When it comes to kitchen design, the choice between Cement and Concrete Countertops can be puzzling. It also depends on whether we are talking about Micro Cement or simply confusing Cement Countertops with Concrete Countertops. First let’s explore the confusion between Cement and Concrete.
Cement is one of the main ingredients in any concrete. Cement acts as the binder or “glue” for the other ingredients that make up Concrete. Maybe the confusion comes in where a Cement Mixer is called a Cement Mixer instead of a Concrete Mixer. Concrete is made up of cement, water, and typically gravel (though we don’t use gravel in our mix, that is a topic for another blog post!) In any case, Cement and Concrete are not the same thing, but some of you may think a Cement countertop is a Concrete countertop and that is ok!
Micro Cement is a completely different type of material than Concrete or even Cement itself. Micro Cement is a material that cement is also an ingredient of but it is a non structural material, meaning that it could not be a countertop by itself, it would need a substrate to be applied to. Micro Cement is a great material but it is a thin layer or material that is applied to a substrate like MDF, Durock, Hardiebacker or things like that. Concrete is structural by itself and can be used as a countertop or other product on its own without the need for an added substrate. Micro Cement is a troweled on finish much like plaster, but is a stronger and more flexible material.
For the rest of this blog post, we will refer to Cement Countertops as Concrete Countertops and Micro Cement Countertops as Micro Cement.
Concrete countertops result in a robust and versatile material that can be customized with different textures, colors, and decorative elements. From rustic to contemporary, concrete countertops (or cement countertops) offer endless design possibilities, making them a favorite among homeowners and designers alike.
In terms of durability, Concrete Countertops are renowned for their strength and resilience. However, Micro Cement is a thin layer of material that can be applied over old substrates whereas Concrete Countertops would be a complete replacement.
When it comes to cost, Micro Cement and Concrete Countertops are not very comparable, with prices for Micro Cement Countertops about half as much as Concrete Countertops. Prices will vary depending on factors such as size, complexity of design, and installation location requirements. While Micro Cement Countertops may be slightly more affordable upfront, Concrete Countertops offer greater flexibility in terms of design options, and durability, which would justify the additional investment for some homeowners. There are also not many contractors that understand or apply Micro Cement as it is more prevalent in Europe and is typically an Italian product. Most Micro Cement material manufacturers require certified distributors and applicators of their products as well.
