CARE guide
General about our concrete
Our concrete is mainly a mix of 3 ingredients: water, cement and sand. To produce different colors we use dry or wet pigments.
“Concrete doesn’t dry, it cures. “
Once cured, so when the mix has harden concrete always has water in it.
Our concrete weighs about 2000kg/m3. This means that 1 square meter of concrete at 25mm thickness weighs about 50kgs, at a thickness of 50mm about 100kg.
PROTECTING YOUR CONCRETE
Concrete is a porous material, it needs to be protected.
Due to its porous properties, all our concrete creations are sealed with a suitable protective coating that will keep your concrete looking great for years to come.
The word great is something that we need to discuss here.
For some of us “great” means “new”. Some of us like the raw and chunky look of concrete. They might also like how patina develops on the surface over time. On the other hand, some of us want a quartz-like, clean cut slim countertop that doesn’t stain at all.
Do you keep the kitchen countertop clean at all times?
Are you constantly wiping the surfaces?
Are you always in a hurry and tend to forget to forget to clean your countertop?
These are the things we need to discuss before we start your project.
The market provides a wide range of protection systems. We mostly use the following:
Topical sealers: in which case you protect your porous concrete with a film of material, which is usually PU (polyurethane). We use topical sealers for most of our creations (tables and countertops) It is very resistant to stains but may scratch easily. Topical sealers keeps your concrete looking new as long as you take good care of it. In 80% of the cases polyurethane is the protection chosen by our customers.
Reactive sealers: a chemical reaction with the concrete itself happens and crystals are built within the matrix of the concrete. Reactive sealers protect the concrete in depth giving a more natural look to your countertops.
Ceramic coatings: have proven to be a solid options for protecting concrete furniture. The liquid product is catalyzed on the surface of the concrete with a torch. For added waterproofing in can be coupled with a reactive sealer that will work as a “ primer” bringing unmatched durability and a sleek feel.
Optionals:
Waxes: carnauba and bees wax are the most commonly used waxes for concrete. Their protection level is lower than most topical or reactive sealers. On the other hand they are great maintenance and care products for your concrete. Waxes are mostly applied on concrete legs and decorative elements.
Oils: Tung, flax, paraffin oils work very well with concrete. We use oils for eg. on outdoor dinner tables. They are also great maintenance products.
At 16JUIN we work with all the above mentioned products. A kitchen countertop will not be used the same way as a wall panel, therefore it doesn’t need the same protection.
The protection process starts with the preparation of the surface; it is a key phase before applying any sealer.
In the end, remember that there are no material that will last forever. Your concrete piece will age and that is what’s beautiful about this material.
Wipe your concrete tops with a soft humid rag. You can use mild cleaning solutions (soap or similar). Do not use any abbrasive sponges or cleaning products.
WOODEN TOPS
Oak, birch, larch, maple …we have been working with several wood species. We work with massive wood pieces and can deliver any type of wooden objects. Our workshops are equiped for most woodworking operations.
We have a standard thickness of 40mm for our wooden tops. Products are usually oiled or waxed (with a tint/dye or clear). We offer other types of protections for commercial use.
Tops are usually bolted to their frames with M8 or M10 bolts. Do not overtight the bolts leaving room for the wood to slightly shrink or expand.
STORAGE
Storage on the job site:
If you cant install your countertops or tabletops upon delivery please keep them on the pallet in a dry and warm area. Please make sure there isn´t a massive airflow around the shipment.
Concrete tops may warp if stored unappropriately.
If you happen to open the pallet and remove all films, please keep to tops flat on leveled ground making sure there is enough airflow underneath and below the pieces. For tables ,it is just easier to keep the tabletop on its frame.
Winter storage for tables:
Do not cover your outdoor table with a protective hood. It will most likely gather moisture underneath and leave humidity stains on your concrete tabletops. What we suggest: put wedges under each leg on one side on the table, creating a slope with tops so water doesn´t stagnate on the surface.
Wooden tops:
Moisture content in our wooden creations is usually around 6-7%. This means that they are meant to be used in an indoor environment. If your wooden table has travelled a long way to you (in a humid / cold environment), take it in a room where temperature is slightly lower (garage or similar). Keep it there for couple days, and only after move it to the desired spot.
Drastic temperature and air humidity variations may cause excessive warping or cracking in wooden elements.