Concrete Surfacing – A surprising alternative for countertops.

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by Anonymous

If you thought concrete was simply a material for garage floors and sidewalks, read-on. Concrete is making the leap from cold, grey, and rough to bold, colorful, and smooth. Concrete structures created by the Ancient Roman Empire still exist today; a testament to the durability of concrete. Griffin-Smith Castcrete is taking that durability and coupling it with unique designs, textures, and colors to bring a bold new look to kitchens, bathrooms, and other surfaces in residential and commercial interiors. Working with concrete industry consultants, Griffin-Smith Castcrete has developed a very advanced form of concrete that has several qualities not found in ordinary concrete. The strength of the Griffin-Smith concrete is more than 3 times that of conventional concrete. In addition to its durability, this mixture is capable of producing a lustrously smooth and shiny finish. What truly sets concrete apart as a surfacing material is the ability to mold it to almost any shape and thickness. In addition, virtually any color can be created using iron oxide pigments that are integrated into the material for a permanent coloration, unaffected by sunlight. Concrete allows more creative expression than any other surfacing material. It can be anything, depending on the way it's molded, cast, colored, and finished.

Concrete is reborn in the homes and business places of clients who wish to depart from the “plastic” look and quarried materials. It is a handcrafted material with appealing warmth. It has sculptural properties that render into strong and versatile forms. It is the perfect medium for a wide range of architectural applications. The warm, natural appearance is due to the natural ingredients that comprise concrete. These ingredients are primarily Portland cement, crushed stone, sand, and water. Griffin-Smith Castcrete adds several proprietary ingredients to enhance and extend the properties of concrete. Hand worked concrete has a natural, earthy look that compliments a broad range of interior styles. Concrete countertops allow clients to attain a sense of exclusivity. These countertops become functional works of art that transcend their functional nature. Clients can make their countertops even more “personal” by requesting inlays such as glass, metal, objects from nature such as shells or minerals, or a wide range of other materials compatible with concrete. The possibilities are virtually endless.

Concrete as a surfacing material is not a new idea. Concrete countertops have been around for more than two decades and have been steadily increasing in popularity. Designers in California have been using concrete surfacing for nearly twenty years and the trend is steadily moving east. Several home improvement-oriented television programs have recently produced segments on concrete countertops. The December 13th, 2002 issue of the Wall Street Journal ran an article on concrete countertops. The Home Depot’s design showcase, “Home Expo”, features concrete countertops in its kitchen display area. Architects around the country are turning to concrete as a means of having more control over their surfacing design. Homeowners are turning to concrete as a means of expression and a way to separate themselves from the cliqued surfacing that has become all too commonplace.

Every Griffin-Smith Castcrete surfacing product is a one of a kind, custom creation that is formed, cast, and finished in our studio. Clients are able to specify thickness, color, shape, inlays, edge detail, and many other characteristics. Each project starts as an empty canvas awaiting creative input. For this reason, concrete surfacing just may be the ultimate surfacing choice.

Griffin-Smith Castcrete, LLC. began operations in December of 2002. Hugh Griffin has over 25 years of experience in the construction trades. Thomas Smith brings over 15 years of customer service experience to the operation.

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