Huge objets d'art that look like boccie balls on steroids await the polishing wheel before being trucked to somebody's garden. Fireplace inserts are splayed out on the floor. Countertops rest on finishing tables. The care and maintenance of all this concrete is similar to other natural materials. Regular applications of nontoxic sealer keep tops stain-resistant but not stainproof.
Cooking oils are a concern, and vigilance is the best weapon to avoid stains.
Hairline fractures and small pits are inherent in concrete, but devotees say the uneven patina adds character. Dues to the club depend on variables such as how many curves are drawn into the mold, but prices are roughly comparable to natural stone. In commercial applications, concrete is a hot commodity. America Online commissioned a conference table from Concrete Jungle that reflected the Internet business. Sprint placed orders for work surfaces for its Web-hosting offices in Boston and New York.