Do Concrete Countertops Crack?

Video: Concrete Countertop Durability
Length: 02:05 Hear about concrete countertop's strengths and weaknesses from acclaimed designer, Fu-Tung Cheng.

Q: Do concrete countertops crack?

A: Yes. Not always, but concrete countertops can develop hairline cracks. The cracks tend to be non-structural and result from the natural shrinkage of the concrete. However, some countertop cracks can be prevented.

As Buddy Rhodes Studio, Inc. notes:

Imperfections are part of the appeal. In fact, hairline cracks and slight irregularities are a natural part of the wear and tear and will not affect the structural integrity in the slightest (such fine cracks are also too narrow to trap food and debris). And while hairline cracks can be patched, such attempts often look far more obvious than the cracks themselves. Most people prefer the aged appearance that this natural occurrence bestows--in contrast to the cold and unvarying smoothness of plastic products such as Corian and Formica.

Each concrete countertop contractor has their own reinforcement method (see "How Concrete Countertops are made"). Soupcan Inc., for instance, uses fiber reinforcing technology. They believe their proprietary formulation drastically reduces the chances for both structural and hairline cracking. And that conventional wire mesh and rebar reinforcement acts only after cracking has occurred. Other contractors have success using rebar, mesh, fiber reinforcement, and/or other methods of reinforcement.

No matter what reinforcing method is used, hairline cracks may still occur. The hairline cracks are non-structural and should be considered part of the character of each slab.

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