CTX BasicQuarz® 712B Wet Concrete

The 712B Wet Concrete variant. Wet Concrete is the most expressive exposed-concrete selection of the CTX BasicQuarz family. The base tone is a deep, slightly cool anthracite – not pure black, but a characterful dark grey tone with a subtle shimmer. Distributed across the ground are light, almost silvery-white sweep and cloud structures, run through with darker areas that look like wet-gleaming, washed exposed concrete with mineral residues. The composition is deliberately dramatic – unlike smoothly honed architectural concrete, Wet Concrete quotes a freshly struck industrial floor sprayed with water, its mineral film made visible. From a medium distance the slab reads as a powerful, raw exposed-concrete statement; at close range the fine modulation of the tonal values and the light sweep traces become visible.

Format and fabrication. Civet usually supplies the BasicQuarz slabs in a large format of around 305 × 144 cm or 320 × 160 cm in the standard thicknesses of 2 and 3 cm; individual lines also in 1.2 cm and 1.5 cm for lightweight wall claddings. The slabs can be cut, profiled, calibrated, drilled and edge-worked with diamond tooling like a dense engineered stone. Standard edges are square, chamfered (V-chamfer, 45°), rounded (R3, R5) and executed profile edges such as bullnose, half-round or a mitred edge joint for 90° corner connections. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down.

Thermal and chemical properties. Engineered quartz is considerably more acid-resistant than marble, because the quartz aggregates are themselves inert to acid and the polyester makes up only a small volume fraction. Even so, the following applies: highly concentrated acids (hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric acid) and aggressive industrial chemicals attack the binder. Heat resistance goes beyond that of the marble agglomerates – brief heat up to about 150 °C is tolerated – but hot pots, frying pans or baking trays should never be set down directly on the surface. Direct UV exposure is a weak point of all polyester-based materials – Wet Concrete is clearly conceived as an interior material and should not be installed in fully sunlit conservatories or open loggias.

The ROSSITTIS range. The surface finishes available in stock are listed in the »Finishes« block further down. From these we fabricate kitchen worktops (standard and island), washbasin tops, wall claddings (including kitchen splashbacks and bathroom walls), bar counters, reception desks, buffet and furniture tops, interior stairs with treads and risers as well as window sills. The powerful exposed-concrete appearance comes into its own most strongly as an island or bar counter element, set against light cabinet fronts or white wall paints; combined with brass, bronze, Corten steel, oiled wood or black sanitary fittings, the result is the typical industrial premium look.

Comparison. Within the CTX BasicQuarz family, Wet Concrete is the most expressive exposed-concrete selection. Stylistically related within the CTX range is the somewhat lighter, more material variant 0720 Cement, which shows a warmer cement-render character. Against Caesarstone 4033 Rugged Concrete, Wet Concrete moves within the same design spectrum, but is considerably darker and with more pronounced light sweep traces. Against real exposed concrete, the slab remains calculable, ready to install immediately, can be made considerably thinner and has no carbonation or drying phase. Against the CTX BasicAgglo marble agglomerates (marble chippings with polyester resin), acid and scratch resistance are considerably higher – Wet Concrete is the right choice for the actual kitchen working surface, a BasicAgglo more for walls, window sills or stairs. Against porcelain with a dark concrete décor (Laminam, Florim), the slab remains warmer to the touch and less brittle, but is thermally and chemically somewhat less resilient overall and more sensitive under UV radiation.

Our honest assessment. 712B Wet Concrete is a statement slab for clients and architects who want the full, strongly characterful exposed-concrete impression – with dramatic sweep and wash traces on a dark ground, without becoming entangled in the structural realities of real concrete. The powerful appearance comes into its own most strongly as an island or bar counter element. Anyone looking for a calmer, more even mid-grey concrete character is better served by other CTX selections or by Caesarstone 4003 Sleek Concrete.