It can be tricky to select the right countertop for your kitchen. You want to balance practicality, beauty and budget – but you’re probably buried in the variety of options out there. We decided to simplify things and break it down into the most common pros and cons of each material. Read on to discover the best countertops for your kitchen.
The Pros and Cons of Concrete Countertops
When choosing a new countertop for your kitchen, weigh up the pros and cons of concrete. This type of countertop is very popular today, mainly because it’s customizable, stylish, strong and durable.Every product on the market has pros and cons, so let’s look closer.
A Concrete Countertop Can Be Stylish
Maybe the biggest negative idea people might have when they first think about a concrete countertop for their kitchen is that it would be gray and ugly. But it can look unique and amazing. Color options are almost unlimited. Staining techniques can convince people you have a gorgeous and one-of-a-kind piece of granite or marble in your kitchen. You can either match your existing motifs, furniture or appliances, or else create a standout feature.
Aside from the color, concrete countertops can also be given all kinds of shapes and textures. You could have one shaped like anything: a guitar, a boat, a sail, you name it. Or your concrete countertop could be embedded with tiles, stones or shells. It could even be a mosaic depicting a scene or image.
Concrete can also be less costly than marble or granite.
The Concrete Countertop Can Be Everything in One
There’s no need to buy a sink with drainboard. In fact, there’s no need for separate counter pieces to be cut and joined, either. A concrete countertop can include everything in one seamless piece. Therefore you won’t have to apply plumber’s putty or silicone around the sink. A backsplash may be able to be incorporated into the unit, also.
For other areas of the kitchen, concrete can be your all-purpose surface for everything from food preparation to party presentation to general workspace.
Concrete is Tough and Can Be Environmentally Friendly
Concrete can take the punishment of time and use better than other materials. It weathers and wears over time without major deterioration. A good company that makes concrete countertops will use only non-toxic materials sourced ethically and with minimal environmental impact.
The Cons of Concrete Countertops: Weight and Maintenance
Like we said, all products have cons as well as pros. The most practical thing to consider with a concrete countertop is how heavy it is. While weight can provide stability and strength, your home and your kitchen must be able to support it. An experienced contractor will know how to check if your home is up to the task.
A concrete countertop also requires consistent maintenance. First, it needs a good sealant to protect it from stains. Then it needs resealing every couple of years. If this is not taken care of, any stain can become permanent. Most sealants can handle hot things being placed on them, but it’s best to play it safe and use pads and boards for hot plates and pots.
Look around at what is happening with concrete countertops today and the options open to you. Concrete may surprise you and could be an option that is very different than what you first thought.
Greg Nelson is the owner of Nelson Construction & Renovations Inc. He is a Florida State Certified Building Contractor, creating artistry in all areas of design and construction projects. He is a musician, and artist. A husband and father, Greg appreciates all the wonderful elements of family life.
Creative Commons Attribution: Permission is granted to repost this article in its entirety with credit to Nelson Construction and a clickable link back to this page.
The Beauty of Concrete Continuous Countertops
When doing kitchen renovations, there are a number of ways to give your kitchen a makeover without having to do very big renovations.
For instance, remodeling with concrete countertops can easily give a facelift that may also bring space-saving benefits.
Going for the concrete look
Some people opt to remodel their countertops by changing the material that has been used. This is a good approach not only when you are looking to change the look of your countertop, it can also lengthen the countertop’s lifespan.
This is why concrete countertops are a good choice. Apart from the elegant finish they bring to your kitchen, concrete countertops are very durable and can weather any blows, spills or messes coming from kitchen projects and preparations.
The all-in-one concrete countertops
Aside from choosing a different look with your countertops, another option when remodeling your kitchen is the all-in-oneRead More »
Timeless Materials for Contemporary Kitchen and Bathroom Countertops
Are you thinking of renovating your kitchen, your bathroom, or maybe even both? Here’s some great info on countertop materials to help you narrow down your choices and make the right decisions for terrific looks and practicality that work in either of those all-important rooms.
