Something about KEN-crete CONCRETE DESIGNS:

KEN-crete CONCRETE DESIGNS is a division of Kenneth Hettinger Construction Co, Inc. We have been pleasing our clients since 1976 with a variety of "hands on" projects ranging from "custom hand made" houses to historic restoration work on the Caretakers Cottage at the Rose Garden, in the New York Botanical Garden.

Evolving into working with concrete counter-tops and elements was a natural for us due to concretes beautiful, expressive and one of a kind nature. The potential detailing of concrete countertops and elements rival even the finest cabinet and woodworking work we have done. I have apprenticed at the Fu Tung Cheng Concrete Exchange in Berkley CA, completing the Essentials and Advanced courses.

WHY CONCRETE COUNTER-TOPS

"Concrete is an ideal medium to express relationships between art and craft, between architecture and contracting.
There is something powerful-something emotional-about projects that evolve from actual hands-on experience with the material, coupled with an understanding of the pattern language of design principles." -- Fu-Tung Cheng

• Concrete is an extraordinary material that is practical, expressive, and aesthetic all at once.
  From a primal and formless slurry, you can transform it into virtually any shape that becomes a solid mass. The possibilities for creative expression are endless. You can grind, polish, stamp, or stain it. You can embed meaningful objects within it.
• Concrete countertops are the most unique material of all the possible top surfaces in that it truly offers a "one of a kind" look
• With concrete counter tops you can personalize, with embedments, color and texture a natural, handcrafted finish that has character
• With concrete you can create a surface that is unlike the too formal, too shiny or plastic, synthetic look of the alternative tops
• Concrete tops create an ageless, timeless surface that will develop a beautiful patina if desired

ARE CONCRETE COUNTER TOPS GREEN

75% or more of Concrete Counter Tops, by weight, is from natural and recycled ingredients. Sand and stone make up the majority of the mix which are traditionally mined and mixed locally minimizing the long distance transportation concerns. The processing involved in mining consists mainly of screening the sand and stone into uniform sizes. The decorative additives of stone and glass are by and large derives from recycled sources such as glass, mirror and marble chips. Concrete counter tops will last a lifetime and if ever changed will itself become a recycled material. Unlike most stone surfaces that are imported or transported long distances and unlike the synthetic surfaces that require extensive processing, Concrete Counter Tops are locally made, very organic in general and have a minimum amount of post development waste.

Additionally at KEN-crete Concrete Designs, all our form materials are constructed with Certified environmentally friendly "HyBred" panels. We use Sky Blend and SkyPly

We are always on the lookout to improve the manufacturing process in order to be more environmentally friendly.

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Pre-Cast vs. Caste in Place - KEN-crete CONCRETE DESIGNS does Pre-Cast production work only. All the time and mess of producing the tops is done in our shop and delivered as a finished product to your location. Caste in Place requires all the work and mess to be done at your home or business.

Will Concrete Counter Tops Stain - Left in its natural state, unsealed concrete will stain, like Marble. With the application of food grade sealers and basic cleanliness, staining is virtually eliminated. Use of non-abrasive, non-ammonitaed soap such as diluted "Simple Green" is all that is needed. In short cleaning and maintaining your Concrete Counter Top is no more difficult than other tops. We will help you choose the correct products.

CAN I CUT ON THE TOPS - Like all counter tops cutting boards are required. The concrete will not be damaged but your knife edge will. Cutting will compromise the sealing process also.

WEIGHT - The weight of a 1.5 inch top is 18.75 lb. per square foot compared with 18lb. for Granite.

We will be happy to address any other questions you may have**********

We are located in Yonkers, NY, and serve the surrounding communities of Scarsdale, Hartsdale, Bronx, White Plains, Harrison, Valhalla.