OVERVIEW on Kitchen Countertops:
The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in your home, and the right choice for kitchen countertops is key to the successful execution and ongoing use of the space. Now more than ever, you can choose from a diverse range of kitchen counter materials. For each aspect of home design and remodeling you can also strive to make choices that are 1) Functional, 2) Stylish, 3) Cost-Effective, and 4) Environmentally Sustainable. These are the four key guiding principles in the GREENandSAVE strategy. You will find that in certain cases, one or two of the criteria take precedent over others. However, as you review the home improvement options that are right for your home, you may be surprised to learn that reaching all four is more achievable than you thought.
Selection Tip: In choosing a kitchen countertop material make sure to think through its integration with your kitchen cabinets, appliances, and the backsplash that will work best for your design and installation. Solid surface and natural stone materials typically need to be precut prior to installation versus tiles that can be cut and set right on the job site. Kitchen countertop backsplashes sometimes look great when they match the countertop material, but you can alternatively enhance the countertop material by choosing a different tile to run from the top edge of the counter all of the way up to the underside of the head cabinet. If you decide on the tiles, also take care in choosing the right color grout and look for new tile grouts that are stain resistant.
DETAILS on Concrete Countertop Maintenance:
Cleaning and maintaining your concrete countertops is easy. The main thing to consider when cleaning your concrete countertops is to follow the instructions advised by your countertop contractor or manufacturers. It is best to seek their assistance on the proper care and maintenance of countertop because they know what works best for their product. Listed below are some cleaning and maintenance tips that you can follow:
- Make sure your concrete countertop is equipped with a sealer. A sealer is applied on the surface of your concrete countertop to provide protection against kitchen stains such as food stains, oils, and grease. If your concrete countertop has not been sealed, then you can apply it yourself. Make sure your countertop is dry, clean, and free from harmful contaminants before applying the surface sealer. Read the instructions on the label carefully and follow them as advised.
- Once you've initially sealed your concrete countertop, make sure to apply the sealer regularly. Wax coating is an example of a countertop sealer that provides a high level of protection.
- When cleaning your concrete countertop, avoid using abrasive soaps or cleansers. For regular cleaning, manufacturers recommend the use of mild, non-ammoniated, and non-abrasive soaps that would not damage your countertop. You can use popular cleanser brands such as Simple Green and Dr. Bronner's natural soap. Simple Green should be diluted in water and applied as directed. Dr. Bronner’s natural soap should be mixed with five-part water and used also as directed. Warm water combined with a neutral pH cleanser can also be used.
- Avoid using an abrasive pad when cleaning or wiping away dirt from your concrete countertop because they can cause scratches or mild damage. Use a sponge or a soft dishrag instead because they can clean the surface just the same without the risk of damaging it.
- Clean food or liquid spills as soon as possible. Spills that are left standing on the surface for a long time can stain your concrete countertop permanently.
- Avoid placing hot pans, hot plates, and other hot cookware on your concrete countertop. The heat can gradually but permanently damage the seal on your countertop. Make sure that there is always a hot pad or a trivet available on your countertop where you can place hot pans on.
- Remember that knives can cut through and create weak spots on the sealer, so make sure they do not make contact with the surface. You should provide a safe storage for all the sharp and pointed objects in your kitchen. Also, use a chopping board when preparing food instead of doing it directly on the surface.
- For any problems that you do not know how to resolve, do not hesitate to contact your contractor or manufacturer.
GREEN Considerations:
When it comes to cleaning your countertop look for products that have ingredients that are not hazardous to humans or the earth. Many cleaners are now produced without phosphates, chorine, borates, phenol, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrates Also look for cleaners that have low or zero volatile organic compounds, the chemicals that produce noxious toxins and air-pollution. Make your home the safest place in the world without sacrificing cleanliness. Finally, help save the environment by looking for concentrated cleaners so that we collectively reduce the shipping and transportation cost of moving heavier products that are pre-hydrated (just add water!). Overall, this new generation of concentrated, toxic-free, and biodegradable cleaning agents save the environment, you family's health, and your money.
Click here to see the range of top choices for environmentally friendly cleaners.
There are some issues with products used to seal concrete countertops. High-performance solvent-based sealers can be the least environmentally friendly because most of them contain volatile organic compounds, or VOCs. Many manufacturers have come out with water-based sealers, but these sealers tend to be less effective and more problematic than their solvent-based counterparts.
Stain-resistant concrete countertops are here! The Concrete Countertop Institute (CCI) created stain-resistant, acid-resistant, heat-resistant and abrasion-resistant concrete countertops using a urethane-based sealing system from RJSC.
A 2-part water-based urethane, which is applied over a 2-part epoxy primer, which is applied over an organo-silane surface conditioner that enhances bond. This complex combination of chemicals resulted in a very high-performance surface. The effort and skill required to apply these products was considerable, but it resulted in excellent performance over time.
