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The Most Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete Countertops and Concrete Products
How is your
concrete different from a sidewalk?
When most people hear the word concrete, they immediately
think of a grey city sidewalk. It couldn't be further from
the truth! In fact, almost every person that walks into our
showroom for the first time says "This is concrete?"
Concrete countertops are beautifully hand crafted practical
pieces of art. Concrete countertops and other concrete products
for your home are comparable in strength to most other solid
surfaces available. |
How do I maintain
my concrete?
Avoid abrasive soaps, cleansers, or scrubbing pads that can
wear down the sealer. We recommend using mild, non-abrasive,
non-ammonia, non-citric acid, non-vinegar, non-bleach soaps
and cleaners such as Simple Green, Ivory dish soap, etc. |
Can my concrete
crack?
It is possible. Hairline cracks can form in concrete over
time for many reasons and are considered acceptable in the
concrete industry. Trueform Concrete has a high quality, high
strength mix design that greatly reduces the probability of
cracks, however we do not guarantee that hairline cracks will
not develop. Keep in mind, that any minor cracks can be repaired
and/or disguised.
Outdoors: The Northeast and other areas of the country that
experience major temperature changes put concrete in a higher
risk category for cracking. We recommend covering your concrete
products during the winter months to protect it from snow
and ice, however this will not protect it from thermal contraction
or freeze thaw. It is highly likely that outdoor concrete
products will eventually show some form of cracking. |
Will my concrete
stain?
Acidic foods and beverages such as lemon juice, mustard, vinegar,
wine, soda, tomatoes, etc., perfumes, colognes, cleaners that
contain vinegar or citric acids, and other harsh chemicals or
solvents such as ammonia, acetone, hydrogen peroxide, etc. should
be cleaned off of your concrete surface as soon as possible.
These substances may “eat” through the sealer, leaving
a light hazing, and could possibly expose or stain your concrete. |
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Can
I cut and prepare food on my concrete countertop?
We use 100% reactive food safe sealers that are designed to
withstand normal use in kitchens, baths and floors.
However, as with any countertop surface, you should never
cut directly on it. This could potentially damage the topcoat
of the sealer, exposing the concrete underneath. It might
even ruin your knife! |
Will my
concrete scratch?
Yes you can scratch the sealer that is on top of your concrete.
Avoid dragging sharp, hard objects across the concrete surface
to prevent scratching. Minor white scratches should be expected
throughout the piece from use over time. Applying Pledge every
now and then can fill in minor scratches and give your pieces
a nice sheen. The reason we like our sealer is that it is
spot repairable and can be serviced if needed.
Based on use, your concrete pieces may need to be re-sealed
every few years. This is a process that would be done by our
company for a minimal charge to cover time, travel, and materials.
Depending on the scope of the work and the extent of the wear,
this process may take anywhere from 1 to 3 trips to complete. |
Can I place
hot pots or pans on my concrete counter?
We recommend always using a hot pad or trivet for pots and pans
coming from the oven or stove. Using standard kitchen countertop
practices will ensure a long life to your concrete piece. |
How much does
your concrete weigh?
At 1.5" thick, one square foot of our concrete weighs approximately
18 pounds. This is comparable to most solid surfaces at this
thickness. A standard cabinet should support the countertop
weight without any concerns. |
What type of
sink would I use with this product and who installs it?
. Drop-in sink
. Under-mount sink
. Vessel sink
. Farm sink
. Integral sink
Any sink will work with concrete applications. Trueform Concrete
will install all sink types at installation with the exception
of farm sinks. Farm sinks must be installed prior to template
to ensure an accurate fit. For all sinks, a licensed plumber
will be needed to make all water supply connections. Please
note - Trueform Concrete requires that all sinks and faucets
be present at template to take back to our facility. Having
these items ensures an exact fit at installation, which is when
they will be returned to you. |
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What faucet
options do I have?
Your faucet options are pretty much endless. Since every concrete
piece is custom made, we can create faucet holes of any shape
and size. Please note - Trueform Concrete requires that all
sinks and faucets be present at template to take back to our
facility. Having these items ensures an exact fit at installation,
which is when they will be returned to you.
Below are some common faucet spread
options
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| 1
hole - 4” Straight Spread |
3
hole - 4” Straight Spread |
3
hole - 8” Straight Spread |
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| 3
hole - 4” Straight Spread |
3
hole - 8” Straight Spread |
3
hole - 4” Contour Spread |
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| 3
hole - 8” Contour Spread |
Corner
Mount Vessel Sink - Single Faucet |
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What type
of edge details do you offer?
We currently have four standard edge details, but we welcome
custom work and can also replicate just about any edge detail.
• Eased
• Classic
• Ogee
• Thumbnail
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What is the
maximum length and overhang for your concrete countertops?
There is no standard length or overhang size for our concrete
countertops. It all depends on the weight and shape of your
piece, the amount of support in the cabinets or base, and access
to the project site. As for cantilevers, an 1½”
thick countertop can overhang 12” without any support.
Larger overhangs are made possible by using additional supports.
We use steel reinforcements in cases where safety and structural
integrity may be at risk.
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Can you
create custom colors for your products?
Yes, we can create any color for your concrete - the possibilities are endless! Simply
bring us a paint swatch or other colored material and we can
match it. Since concrete is a hand-made product, please keep
in mind that all pieces will vary in color, texture, and character.
These variations contribute to the uniqueness of your concrete
piece and are considered to be a desirable characteristic.
An additional service that Trueform Concrete provides is maintaining
your custom color records. This means that if you ever wanted
to add a matching concrete piece or needed to fix an existing
one, we can duplicate your exact color for you. |
Can concrete
be used in commercial applications?
Yes, Trueform Concrete does work for both residential and commercial
markets. Concrete is an extremely versatile product that can
fit perfectly into any environment. Our product can take the
high daily abuses that commercial applications would put on
the product. Some examples of commercial applications for concrete
include: cash wraps, retail shelving, indoor and outdoor bar
and table tops, reception desks, conference room tables, window
casings, bathroom sinks and vanities, bench seating, planters,
wall panels, tile, etc.
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