5 Reasons Why You Should Choose Concrete for Your Next Project

Discover the Benefits of Custom Concrete from Chicago Concrete Studio

Imagine a material that’s not only durable but also a blank canvas for creativity—a material that can integrate into any space, from elegant to rustic, contemporary to traditional, or even brutalist. A material that’s customizable, sustainable, environmentally friendly, and built to last for decades. Sounds too good to be true? With Chicago Concrete Studio, it isn’t. The possibilities are endless.

Whether you’re designing an elegant kitchen, a rustic patio, or a bold commercial space, concrete offers unmatched versatility. From custom colors and textures to sustainable, locally crafted pieces, Chicago Concrete Studio transforms ordinary concrete into extraordinary works of art. Here are 5 reasons why concrete—and Chicago Concrete Studio—is the best choice for your next project.

Reason #1: Concrete Can Be Tailored to Any Design Vision

When you think of concrete, you might imagine it as cold, rough, and utilitarian—the kind of material reserved for sidewalks. But at Chicago Concrete Studio, concrete is far from ordinary. In fact, it can be beautiful, colorful, and remarkably tactile.

Concrete’s versatility makes it an ideal choice for any aesthetic. It can be sleek and modern, warm and rustic, or even bold and industrial. We create custom concrete pieces in any color imaginable, and we offer a variety of textures and finishes, ensuring every project is one-of-a-kind. Whether it’s for a beach house countertop that incorporates rocks from a sentimental location or a contemporary piece that seamlessly fits into a high-end office space, concrete adapts to your vision.

With Chicago Concrete Studio, your concrete is more than a building material—it’s a work of art.

Reason #2: Concrete is at the Forefront of Innovation

Concrete continues to evolve with groundbreaking innovations that push the boundaries of design and sustainability. At Chicago Concrete Studio, we embrace the latest technologies and techniques to craft cutting-edge concrete solutions for any project.One of the ways we do this is through Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC). This composite material, made from cement and glass fibers, offers several advantages over traditional concrete: it’s stronger, more durable, lighter, and more flexible. GFRC allows us to create thin but strong pieces that can be customized to suit different design needs, from heavy-duty installations to lightweight designs.

In addition to GFRC, we also innovate by using both handmade and CNC (Computer Numerical Control) molds. Our custom, handmade molds are tailored to fit your vision, while CNC technology enables us to create precise, detailed molds for more intricate designs. CNC machining, often used with 3D printing, opens up even more possibilities for unique concrete work.

For clients needing mass production, we offer fiberglass molds—ideal for designers or furniture companies requiring high-quality, repeatable pieces.

Reason #3: Concrete is an Environmentally Sustainable Choice

Concrete’s appeal goes beyond aesthetics and innovation—it’s also a sustainable choice. At Chicago Concrete Studio, we prioritize using locally sourced materials, which reduces environmental impact and supports the local economy.

Concrete is also evolving toward greater sustainability, with innovations like carbon-neutral concrete. Researchers are replacing the limestone traditionally used in concrete with microalgae, making concrete “potentially carbon negative by pulling carbon dioxide from the atmosphere” (Newcomb, 2022). We stay ahead of these advancements and plan to incorporate carbon-neutral cement as it becomes more widely available.

Additionally, concrete is known for its long lifespan. With proper care, it can last up to 100 years (Arkin, 2023), reducing the need for frequent replacements. And when its life cycle ends, concrete can be recycled, making it a durable and environmentally friendly option.

Even better, sustainable concrete can still have a personal touch. For a recent project in Union Pier, Michigan, we incorporated locally sourced beach rocks into the design, making the concrete both sustainable and meaningful—a conversation piece with deep sentimental value. This level of customization is available for any project, adding a unique layer of personality to sustainability.

Reason #4: Concrete is Completely Customizable and Accessible

At Chicago Concrete Studio, we work closely with our clients to bring their ideas to life—from the initial concept to the final product. We’re also expanding our production capabilities, offering designers and furniture companies the option to create concrete products for residential and commercial spaces that can be produced in multiples.

As a local studio, we proudly serve clients in Chicago and the broader Midwest, including Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, and surrounding areas. We also ship nationally and internationally. This local accessibility ensures that we can provide personalized service and high-quality craftsmanship for every project, and our shipping capability gives us the ability to provide this service across the country and world.