Overview of the Steps
This system is manufactured by RJSC The steps and detailed instructions below come from those 2 companies.
Apply surface conditioner (O-S/W, a water-borne organo-silane)
Apply epoxy primer (StoneLok E3, a water-borne 2-part 51% solids epoxy)
Apply urethane top coat (StoneLok 2K, a water-dilutable 2-part polyurethane available in Gloss, Low Gloss and Xtra Low Gloss)
Note: You must use the StoneLok E3 to achieve the performance results detailed in this article. If you take the option of skipping this step as mentioned in the overview document, you will not get the same stain resistance.
Detailed Instructions
Please note that The Concrete Countertop Institute (CCI) does not manufacture or sell these products. They are subject to RJSC's limited warranty. While CCI has tested the products on its own concrete formulation, it is impossible to test in all possible situations, and therefore we cannot accept any liability for performance of these products.
Follow all instructions exactly and practice to get good results! Download and read each of the information/instruction sheets below, and PRACTICE!
You will find the staff at RJSC to be very knowledgable and helpful, and able to make recommendations for your specific situation. They will even test a sample of your concrete free of charge!
Apply surface conditioner according to manufacturer's instructions (O/S-W, a water-borne organo-silane)
Apply epoxy primer according to manufacturer's instructions (StoneLok E3, a water-borne 2-part 51% solids epoxy)
Apply urethane top coat according to manufacturer's instructions (StoneLok 2K, a water-dilutable 2-part polyurethane available in Gloss, Low Gloss and Xtra Low Gloss)
Performance
This system is an advanced urethane-based system. Urethanes commonly require a primer, as is the case with this system. This system also utilizes a surface conditioner, in this case an organo-silane used before applying the epoxy primer coat.
While this system involves three stages, the first is simple and fast. The organo-silane surface conditioner ensures a good chemical bond with the concrete, essential for long-term reliability and performance. Application is simple: brush on and let dry. There is no surface film or residue, so streaking or bubbles are not an issue.
The second and third stages are the primer and sealer. Both are water based so thinning and cleanup are very easy, and involve no expensive or hazardous chemicals. Application can be by rolling or by spraying.
The Concrete Countertop Institute tests on concrete sealed with this system demonstrated very good stain resistance and a high quality surface finish. Concrete samples were first treated with the OS/W surface conditioner, then primed with the epoxy primer, and then sealed with one coat of the StoneLok 2K urethane (S2K).
The Xtra Low Gloss version was tested. While not matte or dead flat, the Xtra Low Gloss had a pleasantly soft sheen that enhanced the surface color without looking shiny or plasticky. The film thickness of both the primer and sealer were estimated to be on the order of 5 to 10 mils or so - very thin.
Stain tests demonstrated excellent performance: When left on for 24 hours, vinegar, red wine, oil, beer, cola, ketchup and rubbing alcohol did nothing. No marks, discoloration or sheen change. Water did not penetrate at all. Mustard did discolor the sealer (but not the concrete) when left on for 24 hours, but bleach eliminated the spot. When left on for 24 hours, bleach did dull the sealer, but 1 hour of exposure didn't do anything at all.
Heat tests were also very successful. A 1/4" thick steel plate was heated in a toaster oven set on broil. It sat in the oven for 20 minutes before being placed directly on a sample of sealed concrete. The steel plate was allowed to cool to room temperature before being inspected. No damage, discoloration or change of any kind was detected.
This sealer has demonstrated excellent bonding characteristics, both to the concrete and to itself. Peel tests performed by first scoring the sealer with a razor and then ripping duct tape applied over the cuts did not peel any of the sealer off the concrete, testament to its excellent bond.
When one coat of the S2K sealer was applied over month-old sealer with no surface preparation (other than cleaning with water), the reapplied sealer passed the peel test with no peeling or debonding. This indicates that repairs can be made with confidence and without extensive surface preparation.
Where to Get It: This system is available as a kit from RJSC. RJSC is a research and development company specifically for the study of cementitious substrates and surface defects. They both manufacture a variety of concrete sealing products of their own, as well as carry other manufacturers' products. The products described in this article are manufactured by Richard James Specialty Chemicals Corporation, which is where the detailed instruction sheets come from.
RJSC's goal is to provide superior products and recommend others of high quality when their own products are not suitable for the job. They don't just sell sealers; they solve problems. RJSC welcomes your questions about this sealing system, and can provide you with expert technical support. You can reach them at: 607-655-2362 (direct) or 800-475-1975 (main office) Fax: 914-478-7516 www.rjsconline.com
RJSC sells this system as a complete kit, in a small quantity that is affordable and gives you an opportunity to learn and test the system. When ordering, refer to the "Counter Top Test Kit". If you decide to use the system for all your countertops, you may later order larger quantities of each product at a savings per unit price.
