Archive through July 16, 2007

Archive of Older Topics Archive - Specifications Discussions #4
1

I was actually going to add to the past thread regarding this topic but found it to be archived so started a new one.

Just received an e-newsletter from PCA with a link regarding decorative cements, which ended up causing me to continue to investigate other links as they caught my eye (I’m sure that has never happened to you :-). I ended up coming across an article on the PCA website regarding concrete countertops and a link to what they called a “relatively” new organization called “The Concrete Countertop Institute”.

Here’s the link to The Concrete Countertop Institute: http://www.concretecountertopinstitute.com/

And the link to the article on concrete countertops on the PCA website if you would like to read their information as well. http://www.cement.org/decorative/countertops.asp

2

Thanks! I also enjoyed following CCI’s link to the “Concrete Connection” website

3

Does anyone have a copy of the CCI CSI specifications? I requested a copy last week via email and called this morning; so far I’ve received nothing. I need it asap, now, as this project is going out end of day tomorrow. Thanks in advance for the help. ljavoroski@hga.com

4

Lynn, David Combs from Perkins & Will sent me a spec on Concrete Countertops last March that he created with minor help from us. It is an excellent spec section. Perhaps if he is reading this thread, he will be generous and forward you a copy.

5

Thanks so much for your responses! Jerome, David was willing to share, and so was John. Thanks to you, I think I’ve got a specification that will work well.

6

Lynn, being a book whore, I just ordered the book “Making Concrete Countertops with Buddy Rhodes” from Amazon, should get it this afternoon, so if you have any other questions, let me know.

7

you might also check out the latest issue of Consumer Reports, which mentions concrete countertops as being difficult to seal, prone to cracking and hard to keep clean. I’ve put them in a couple of installations; you really need to work the surface and seal it, otherwise you get grease stains much like a garage floor.

8

Anne, thanks for the heads up. I’ll pass that along to the designers. This is a commercial application, and the CCI did have references to a sealing system that sounds good.

9

You may also look at this information from Counter Production for care and maintenance of concrete countertops.

http://www.counterproduction.com/products_care.html#chemicals

10

I second Anne W’s comments. The CR report went on to recommend narrowing the field for countertops to granite or quartz. The Seattle Times did a feature this weekend on concrete and slate countertops as well as pro-style cooking appliances and why they do not provide any improvement over a good quality regular brand names except for being 2 to 3 times the price and more expensive to repair. However, they do offer the cook the pleasure of showing off to their guests.