Fu-Tung Cheng in The New York Times - October 27, 2005
Room to improve: Decorative Concrete

By Ernest Beck
Q. What's hot in the gray world of concrete?

A. Decorative concrete, as it is called, took off in the 1990's as designers and consumers discovered its minimalist beauty. It now comes in a rainbow of colors and finishes - mixed with sand, crushed glass and other aggregates - and is used not only for counters but also for bathroom vanities, fireplaces and even beds. At about $80 to $120 a square foot (more in the hands of some artisans), it can be more costly than granite and Corian. And despite its durable image, it can crack and stain. Don't even think about cutting a lemon or spilling red wine on most concrete counters.

Some admirers say stains and blotches create an alluring patina, just as signs of wear add to the appeal of jeans. But to ease the concerns of fussier consumers, some fabricators have concocted secret recipes, finishes and cleaning methods to keep concrete looking spiffy.

Sonoma Cast Stone, in Petaluma, CA, entered the field this year with NuCrete, which is described as stainproof and comes with a money-back guarantee. "We've run it under fountains of lemon juice and it works," said Stephen Rosenblatt, president of Sonoma Cast Stone. It sells fireplaces, tiles and sinks in fanciful shapes and in dozens of colors, like the double Wavesink ($4,400), above. Just wipe down and wax occasionally. Information: sonomastone.com or (877) 939-9929.

Another option is Geocrete, made by Cheng Design in Berkeley, CA. While Geocrete provides a lustrous finish, the company says it is by no means acidproof. (Fu-Tung Cheng, the owner, sometimes brings clients home to see his stained concrete kitchen counter). He recommends a nontoxic penetrating sealer, wiping up quickly after spills and a light monthly waxing. Information: www.chengdesign.com or (510) 849-3272.

Stain- and chip-resistant concrete is also made by David Hertz, an architect in Santa Monica, CA. His product, called Syndecrete, is a cement-based composite that contains minerals and recycled materials like beer bottles and CD's. It comes with an acrylic seal. Some owners wax their Syndecrete daily for a smooth, clean look; others prefer a well-worn surface. Information: www.syndesisinc.com or (310) 829-9932.

Concrete without a fancy name is still used by custom fabricators like Get Real Surfaces in Poughkeepsie, NY, which has a celebrity clientele. To preserve the concrete's finish, the company applies a solvent-based acrylic sealer and suggests a monthly rubdown with wax. For those with no time to care for their concrete, the company offers a $150 maintenance contract, which includes one service visit by a maintenance person who sands, cleans and polishes the surfaces, which is "like getting an oil change," said Avis Bishop, an owner of Get Real Surfaces. Information: www.getrealsurfaces.com or (845) 452-3988.

In the end, living with concrete means accepting its limitations, as Alison Masick and her husband, Tim, found out after paying $21,000 for a concrete vanity, floor and shower in the bathroom of their Manhattan apartment. Within weeks of the installation a crack appeared, along with dark splotches and pockmarks.

"You think concrete is indestructible," Ms. Masick said, "but it isn't."