Concrete Countertop Ingredients

• Concrete countertops are made of concrete mix, water and strengthening materials.concrete image by Empath from Fotolia.com
  
  Concrete countertops are made from a special type of concrete mix that uses extra ingredients to add color and stability to ordinary concrete. The concrete is poured into a mold the shape of the countertop and cured. The countertop is then fashioned and installed in one piece. Professional concrete countertops can even mimic the colors and appearance of natural stonework.
  
  

Concrete Mix

• Concrete mix is made from cement, sand and other aggregates. For kitchen countertops, only the lightest aggregates are used since these counters need to be very smooth. The precise mixture ratios differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. Often builders will use one layer of concrete for the base portion of the countertop and another layer for the top, visible section.
  
  

Water

• Water is a necessary ingredient for any concrete project. In this case, however, the less water used, the better. Professionals only use as much water as necessary to activate and shape the concrete. Some even add water reducers that help thicken the mixture to give it more strength when it dries.
  
  

Pigment

• Pigments are an important ingredient for concrete countertops. Without any color, the counters would be a cement gray. However, layers of paint or acid over concrete only soak down so far, and can be removed by accidental chips. Pigments mix in with the concrete mixture itself, changing its color permanently so that scratches and dents are less noticeable.
  
  

Strengthening Fibers

• Strengthening fibers, like basalt elements or synthetic fibers, help make the concrete strong, which helps when using the countertop but comes in especially useful when installing the counter. Normal concrete slabs can crack and break more easily than those with strengthening fibers.
  
  

Sealants

• Sealants are epoxies or other substances that users coat their countertops with for protection. With a good sealant, a concrete countertop can resist stains more easily and keep sealant for longer periods.