The move is complete.  All the planning, organizing, packing, taping, lifting, transpoting, unloading, and any other "ing" associated with moving is done.  Few things are more disruptive to a business than moving (at least that’s how I feel this week), but it was worth it.  The new space is great and I’m looking forward to creating some amazing creations in the new studio.

We still have some setting up to do at our new home but we’re not missing a beat.  We are open and ready for business. 

Click here to see our new address.

Concrete is a perfect medium to use when you want to let your creative juices flow.  You could have a 5" thick monolithic wall mounted piece or a sink that has 8 levels.  Color, texture, style…the sky’s the limit.  Or is it?

Unless you are using concrete to create a completely artistic element, we need to remember to keep our minds on the functional aspects of our designs.  An intricate sink with 8 levels may be a very dramatic focal point for your kitchen, but can you see yourself using it to prepare your evening meal?  And will you even be able to clean it? 

Most of us will be designing something that we will need to use every day.  Size and shape are just as important as visual impact.  Visual impact and beauty can also be found in simple, clean lines.  Some of the most dramatic spaces that I have seen are simple and overtly functional.

When designing, keep a few ideas in mind:

1.  If you plan on spending the rest of your life in your house, you can create spaces that work specifically for you.  If you are very tall, a higher than standard countertop may be just the ticket.  You get the idea.  However, if you plan on selling your house, keep in mind that not everyone will see the appeal of an 8 level sink.

2.  Surface finish is key.  Concrete is porous and can stain if not properly sealed.  A surface finish that works well for a fireplace surround may really drive you crazy in the kitchen.  Not to mention that you will need to be able to clean and sanitize you kitchen countertops.

3.  Your favorite colors may be pink and purple, but do you really want that in your kitchen every day?  Your concrete artisans can create many different colors for countertops, sinks and the like.  Different colors and aggregates can really bring out the "pop" of your designs.  Temper the desire to wow with the reality of day-to-day life.  See number 1 above.

There are many useful guidelines to follow when designing you space.  Do some research.  Ask friends and family for advice.  Hire a professional.  Tempering your wild, creative side with a bit of functional beauty will help you create a space that is both visually stunning and a joy to live around each day.

**For more information on kitchen and bath design or to find a professional in your area, check out the National Kitchen and Bath Association at:  www.nkba.org

At a recent trade show I was told by a designer that "Concrete countertops crack.  That’s why I don’t use them".  The statement was stereotypical and generally incorrect, but not completely wrong.  Cracks generally fall into two categories:

Hairline cracks are very fine (nearly invisible) cracks that may develop on the surface of the slab.  These hairline cracks do not affect the structural integrity of the slab and add to the character and uniqueness of a concrete countertop.  Hairline cracks may develop during curing, fabrication, installation, or years later and generally develop around faucet holes and sink cutouts (especially those with sharp corners).  Hairline cracks are not generally covered under warranty. 

Structural cracks are more than cosmetic imperfections; your countertop is literally broken.   At this point the concrete has failed and can no longer hold itself together and is relying on rebar or wire mesh reinforcement to hold your countertop together.  A structural crack should be covered under your fabricators warranty (unless you caused the failure by parking you VW bug on the kitchen island).

At Fundo Design we utilize a special fiber reinforcement (not rebar) in concert with a highly engineered mix that drastically reduces the chances of developing a crack.  The fiber is mixed into the concrete and is present throughout the slab in a 3-d mesh.  In the unlikely event of a hairline crack, the fiber reinforcement prevents the crack from spreading.  The bottom line is if your concrete countertop is designed, manufactured, and installed properly the chances of a crack are unlikely.

Fact:  Some concrete countertops crack due to poor design and execution.

Fiction:  All concrete countertops crack.

Fact:  Whether or not your concrete countertop cracks is primarily a function of its design, manufacture, and installation.   Cracking is not a flaw inherent to concrete countertops.

Fiction:  Rebar or mesh reinforcement will prevent cracking.

Fact:  Rebar or mesh reinforcement only acts after the crack has developed.

The bottom line is a concrete countertop by Fundo Design is very unlikely to develop a crack.  When purchasing a concrete countertop ask your fabricator how they mitigate issues with cracking.

The green building trend is in full swing. From big business to single family homes; everyone is looking to help protect our natural resources. Our senses are barraged with images in the media of global warming flooding the planet and the shrinking rain forests. Reduce, Re-use, Recycle is our mantra. Concrete, in general, is not very eco-friendly. However, there are some simple things that can be done to decrease the impact that concrete countertops can have on our environment:

Reduce - Portland cement, the main ingredient in concrete, requires a lot of energy to produce. This bundled energy can be reduced through the use of cement replacements called Pozzolans. Some Pozzolans, such as fly-ash are post industrial by-products that can be added to decrease the amount of Portland cement required while still yielding strong concrete. Another alternative is to use a CSA, Calcium Sulphoaluminate, cement which requires less energy to produce.

Re-use - The formula for strong concrete includes cement, sand and aggregate. Many times aggregate comes in the form of small stones mined from the earth. With concrete countertops, this aggregate can be in the form of colored glass or just about any other hard material that does not absorb moisture. Use your imagination and what you have around at hand to add a decorative and interesting focal point to your countertop. Ask your concrete countertop designer about using post-consumer aggregate in your project.

Recycle - Use recycled material for aggregate and locally sourced materials if possible.

Ask about the process.   Find out what your concrete countertop designer uses to build their works of art.  Reduce your carbon footprint.

**Note:  This post has been edited to remove incorrect information regarding the recycling of concrete with rebar.  Concrete with rebar is recyclable.  Thank you Brian Creasy of Coulee Concrete for correcting us.

What should you expect from a concrete countertop? How flat is flat? What are the expectations for surface quality? Stain resistance? Edge straightness?

Due to the relatively young nature of the concrete countertop industry these answers were most often subjective and rarely documented. This has left many a consumer with little recourse when problems arise. Often fabricators will attempt to explain away flawed work with a simple “it’s concrete, what did you expect?”.

Thanks to the Concrete Countertop Institute you now have a set of quality standards for concrete countertops. Fundo Design now utilizes this document as baseline for our standard products. When selecting a concrete countertop fabricator ask what their quality standards are.