We go behind the scenes to show you just what machinery it takes to create the perfect countertop. CNC or Computer Numerically Controlled machines allow for incredible accuracy (1/1000th of an inch) and boost production speeds. Enjoy.

Create a unique personal etched engraved granite counter or stone floor with a monument laser etching system. Easily place large granite counter-tops on the bed and program in your favorite artwork to be permanently marked on the stone. Tile, Limestone, Travertine, Marble, and Granite Flooring can be lasered.

CASATILE & GRANITE is a full service TILE CONTRACTOR specializing in stone tile installations including: CERAMIC, SLATEMARBLE, GRANITE, TRAVERTINE and designing tile layouts using GLASS, CERAMIC, PORCELAIN, MOSAIC and METAL TILES. We are custom kitchen and bathroom tile installers and remodel contractors offering IN HOME consultations and tile design services for your home improvement projects.

Laminate counter tops can be resurfaced to look like Marble, Granite, Glass, Copper and Bronze in two days. View Kitchen Counters video and also enjoy free newsletter perks and training.

In this how-to-video Alan Stankevitz measures out the ingredients for his DIY concrete countertop and mixes them using a mortar mixer.

builddirect.com presents a glossary series for tile and stone products to allow you to buy them with confidence. This video is about substrates for ceramic and natural stone tile.

Concrete isn’t just for structural building. It’s the stuff counter tops are made of. Concrete counter tops, in fact, are sweeping the kitchen design industry with their beauty and versatility.

Thanks to the properties of concrete, this building material can be worked and molding into almost any shape, size and design. The benefits of concrete counter tops are many, but rest assured, they are not gleaned by compromising beauty. Those who have these counter tops find they are almost impossible to differentiate from other hard surface materials favored by kitchen designers.

There are a few basic looks that concrete counter tops can take on thanks to the use of different colorings, aggregates and coatings. These include:

Marbleized: Using different pigments and creation techniques, master counter top makers can take concrete and make it virtually indistinguishable from a slab of marble. The beauty is sealed in.

Trowel: Offering a rougher surface than most counters, this design is one that many adore for its unusual beauty.

Terrazzo: By adding glass or marble into the mix, concrete counter tops can take on a variety of different looks in terrazzo. This can add an extra dimension of beauty to the countertops.

In addition to having a variety of appearances, these counter tops do have some ups and downs. They are, overall, quite comparable with other single sheet designs. Things buyers should know about concrete tops include:

* Sealer. Concrete counter tops must be sealed to ensure staining and other damage are avoided. When a sealer is well applied, the counter tops can resist all sorts of problems. Despite this, there are things that can compromise the sealer, so it’s important to make sure the job is done correctly and it’s protected from damage. The rules associated with concrete care aren’t much different than most regular counter tops come with even most of the “high-end” designs.

* Cutting issues. While some counter tops are meant to be cut on directly, concrete is not one such creation. While the concrete can handle direct cutting, the sealer cannot. When cutting is done directly on the surface, it impacts the sealer, which could lead to stain problems down the road.

* Heat issues. Again, concrete itself can take the punishment, but the sealer might not. With this in mind, it’s recommended that hot pans and bowls not be placed directly on the counter tops. Just like working with Corian or other similar counter tops direct heat is worth avoiding to protect the beauty of the counter tops.

Offering a remarkable beauty, concrete counter tops are amazing to behold. It’s very difficult for anyone who doesn’t know what they’re made of to tell by appearance. When crafted by masters, the designs can be simply fantastic.

Although concrete is well known for its building properties, the fact is this material isn’t just for under surfaces anymore. Concrete counter tops are taking the kitchen industry by storm. Known for their durability and beauty, these counter tops are comparable in looks to some of the top designer choices, such as granite, quartz and beyond.

A step by step guide to fabricating beautiful concrete countertops by hand.

Especially perfect for unusually shaped countertops, concrete surfaces are strong, heat and scratch resistant, and textured. These countertops are custom fit and usually cast right in your home. Although they can be on the expensive side, concrete counters are much stronger than any other natural surface. These counters can be color-tinted with creative colors and inlays and have various textured feels.  

Concrete surfaces are made entirely of natural materials. A mixture of water, cement, sand, stone and pigment creates the material. Concrete must be sealed properly to resist strains and water damage.   

Cost: About $75 to $200 per square foot.

Personal Touches  

Along with being expressive and aesthetic on its own, embedded vintage tiles, shells or other objects can add personality to concrete countertops. For an ultra-personalized look, carve in your initials! With casting, shaping, and other methods, concrete can have a variety of textures. Concrete will always be unique with all of the different pigments, stains, and aggregate colors that are offered.  

Cleaning Concrete  

Although heat and scratch resistant, concrete countertops do require some maintenance. Spills should be rinsed promptly and using abrasive cleaners should be avoided. It is also suggested that concrete be waxed every one to three months and resealed every one to two years.  

You should not cut directly on concrete or place hot pans on it. Although heat resistant, damage and discoloring to the sealer can still occur when material is exposed to high temperatures. If concrete is not sealed than it is porous and will stain.  

Concrete is very durable, noncombustible and resistant to decay. On the other hand, concrete countertops can crack from natural shrinkage, and trying to patch them can make the cracks more obvious. Many people who opt for concrete surfaces embrace their hairline cracks and irregularities, because they give a natural and authentic look to the concrete. Also, the hairline cracks are nonstructural.   

Ashley and Brad Pick out his granite countertops at Bel Stone & Tile with the Princess too. See which one they go home with. … Ashley and Brad Pick out his granite countertops at Bel Stone Tile. knoxville b975 b97.5 wjxb