Concrete Countertops: The New Shape of Style In Home Design

Concrete is nothing new in home design. It's been serving as driveways, patios and pool surrounds for decades. But today concrete countertops are debuting on the inside of many homes with creative, elegant and whimsical new designs not possible with any other surface.



Concrete countertops are gracing the pages of magazines and starring in home improvement shows following and fueling a rise in popularity of this versatile surface. Cement has one unique advantage over other countertop materials in that it can be custom molded into virtually any shape, size or design you want.



It can be stained in a rainbow of colors. It can also be dyed, tinted, stamped and have unique designs acid-etched into its surface. Also, you can embed fun objects, momentos or even lights to make a personalized piece of functional art! Imagination seems to be the only limitation. Some even looks like wood. By sawing lines in the concrete, you can make it look like tile. And you can incorporate a sink of any size with a custom drain board or any other design feature you care to create.



Just like tile and every other surface, concrete countertops do need some maintenance. Although a durable countertop, concrete needs to be sealed initially and waxed periodically to resist staining and moisture. It can be washed, polished and buffed to maintain its shine and it cleans up easily with soap and water or mild cleaners.



Cutting is not recommended or it will scratch, but you should use a cutting board with any surface. Concrete is heat resistant and stains aren't much a problem if you seal and wax as recommended by your installer.



Designers consider cement countertops to be kind of a specialty item with a very contemporary look... that is one of the drawbacks with many homeowners. True, it is very distinctive, yet it can be made to blend well with a variety of designs and decoration themes.



Another possible criticism is that colors cannot be exactly matched to say... a paint color. You can get close, but the finished color may be slightly different. Also, concrete countertop colors will get lighter a few weeks after installation and tend to yellow over time.



Concrete countertops need to be installed by someone who knows what they are doing. In fact, the majority of the cost of concrete countertops comes from the skill and labor required to install. Expect to pay about as much as granite and possibly more depending on how complex your design is.



Other countertops may be better all-around surfaces, but concrete countertops are still durable and no other surface can offer the creative freedom available with concrete. So, if you really want to do something different with your design, explore the unique qualities of concrete.

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Concrete Countertops Offer Durable Beauty

Concrete isn't just for structural building. It's the stuff counter tops are made of. Concrete counter tops, in fact, are sweeping the kitchen design industry with their beauty and versatility.

Thanks to the properties of concrete, this building material can be worked and molding into almost any shape, size and design. The benefits of concrete counter tops are many, but rest assured, they are not gleaned by compromising beauty. Those who have these counter tops find they are almost impossible to differentiate from other hard surface materials favored by kitchen designers.

There are a few basic looks that concrete counter tops can take on thanks to the use of different colorings, aggregates and coatings. These include:

Marbleized: Using different pigments and creation techniques, master counter top makers can take concrete and make it virtually indistinguishable from a slab of marble. The beauty is sealed in.

Trowel: Offering a rougher surface than most counters, this design is one that many adore for its unusual beauty.

Terrazzo: By adding glass or marble into the mix, concrete counter tops can take on a variety of different looks in terrazzo. This can add an extra dimension of beauty to the countertops.

In addition to having a variety of appearances, these counter tops do have some ups and downs. They are, overall, quite comparable with other single sheet designs. Things buyers should know about concrete tops include:

* Sealer. Concrete counter tops must be sealed to ensure staining and other damage are avoided. When a sealer is well applied, the counter tops can resist all sorts of problems. Despite this, there are things that can compromise the sealer, so it's important to make sure the job is done correctly and it's protected from damage. The rules associated with concrete care aren't much different than most regular counter tops come with even most of the "high-end" designs.

* Cutting issues. While some counter tops are meant to be cut on directly, concrete is not one such creation. While the concrete can handle direct cutting, the sealer cannot. When cutting is done directly on the surface, it impacts the sealer, which could lead to stain problems down the road.

* Heat issues. Again, concrete itself can take the punishment, but the sealer might not. With this in mind, it's recommended that hot pans and bowls not be placed directly on the counter tops. Just like working with Corian or other similar counter tops direct heat is worth avoiding to protect the beauty of the counter tops.

Offering a remarkable beauty, concrete counter tops are amazing to behold. It's very difficult for anyone who doesn't know what they're made of to tell by appearance. When crafted by masters, the designs can be simply fantastic.

Although concrete is well known for its building properties, the fact is this material isn't just for under surfaces anymore. Concrete counter tops are taking the kitchen industry by storm. Known for their durability and beauty, these counter tops are comparable in looks to some of the top designer choices, such as granite, quartz and beyond.

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Countertops, Overlay or Resurfacing, Do It Yourself

Laminate counter tops can be resurfaced to look like Marble, Granite, Glass, Copper and Bronze in two days. View Kitchen Counters video and also enjoy free newsletter perks and training.



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