Reason #5: Concrete Offers Practical Benefits

Beyond aesthetics and sustainability, concrete is an incredibly practical material. It’s durable, crack-resistant, and can withstand heavy use without chipping or scratching. For both residential and commercial spaces, concrete is an ideal choice. It can handle high temperatures, making it perfect for kitchen countertops and fireplaces.

In addition to its strength, concrete is easy to clean and maintain. A simple routine of mild soap and water is all that’s needed to keep it looking its best, without the need for special maintenance products.

Overall, concrete stands out as a durable, versatile, and sustainable material that can enhance any project, from elegant interiors to bold commercial designs. With its customizable features and practical benefits, it’s clear why concrete is an excellent choice for a wide range of applications.

At Chicago Concrete Studio, we’re proud to innovate and bring unique visions to life through concrete. If you’re ready to explore the possibilities, contact us today, and let’s start creating something exceptional for your next project.

Get Creative With CCS

Texture & Finish

We have 15 years of casting experience to create the exact texture/finish you want for your space and the desired aesthetic. We have a collection of our own standard finishes and we can also work with you to create a custom finish.

Match Any Color

We are the only concrete fabrication company who can formulate concrete mix to match the color wheels of Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams, Farrow Ball, and the full Pantone range. We can also match the color of an existing item in your space. Our color options are truly unlimited.

Unique Shapes & Fit

One of the biggest advantages of concrete is that it can be custom-molded as a single piece into any size and shape to fit your space. We have CNC capabilities for laser precision and we can come out for field measurement and installation.

Inlays

Incorporating metal, wood, or other inlays to your concrete slab is a unique way to add diversity and personalize your project. We have the technology to seamlessly cut and blend different materials together.

Terrazo & Exposed Aggregates

Ready to have some fun? Create your own terrazzo or exposed aggregate finish by mixing in any material you want. We can source hundreds of unique stones and aggregates, and customize the color matrix of the concrete to accompany those aggregates.

Unique Molds

We use 3D rendering and CNC capabilities to create unique cladding surfaces and textured panels for all types of concrete products. Create the special effect you want for your wall panels, sink, or furniture!

Edge Profile

We can cast concrete slabs into any edge profile and thickness you want, from fractured rock to a full bullnose.

Integrated Features

We can accommodate any integrated feature into your project whether it's for design or functionality. Embrace the flexibility of GFRC concrete to make a creative space that impresses your guests!

Cutouts & Signage

GFRC is a wonderful medium for customs signs, relief panels, and cutouts of intricate designs and shapes. Get creative with the signage for your business or residence!

Our Process

How to Get Started

Fill out our contact form, give us a call, or email us anytime. You can share preliminary info about your project such as photos, drawings, measurements, sketches on napkins, or any form of creativity that expresses what you want to make. Our studio is open 7 days a week by appointment only, and we love having guests drop in to discuss their project. We can also bring samples of our concrete to your home or business within Chicagoland.

Design & Quote

Custom concrete projects offer unlimited options for color, texture, shape, and creativity. Whether you are a DIY homeowner or professional designer/architect, we will be happy to walk you through the design process and provide a quote for your project. We have CNC capabilities, so DWG and DXF files are welcome!

Measurement & Digital Shop Drawing

For projects within 150 miles of Chicago, we will usually come out and measure using laser technology. Many projects don't require field measurement. Either way, we will work with you to get the accurate measurements we need. Usually within 3 days of receiving measurements, we will provide digital shop drawings for your project including layout, dimensions, seaming, color, and any other details.

Custom Fabrication

Everything we make is fabricated at our Blue Island studio using custom molds with CNC-routering and hand sculpting. We do not do any of our casting or finish work at your location. Our products leave our studio fully ready for installation. We typically complete smaller projects within 2-3 weeks and larger projects within 3-6 weeks, after we receive your approval of our digital shop drawings. We are known for our communication and flexibility to meet delivery deadlines!

Delivery/Installation or Shipping

For projects within 150 miles of Chicago, we offer delivery and installation. We also ship to all 50 states and can set up shipping or work with a shipper of your choice. Clients come to us from across the country because we can fabricate and ship with faster turnaround times and lower costs than typical shops.