A message from CCI founder Jeff Girard: Watch me create 6 completely different looks using the same batch of concrete:
Same mix. Same batch. Six distinctly different aesthetics – from hand-pressed texture to glass-smooth self-consolidating concrete.
How? By manipulating the concrete through strategic use of admixtures, fibers, pigments, and most importantly, different casting techniques.
It’s Not What Mix You Use – It’s How You Use It
You know the old saying, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it”? The same principle applies to concrete countertop mix design.
Don’t get me wrong – mix design matters. (Here’s why you should care about choosing the right mix.) But here’s what matters more: your knowledge of how to manipulate that mix.
The reality? Specialized mixes aren’t necessary for different aesthetics. A single well-designed base mix, combined with proper technique, can achieve virtually any look you want.
Knowledge Beats Proprietary Formulas
From the beginning, my mission with CCI has been simple: give you the knowledge that makes you successful with concrete.
You could have the best concrete countertop mix in the world. But without understanding basic concreting practices and how to manipulate your materials, you won’t get the results you want.
On the flip side? If you know what you’re doing and you’re creative, you can create amazing work with even basic mixes. Case in point: these zebra wall panels I made in 2008 using an old-school aggregate-based mix.
When Specialized Mixes Actually Matter
There are specific applications where you’ll need specialized formulations – ultra-high performance concrete for structural elements, or self-consolidating mixes for complex shapes with minimal handling.
Your knowledge of concrete fundamentals is what helps you identify when a specialized mix is truly necessary versus when technique alone will achieve your goal.
The Bottom Line
Knowledge. Confidence. Success. That’s the CCI philosophy.
It’s your understanding of concrete behavior and your confidence with the entire process – from mix manipulation to casting techniques – that determines your success.
Ready to master concrete manipulation? Learn how to control concrete consistency for any application, in our detailed dosing guide.
Want comprehensive training? Our GFRC workshops teach you everything from mix design to advanced casting techniques, with lifetime support.