Move over marble: concrete is having its moment

The kitchen worktop is one of the defining features of a kitchen. Whether traditional or contemporary, rustic or chic, the finishes and colours are endless.

Whatever your style, when you’re planning a kitchen, you’re likely to consider marble or concrete – and for good reason.

Our love affair with marble

Over the past few years, kitchen worktop trends favoured lighter base colours, which led to the rise in popularity of marbles and man-made stones. For us, marble took a position at the forefront of the trend – primarily because of its exciting and random natural bleeds and veining, which simply can’t be replicated successfully by man.

At Blakes London, we have always preferred marbles over the man-made equivalents, not only due to their aesthetic qualities but also because of the material’s natural origin. Marble is tactile and beautiful – nothing feels quite like it!

But marble is not for everyone. It is an acquired taste and needs to be appreciated for what it is, what it looks like, and how it feels. Yes, it can stain and it can scratch (though not as easy as you think, if looked after).

However, if it is the aesthetic you are after, nothing looks as good – and the man-made equivalents just don’t come close.

I sit with my morning coffee and ogle my marble worktop. Every day I see something different and appreciate it in new ways. I love it!

Marble, though always popular, isn’t at the height of its popularity right now. Early adopters are moving toward a new era, back towards a darker base colour and – dare I say it? – away from marble. Marble will always be a staple and will remain in demand, but it will phase in and out of the top spot as trends dictate.

Concrete, meanwhile, is emerging from its chrysalis and blossoming into a stylish and exciting alternative.

The material is fascinating. It offers visual movement within the worktop, it reveals subtle clues to how it was crafted – and it has personality, as well as being tactile. These are all traits that have made marble so popular for so long.

What’s happened to concrete?

In the past, concrete tops and furniture were made from a water and concrete mix, poured into a man-made mould. With re-bar (structural metal) placed into the mix for support and strength, the concrete was then allowed to cure before being trowelled and sanded to the desired finish.

This method was effective in creating a structure that is both supportive and strong. However, when trying to achieve a workable smoother finish, such as you would need for a worktop, it was flawed.

Every mix is one of a kind and susceptible to human error. Miscalculations in the mixture, curing time, too much or too little water etc – all these factors influence the overall mix. If misjudged, they can cause the worktop not to bond correctly, leaving air gaps and ‘crumble sections’, which will result in cracking and weak points that are susceptible to staining.

People have been experimenting with concrete for many years. Notable Americans began inserting additives into the mix to see how far they could stretch its porosity and structural capabilities. However, in my opinion, it is the Australians who perfected these methods. They have made this previously impractical material practical.

Concrete geek 101

As a passionate concrete geek, I get excited about the science behind the material. If you’re like me, you may also be interested in the technicalities – but feel free to skip ahead, if not.

Concrete specialists have deconstructed and rebuilt the original concrete mix creating Glass Fibre Reinforced Cement, or GFRC. The critical factors of this are:

Adding glass fibre to the mix, giving it incredible structural capabilities and removing the need for the structural steel supports.
Adding a water reducer – a polycarboxylate-based super-plasticiser – to increase the workability of the concrete mixes. Lowering the water to cement ratio is critical for reaching optimal strength.
Adding an alkali-resistant glass scrim. In layman’s terms, this is a fibre mat, which offers extra support by binding the mould together.

New world order in concrete design

The refined GFRC mix allows for captivating designs, longer lengths and thinner – and, therefore, lighter – sections than could be achieved with traditional cast concrete. GFRC can be sprayed into the moulds, forcing out the air and producing a solid, tight finish. This reduces the likelihood of cracks and ‘crumble sections’.

As world leaders in interior design, architecture and cabinetry, the Australians have been pushing the boundaries and testing the status quo. They have practically re-written the method for making truly spectacularly shaped concrete designs, perfecting the kitchen worktop and manufacturing sinks, outdoor BBQ areas and much more.

They have set the bar high – and they have pushed concrete to its limits. This has allowed the material to deliver on strength, practicality and durability where previously it performed below-par in these areas.

Resin base: a concrete underdog

We can’t talk about advances in concrete without mentioning resin.

Using resin in the base allows those concerned about staining to have a concrete-style worktop without the usual staining concerns. Resin-based concrete will always look more real than its quartz competitors which, while attractive and almost stain-resistant, look even less like the real thing.

Resin-based additives reduce the absorption properties of concrete, making this previously porous material non-porous. However, this isn’t too popular, as it is a chemical additive and the result looks less like raw concrete and a little more artificial.

But there needs to be something out there for everyone, right?

In closing, I find concrete, like marble, a stunning material. It provides something tactile, beautiful and truly unique. No two worktops are the same, and like marble, you must celebrate the imperfections, not criticise! The options are endless, and it will add a truly unique element to your kitchen.

Remember, you get what you pay for, so do your research. Whatever you choose, like everything in life, if you look after it, it will look after you.

Quickfire Q&A on concrete and marble

Q: Resin or concrete?

Jamie Blake: Concrete every time. Like marble, it’s imperfect. Those imperfections give it character and charm and should be celebrated.

Q: Concrete by a tap – a major no-no?

Jamie Blake: I don’t think so. I’d say go for it, but with an open mind, knowing it won’t stay perfect. If you can’t live with that, consider mixing and matching surfaces. By mixing concrete surfaces with a man-made alternative you can gain added interest and durability – some might call this the best of both worlds!

Q: Honed or polished marble?

Jamie Blake: Honed, every time. It is more forgiving, and it absorbs more light, making the base colour appear whiter and allowing the veining to pop. Polished marble is lovely and can offer a wow factor to the scheme, but it can make a space seem cold and is less forgiving – think keeping a mirror clean!

Q: Most popular marble?

Jamie Blake: Carrara or Calacatta, primarily because of their competitive price point, similar in offering to the man-made alternatives. Carrara tends to provide a greyer base and has subtler grey veining, while Calacatta generally offers a whiter base with bolder, lighter veins.

Q: Marble in a bathroom? Or stick with porcelain tiles?

Jamie Blake: Marble every time, especially in the master suite! It is beautiful and offers that elegance we want to achieve in these rooms. Plus, it is timeless: it will never go out of fashion and it ages beautifully. What’s more, it is soft to the touch, offering a pleasing, tactile experience – just what you need first thing in the morning and last thing at night!

Move over marble!

Project in focus: GLOBE WALK

Project in focus: PRESTON