups, and by throwing rugs on floors to cover areas with heavier foot traffic. Protective plastic scarves can also be used under items that may cause damage to marble furniture. Homeowners should, of course, show off the beauty of their marble, but should also do everything that they can to keep it safe. Marble will eventually become dirty, no matter how careful everyone is.

A soft, clean sponge with lukewarm water should be used to clean the marble, taking care that the sponge is only barely damp. It doesn’t take much water to clean a marble countertop or other surface. After drying the marble with a clean cloth, it should be buffed gently until it shines again. If cleaning with the damp sponge is no longer sufficient because the marble surface has become extremely dirty, a small amount of dry borax and a clean damp cloth can be used.

Sometimes cleaning marble can dull the surface, in which case a commercial marble polish can be used to restore the shine it once knew. Make sure to mix the proper amount of water into the marble polish, and always use a clean, dry cloth when gently rubbing the surface. Buffing the marble to a perfect shine again will make it appear just as it did when it was brand new. With this kind of attention on a fairly regular basis, marble countertops, floors, tables and mantels should last a lifetime.