Use an Eco-Friendly Concrete Mix
Just how green and environmentally responsible your concrete countertops are depends largely on what goes into the mix. Portland cement, which constitutes about 12% of most concrete, is highly energy-intensive to produce. You can reduce this environmental liability by using a countertop mix that replaces some of the cement with materials such as fly ash, slag cement and silica fume—all industrial waste byproducts from coal-fired power plants, steel mills and other manufacturing facilities. Several companies have come up with proprietary "green" mix designs well-suited for concrete countertops. One such product is Eco-Crete from Coulee Concrete Designs, a mixture that replaces as much 36% of the cement with fly ash. Talk to your countertop fabricator as most of them work with a green mix. When shopping around for concrete countertops, ask local fabricators what goes into their mix designs, and consider doing business with a contractor that uses recycled waste materials. Note that replacing some of the cement in concrete with these byproducts should not affect the quality, performance or even the cost of your countertop. Fly ash, for example, is cost competitive with portland cement and has unique properties that can enhance concrete durability, strength and impermeability (see Fly Ash: Making Concrete Stronger, More Durable, and Easier to Work With). Return to Green Concrete Countertops Find a Concrete Contractor 24 Services in 221 Metros -- U.S. and Canada 
| Follow us on:
 
| Sign Up for Our Newsletters:
© 1999-2009 ConcreteNetwork.com None of this site may be reproduced without written permission |
Find a Concrete Countertop Contractor Design Ideas Other Resources |
Photo Gallery: Concrete Countertops
Countertop Ideas, Colors, & Styles
Cost: Concrete Countertops
Learn More at
Sign Up Today
Find Countertop Mixes
8 Tips for Hiring a Contractor
Why Concrete Countertops
Durability of Concrete Counters
Kitchen Design Ideas