The Past, Present and Future of Concrete Countertops

An interview with Jeff Girard of The Concrete Countertop Institute.

Concrete Contractor magazine (CC): How did concrete countertops become the hot topic they are today?

Jeff Girard (JG): Concrete countertops have actually been around for a long time, going back to the 1980s in California

It wasn t until the late 1990s that concrete countertops started catching on around the country and on the East Coast. That's when I started making concrete countertops, and in those days there was no training and very little information to be found. secrets were closely guarded, and concrete countertops were still a cottage industry. In 2001 I attended a "Concrete Countertop Summit" of concrete countertop makers from around the country. There were eight people there.

Around that time, granite and natural stone had exploded in popularity in high end homes, and have since become, in my opinion, overused. People started looking for an alternative - something that's not just like everyone else and something that's created for them and special. At the same time, beautiful examples of the use of concrete in the home - in countertops, fireplaces, tubs and more - started getting press in the major shelter magazines such as Sunset, House Beautiful and Architectural Digest.

This led to more contractors hearing about them, hearing about their rising popularity, and wanting to get into the business. I think that's what caused them to become a hot topic.

But there's a downside to this. I started seeing and hearing about more and more examples of poorly done concrete countertops, and I feared that the industry would shoot itself in the foot.

CC: So that's why you started training?

JG: Yes. I firmly believe that if concrete countertops are done well - if they have the fit, finish and performance of other countertop materials - then they can become a legitimate countertop choice for any high-end project.

I want to raise the standard for concrete countertops, by teaching new people how to make highquality concrete countertops and succeed in the business. That helps everybody, by raising the popularity of concrete countertops. It's also why I started the Concrete Countertop Industry Conference in 2006, which drew 250 people that first year. The 2007 conference grew to 400 attendees, and we're currently working on the 2008 conference, to be held Aug. 21-23 in Sacramento, Calif.

CC: With all these people getting into the business, do you think there is a danger of concrete countertops becoming overused?

JG: Not in the way granite has, because concrete countertops have an unlimited range of looks and forms. They can be simple, beautiful natural gray slabs, or dramatic sculptural elements. I think there is a wide range of ways concrete countertops can be made, from more production-oriented shops to custom artwork. Concrete countertops are always special and unique. The one caution I would add is to keep the price of concrete countertops high. Don't compete on price, and the kind of commoditization we've seen with granite will not occur.

CC: You've talked about how concrete countertops got started and what's happening now. Where do you see the concrete countertop industry in five years?

JG: I see it thriving, with lots of homeowners choosing concrete for their homes, lots of good products available for successful concrete countertop making, and lots of contractors making a good living and enjoying their craft.