Concrete Countertops - Hot Designs For Your Home

If you're unfamiliar with concrete countertops, you are probably feeling a small amused with the whole idea of having a sidewalk where your kitchen counter top or bathroom vanity should be.

I can assure you that this comical vision is far from the stylish, warm and natural look of this surface. Concrete countertops can be customized with unique colors, unusual shapes and specialty finishes not available with other surfaces.

Calphalon Contemporary Stainless Cookware Set

Truly a designing dream, concrete countertops are rapidly gaining popularity with restaurants, hotels and homeowners.

Colors

Virtually any color can be achieved with cement counter tops. Every fabricator of mixes their own recipe of sand, water and stone and practice color pigmentation can be added to the mix or stains can be applied in the later stages. Either way you get a unique color inequity to your accomplished countertop.

The singular coloring process results in hues that are warm and rich with earthy tones. Inspecting that the colors found in nature supply us with an fantastic spectrum from sandstone creams to deep reds and every shade in between, your option is approximately endless.

The most favorite colors are creams, grays and browns that are a natural complement to favorite decorating and develop materials like wood, stone, stainless steel and brick.

Design possibilities

As coloring pigments, stains, discrete aggregates, and epoxy coatings are added to the concrete mixture, your countertop may be created to look as if the look, texture, and feel of quarried stone such as marble, granite, and limestone.

Interesting objects such as shells, coins and glass tiles may be set into your counter top to improve any decorating theme or give added depth to you counter top surface. This is particularly useful to restaurants and hotels when creating a decor theme, but offers equally enticing develop possibilities for your home as well.

Like stone or other natural surfaces, concrete is not a static material and it will secure character over time.

Unlimited Shapes and Forms

If you desire a non-traditional shape, then concrete countertops without fail are the most versatile covering on the market. Your countertop can be as unique as your imagination. Molds can be individually shaped to perfectly suite any space or unusual location.

Curves, L-shapes and V-shapes are all available options when designing concrete countertops.

Trivets for hot pots and pans can be made and built-in sinks are favorite for both kitchen and bath.

Many edge styles are inherent so you're sure to find one you like, but each fabricator is a bit distinct so your choices will depend on your contractor.

Fabrication and Installation

As with coloring, each builder has their own method. They may pre-cast the counter top in a shop controlled environment, or generate it on location.

Concrete countertops are made with a mixture of cement, lightweight aggregates and additives such as silica, fume, pozzolan and acrylic fiber. Structural steel or wire mesh and/or fiberglass is used for reinforcement. Sometimes the concrete may be ground or polished to perform a finer, smoother finish.

The final step when installing your countertop is sealing the concrete. The type of sealer used varies so, consult with your installer.

Price

Concrete countertops range in price from -5 per square foot for materials, plus facility of in the middle of - per hour. facility is difficult and requires a high level of skill and experience to do properly. Hence, the steep price.

This might be far more than laminated surfaces, but concrete countertops offer more style and durableness than laminate.

Actually, the price of an installed concrete countertops may rival that of some high-priced granite or marble countertops with beauty to match.

Cleaning and Care

It is not recommended to use your concrete countertop as a cutting board or place hot pots and pans straight onto the surface. Concrete may be hard and durable, but your countertop must still be treated with permissible care.

Cleaning your concrete countertop is no distinct than cleaning your granite countertop. Hot water and a parasite will clean suitably. When more aggressive cleaning is required, neutrally balanced ph soaps are recommended. Grinder cleaners should be avoided.

Your concrete countertop should be waxed every three months for prolonged care and protection of the sealer.

Are Concrete Countertops Right For You?

Let's see:

Pro's:

Custom colors are available. The colors of wood, granite, marble and other durable alternatives are restricted to the material itself. Unique personalization is inherent by embedding objects into your countertop to add depth or generate a singular theme. Any shape or form may be fashioned with built-in sinks and drain boards. Concrete countertops can be installed without seams in many instances.
Con's

Concrete countertops are more porous than granite requiring sealing initially and waxing on a regular basis They are not heat or scratch proof Concrete countertops are more susceptible to cracks Expensive--often more than granite or marble

Concrete countertops certainly offer enthralling and approved develop possibilities not found with other surfaces and a few trade-offs as usual. However, with pro facility and permissible care you can be unavoidable your concrete countertops will supply you with years of fashionable and functional satisfaction.

Concrete Countertops - Hot Designs For Your Home