FAQ

After the design is finalized, and the template is made, normal production time is generally about 3 to 5 weeks depending on the complexity of the project, and how full our production schedule is.

We use a very advanced concrete mix that is engineered to withstand normal flexural and compressive stresses.  As long as the concrete is installed on a sound foundation, cracking shouldn’t be an issue. Non-structural hairline fissures may appear over time, this is considered normal, and not an indication of product failure.

Yes, style is determined by design; and concrete can adapt to any look. With the right design, it can even have a “warmer” feel than some natural stones. Edge detailing and decorative inlays can help a concrete counter to blend into more traditional environments.

At 1″ thick, one square foot of our concrete weighs approximately 10 pounds. This is similar to most other surfaces at this thickness.  For thicker pieces, we can give the concrete a dropped edge so it will appear to be thicker without adding much weight. A properly installed standard cabinet should support the countertop weight without any concerns.

We use a food safe sealer for our countertops (and for almost everything else that we produce for that matter).

As with any hard surface, you should not cut directlåy on it because it could scratch the concrete, and it will ruin your knives. If you wish we can design a custom recess in the countertop that will fit a wooden cutting board.

Although the concrete itself is heat resistant, the sealer can be compromised by too much heat, so you should still use trivets under cookware. We can turn that into a design feature, and incorporate a built-in trivet into your countertop if desired.

Yes, it is.  For most of our surfaces (and all countertops), we use a food safe, ultra-low VOC sealer, as opposed to topical sealers that only coat the surface. Our sealer greatly reduces potential damage from abrasion and eliminates problems with the sealer peeling away.

To clean concrete, wipe it down with Simple Green or a mild non-abrasive soap, applied with a non-abrasive sponge or cloth. Avoid ammonia, citrus, bleach, and acidic cleansers. Please see our care guide for details.  For a countertop, the sealer may need to be rejuvenated after several years or more depending on use. Outdoor surfaces will need to be refreshed a little more often in order to continue looking and performing their best.

Concrete has approximately the same porosity as marble and therefore can stain if not cared for properly.  The sealing products that we use make our concrete stain resistant, but spills should be wiped up, especially acids such as vinegar or citrus juice, and chemicals. Please see out care guide for more details. Most stains can be removed, but many people feel that like aged butcher block or marble, a patina on concrete countertops enhances the character of the surface.
There are topical sealers out there that claim to be “stain proof” but they are just a coating on the surface of the concrete, so  if damaged they leave no protection, and they can often peel away from the concrete after a few years of use, which is why we don’t utilize topical sealers.

Concrete surpasses any stone when it comes to the forms and shapes that can be made. That opens up all kinds of design possibilities, while granite and other engineered surfaces are limited to what can be CNC’d out of a flat slab. Also, granite and most other surfaces create a lot of waste because they must be cut out of a larger slab. We closely calculate the amount of material needed for each project, creating almost none. Our concrete products can also be made to closely match almost any color, which other solid surfaces cannot do.

Price-wise granite runs from $35-300 per square foot depending on where it’s from, and how thick it is. It comes from quarries that are often on the other side of the world and in countries where there is very little regulation of working conditions and environmental concerns. Not to mention the carbon footprint necessary to extract the granite, and ship a heavy slab around the globe. Other engineered surfaces that are often marketed as green, often utilize lots of chemicals containing high amounts of VOC’s that offset much, if not all of their green efforts. As mentioned in our environmental section, we use a high degree of recycled content in our mixes, and many of the ingredients in our concrete products are produced nearby.

It depends on the project. Concrete pieces can vary from as little as $40/sq. ft. for things that require minimal processing like wall panels, to $150/sq. ft. and higher depending on the complexity of the design, materials used, and the hours necessary to create the piece. Generally for a countertop, it falls between $85, and $100/sq. ft. Contact us for a free consultation and estimate.

We have a standard set of colors, but we can also match nearly any color imaginable. All we need is a sample of the color you are looking for.

At Greyscape Studio the health and safety of our workers and our clients is of utmost importance. We may pass on certain jobs if we don’t feel like we can reasonably complete in in a safe manner.