FAQs

Any color! Mark Schreck Concrete Designs is able to fabricate almost any color on the spectrum. Pigment can be ordered to closely match any Benjamin Moore color.  Colors can be produced in a solid, speckled or variegated pattern. And, you can specify embedded stone, glass, or other objects. You can specify the color, size and density of embedments. Coupled with the many color choices, you have myriad design options.

Mark Schreck Concrete Designs may be able to provide custom color development. We can customize existing colors or work with you to closely match the color of an item such as a paint chip or fabric. The process takes about 3 weeks. We produce two or more 6” x 6” samples and submit them for your approval.

For concrete, edging is formed and cast rather than cut like granite or solid surface. Therefore, edge choices depend on the availability of appropriate trim moulding. For example, Mark Schreck Concrete Designs can create beveled, concave and reverse cove edging, and other custom edges may be available. Edging may be placed on top or bottom of the countertop. Bullnose edging is available for 2” thick countertop edges.

Mark Schreck Concrete Designs concrete countertops can accommodate all types of sinks including drop-in, undermount and apron front. The minimum lip of concrete around all sides of sinks is 3”. Concrete can also accommodate drop-in cooktops. The minimum lip of concrete in the front of a cooktop is 3”; we recommend 3” for the back also, but 2” will suffice.

Mark Schreck Concrete Designs can make integral concrete sinks of almost any shape. Bathroom vanities are an excellent application of integral concrete sinks. We do not recommend integral concrete kitchen sinks for engineering reasons. Kitchen sinks are deep and have angles that would put large stresses on the concrete and have high potential for cracking. Also, the size of kitchen sinks generally dictates a very thick concrete bottom that would be a problem with standard plumbing and cabinetry.

Concrete vessel sinks are also possible, and concrete’s versatility means that the sink can be any color and shape.  Conversely, vessel sinks work well with concrete countertops.

Bare concrete is very porous and will readily stain. Virtually all concrete countertops are sealed to prevent staining; however the degree to which these sealers works varies significantly. Commonly used sealers include wax and penetrating acrylic sealer. Both of these are inexpensive and easy to apply. However, neither offer significant stain or heat resistance, and both require frequent reapplication to prevent the formation of a “patina”.

Mark Schreck Concrete Designs’ sealer is different. We use a high-performance sealer that is exceptionally durable and provides excellent resistance to incidental contact with staining agents such as red wine, lemon juice and olive oil. While the sealer is durable, extreme abuse of the countertop may result in some staining.

While the sealer is durable, it can scratch if cut with a knife or subjected to heavy, sharp objects dragged across the surface.  Cutting on the concrete may compromise the integrity of the sealer and allow stains to permeate the concrete matrix. Cutting on the concrete will also ruin knives, requiring a professional resharpening to reshape the damaged edge. Remember, concrete is made with stone, the same thing used to sharpen knives (and will therefore dull them just as easily).

Although countertops are one of the last items to be installed, concrete countertops should be selected as early as possible. Here is an outline of the process:

1. Color selection
   • Mark Schreck Concrete Designs often performs custom color matching and submits samples for your approval. Allow about 3 weeks for this process. See the section on custom colors for more information.
2. Templating
   • Templating is done from finished and installed cabinetry, and it takes less than one day.
3. Fabrication
   • The typical time required to fabricate most concrete countertops, depending on their size and complexity, is 4-6 weeks. Note that the fabrication process may not start immediately after templating depending on how full our production schedule is. A good guideline is to contact Mark Schreck Concrete Designs at the beginning of the project, or at the latest one month before cabinetry is scheduled to be installed, both to allow time for custom color samples and to secure a spot on Mark Schreck Concrete Designs’ production schedule.
   • In the case of a residential project such as a complete kitchen remodel, homeowners are usually willing to wait longer for their custom-made, handcrafted concrete countertops. However, temporary countertops can be a way to minimize inconvenience. Temporary plywood countertops are one possible solution. Or, the contractor can preserve parts of the old countertop to provide some work surfaces.
4. Installation
   • Because Mark Schreck Concrete Designs concrete countertops are precast and prefinished, installation generally takes less than one day.

Concrete countertops are templated just like granite. Templating is done after any existing countertops are removed, or after new cabinets are fully installed. Your contractor needs to arrange for existing countertop removal. Almost all concrete countertops require physical templates from the finished and installed cabinetry.

In some cases, such as small or freestanding pieces, we can fabricate from scaled drawings instead of physical templates. We will advise on templating requirements for your project, and we provide your contractor with a templating checklist to help him prepare. All fixtures that penetrate the concrete, such as sinks and faucets, must be available at templating time.

A square foot of 1.5” thick concrete weighs about 17 lbs; a square foot of 3 cm granite weighs about 16.5 lbs. Typically, no special considerations are necessary for standard kitchen or bathroom vanity countertops.  Cantilevered slabs, bar tops on knee walls and similar situations sometimes require brackets or other structural supports for the countertops.  Mark Schreck Concrete Designs can advise on support requirements.

Yes. Mark Schreck Concrete Designs warranties the structural integrity of the concrete for one year after installation. The countertops will of course last alot longer than a year, but if any problems were to occur, they would occur in the first year. We subject the concrete to much larger stresses while handling it than clients ever could once it is installed. In addition, Mark Schreck Concrete Designs provides each client with an Owner’s Guide.