The Value of Concrete Countertops

From top-dollar houses within the San Francisco Bay Location to sprawling mountain homes within the Colorado Rockies, discriminating homeowners are demanding custom styles and finishes in their kitchens. In unique, they may be seeking to express their individuality and distinct design preferences using the fast-growing design and style material of decision concrete. Actually, concrete countertops have turn into somewhat of a status symbol for kitchens, rivaling granite as well as other higher end countertop surface selections. Consumer Reports Magazine (August 2004) ranked concrete highest for its "customization" and "exclusivity" among high-end kitchen countertops.

As a custom product, the period of time and craftsmanship needed to create concrete countertops areas them as the most labor-intensive and priciest amongst leading countertop materials. Having said that, concrete countertops are becoming more accessible for all those on a modest budget. The latest do-it-yourself (DIY) trend to captivate property owners and builders is creating your personal concrete countertop. This phenomenon has gained popularity largely on account of Cheng's best-selling book Concrete Countertops: Design and style, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). In line with Cheng, there is certainly small monetary investment in producing concrete countertops, yet the creative gains of working with concrete are plentiful.

Plus, the selections for personalizing concrete countertops are endless: one particular can color, polish, stamp and stain concrete or imbed personal objects like stones, seashells and fossils in to the countertop's surface, adding sentiment and character. Functional options like drain boards, soap dishes, and trivets may also be incorporated to suit the homeowners' personal requirements and lifestyle. Concrete is slowly becoming demystified as characteristically cold and industrial. In contrary, this age-old material is warm and surprisingly tactile; people can not aid but touch their smooth, polished surfaces. Real estate agent Joy Rasmussen, who has lately sold her mountain residence -- a short-term investment home in Steamboat Springs, CO -- recounts her visitors' experiences with concrete: "When I had open houses, visitors gravitated for the concrete countertops quite a few people today around right here have never noticed them".

They constructed pour-in-place concrete counters for the home's kitchen and 3 bathrooms by utilizing Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand-colored concrete countertops have been polished smooth, then paired with natural slate of varying colors -- like charcoal, rust and gold tones -- that types the backsplashes within the kitchen and baths. As a design accent, smaller rectangular slate tiles have been added towards the rim in the bathroom sinks, which offered a unique detail for the custom vanities.

When Joy and Ken decided to sell their house, their investment in concrete countertops proved its worth. "We were capable to list the residence $20,000 over marketplace value, and had no problems promoting it," comments Joy, though discussing the long list of upgrades all through their house, such as knotty pine strong doors, all-natural slate wall accents and hardwood floors. "The concrete countertops have been conveniently essentially the most distinctive and impressive of all of the finishes. I believe they were a huge component in adding value towards the residence. About here, all you see in houses are granite countertops --and I really think homebuyers are finding pretty numb with granite."

For More Information, Visits: http://www.onlyconcretecountertops.com