FAQS
Have questions? Here’s some we get asked all the time, they might answer yours. If not, please get in touch with us via the contact form on this website or email us at [email protected]
When our concrete is installed it is fresh out of the moulds and will slowly be curing over the next 3-4 weeks. To ensure its long durability – during this period we strongly recommend that the concrete is treated with great care; e.g minimise scrubbing, wiping, staining, resting hot pans etc.
Our sealer is certified to 150°C, so most warm things will be fine. However, it’s wise to use a trivet or heat resistant mat for hot pans, utensils and dishes straight from the oven or hob.
Concrete is a robust material but not impenetrable. It will certainly stand up to normal, careful usage but like anything, if abused, it will get damaged.
It compares well to granite, where the machined edges can get chipped and spoil the whole appearance or wood that can discolour and rot. Like any surface, bashing the edges with heavy pots and pans is risky and may cause damage.
Every piece we cast has its own unique qualities, we think the imperfections give it character. It will also get better with age, just like a fine wine!
Although very robust, if you want to maintain its finish, we’d recommend you use a chopping board designed for the job.
We apply four coats of safe, non-toxic, food grade sealer. To preserve the effectiveness of the sealer, avoid abrasive sponges or Brillo pads, as these will wear away the sealer and expose the concrete.
All you need is a soft, clean cloth and warm soapy water or a normal domestic surface cleaner. Harsh solvents, chemicals and bleach, applied with abrasive cloths will damage the sealer.
Simply show it a bit of love now and then. Give it a polish, ideally with a wax product like Cheng Concrete Countertop Wax. It will keep your concrete looking good and help prevent staining. Get in touch if you need help finding products.
Yes, we don’t expect your table to levitate! We work with local craftspeople to make legs and bases that will complement your design.
It’s not for everyone, but if you’re looking for something beautifully handmade, unique and lasting, then you should consider concrete. It certainly makes a statement!
Everything we make is entirely bespoke, just for you, to fit your space. We can customise the texture, the finish and the colour so it’s personalised to your décor.
It’s hard wearing, and with proper care it will last, giving you years of service and pleasure. We love talking concrete, so if you’d like to explore the possibilities more, just get in touch.
You’ll need to give us a little time to make your perfect piece. We start from scratch, with designs, templates, moulds, casting and finishing, which can take a few weeks. We aim for 3-4 weeks from order to installation, but it’s sometimes flexible. We’ll keep you in the loop throughout the making though.
You also need to commit to showing your concrete a bit of TLC to keep it looking handsome. It will change with age, but we think it’s like growing old and wearing your adventures on your face. We can give your concrete a small facelift with our resealing service, but regular care will preserve its character.
Maybe not as heavy as you’d imagine. We can fit concrete worktops onto most kitchen units without any modifications. The only time we’d need reinforcement is for an extremely large piece. If you want the look of a thick surface but not the weight, we cleverly rebate the inside so that the edges look chunkier on the outside.
Because every piece is made to order, we’ll assess where it’s going to be used and manufacture accordingly so don’t worry about it falling through the floor!
1. Where you are. Your address for delivery and installation.
2. Your ideas, if you have any. Plans, sketches, photos, stuff your kids have drawn and stuck on the fridge and some dimensions.
3. Any special considerations like cut-outs or shadow gaps.
4. For kitchen worktops, we’ll need details of splashbacks, waterfalls, upstands, and sink sizes.
5. For tables, what kind of leg or base you need and the height.
6. If you have a deadline, let us know early so we can try and meet it.
You can send everything in our contact form (it’s on the website, in Contact Us), or you can email us at: [email protected]
As everything we make is individual, we give you an estimate based on the information you supply, plus the size, the complexity and where we’re installing it.
It’s important that all the information we receive is accurate because if we need to make changes at the template stage, the cost may change.
Our normal lead time is 3-4 weeks, from order confirmation to installation. We’ll do our very best to be flexible and work with your schedule and we keep in touch throughout the project.
We ask for a 50% deposit at the time of ordering. The remaining 50% is due once the project is complete. This should arrive with us within five working days of you receiving the invoice. For orders less than £1,500 we ask for the whole amount when ordering.
We accept payment by debit, credit cards, BACS, bank transfer. All forms of payment can be done through our business invoices. Our business bank account details can be found on the invoice.
It really depends on the size or number of pieces and where you are located. It may take a full day, or even several days to deliver and install. If you don’t require installation, we may arrange a courier service and add that charge to your quote and final invoice.
We offer a one year guarantee on all our concrete pieces, as long as we carried out the installation and our maintenance guidelines have been followed.
We can remove certain stains and re-polish at a further cost. You can contact us if you need this service.
Of course. We’re all about making something totally special for our clients. Share your ideas with us and throw down the challenge gauntlet – we’re up for it.
We only get started on your project once the initial 50% deposit has been received, so cancellation up to this point would incur no charge. If cancellation occurs after the deposit has been taken and work has commenced on the project, we will try to return as much of the deposit as possible, depending on how much of the work has been carried out and to cover expenses and materials.
Please get in touch with us and we would be happy to advise on the next steps. After 12 months, repair costs will occur. Prices vary depending on size and extent of damage, location and time.
If you have any questions or concerns around this, please contact us by calling 0114 321 5070 or emailing [email protected]
One of the unique things about Kelham Island Concrete is the service we offer to all of our customers, and the fact that we challenge ourselves every single day and don’t limit our horizons in what we can achieve with our concrete products. We don’t just make concrete worktops, sinks or tables, but our ethos is to break the barriers faced surrounding concrete, be pioneers in developing almost any product from the material, and develop our customers’ visions into a concrete reality.
Every project that we take on is different and special to us in every way. We therefore aim to make each piece of concrete bespoke and personal to the client’s needs and specifications. We take on pretty much any concrete challenge, whether it be different shapes, style, colour or patina. With so many pigments, textures and finishes now available to us, we can help you create stunning spaces that make a lasting statement. Our concrete offers a robust, durable solution for living and working spaces of all kinds. From our workshop in Sheffield’s oldest industrial district, we’ve built a portfolio of outstanding work. Whether in a private or commercial setting, Kelham Island Concrete will serve all of your concrete desires.
If you are passionate about innovative design and have a love of concrete, then Kelham Island Concrete is the place for you!
