Concrete is being used for kitchen countertops and bathroom vanity tops as well as corporate board room and conference tables. The increase in popularity is attributed to the versatility of concrete as it will conform to any shape when in its initial plastic state and readily accepts many of the same coloring processes used with other forms of decorative concrete.

The rising popularity of other solid surface materials like the resin based materials and natural granite has paved the way for concrete countertops with help from industry professional like Buddy Rhodes who is generally regared as starting the trend and Fu Tong Cheng who has promoted the use of concrete countertops with books and tapes. The preferred production method of Rhodes and Cheng are to precast the pieces and move them into their final resting places while others choose to put the fresh concrete on the kitchen cabinents avoiding seams and joints.

The precasters say they have more control over the outcome. Generally speaking, precasters and excellent form makers and often times cast the pieces upside down so that the soon to be top surface comes out flat and smooth. The cast-in-place people usually are experienced concrete finishers who work the top surface sometimes with very dramatic effects.

In addition to the shape and color advantages of concrete countertops proponents point out that concrete is extremely durable requring very little maintenance and is repairable. Price may not be an advantage over granite, but there exists the possibility with concrete to do a unique and one of a kind creation that more and more consumers are finding appealing.

Magazines like Concrete Construction, Residential Concrete, Concrete Concepts, Concrete Homes and Concrete Decor and web sites www.concretenetwork.com and www.decorative-concrete.net are sources for more information about concrete countertops.