Popular Countertops for Kitchens and Bathrooms
1. Quartz – Quartz has become one of the most popular materials for making countertops because it can stand up to the wear and tear of food preparation, along with its associated spills and variations in temperature. It works equally well in the bathroom, as it can tolerate a reasonable amount of scrubbing.
Quartz countertops are synthetic, made of 90-95% ground quartz and a 5-10% combination of polymers, resins and pigments. This combination formsRead More »
Concrete is an Eco-Friendly Building Material
Just because you want attractive and functional features in your home or commercial space, doesn’t mean you have to take the environment for granted. There is already enough building and construction material around that isn’t super friendly to Mother Earth, so why add to the problem? When you embark on plans for your residential or commercial design build or renovation project, it’s a responsible move to keep eco-friendly practices in mind.
Ideal for countertops, backsplashes and sophisticated and elegantpolished floors, concrete won’t let you down in any setting. Most green-minded construction companies also utilize other eco-friendly methods and solutions with concrete, including water-based sealers and metal-free pigments, for example, to ensure that the entire process is safe.
Concrete Plays up Your Personality
When planning for your dream kitchen or bathroom, seriously consider choosing concrete countertops instead of those made fromRead More »
Concrete Countertops: Terrific for Bathrooms, Too!
Concrete countertops are becoming more and more popular in the home improvement industry. And with good reason: concrete material is highly functional, attractive, versatile and completely customizable. All pluses in the kitchen, for sure, but many homeowners are also now discovering the benefits of concrete countertops when it comes to bathroom remodeling, too.
Why Use Concrete Countertops for Your Bathroom?
- Versatility – Concrete is a tremendously versatile material that lends itself especially well to the bathroom environment. The countertop is precast in molds so that it fits to the customer’s exact requirements and specifications, making it perfectly seamless and truly one-of-a-kind.
- Flying colors and finishes – Custom concrete countertops enhance any bathroom remodeling project to a tee; they can be made to order in a huge array of colors, combining flawlessly with all other bathroom design features and fixtures. When professionally polished, these countertops provideRead More »
Pretty and Practical: The Pluses of Concrete Countertops
Whether remodeling or building a home from scratch, finding just the right materials for every room is essential. This is especially true when it comes to something like countertops, where you want to marry form and purpose. In addition to being fantastically functional, you’d like your countertops to have real esthetic appeal, as well. Have you considered concrete as the ideal countertop material?
Concrete is Decidedly Different
Concrete is surprisingly versatile and works beautifully for kitchen and bathroom counters and backsplashes, desks, bar tops and much more. A totally customizable material, custom concrete provides the exact design features and dimensions you want for any application in your home. When it comes to concrete countertops, myriad colors and looks are yours to choose from, including:
- Marble or granite look
- Aged, vintage-wood look
- Stainless-steel look
- Curved or straight edge
Concrete Countertops: the Practical Advantages
- Durable duty – No matter where they are, household counters usually take a beating. Concrete is a strong material that canRead More »
3 Reasons to Choose a Concrete Countertop
Looking for information about concrete countertops? You must be getting ready to make the ideas for your dream home a reality? With the major floor plan and other layout details well in hand, now you can enjoy choosing the materials you like best for flooring and other finishes and fixtures. Here’s a chance to check your assumptions about what’s great for the kitchen.
Maybe you’re a real foodie and wannabe chef. At any rate, we all spend a good part of every day in the kitchen, so why not make it truly your own when choosing materials? Countertops will be high on the list. Naturally, marble and granite are bound to come to mind—but if you’ve never considered concrete for countertops, read on to discover why it’s both super good looking and supremely functional, too.
3 Great Reasons for a Concrete Countertop:
First: a concrete countertop is versatile. This is because concrete countertops are individually made by artisans and not simply mass produced. This may also be the reason why there are endless possibilities when going with a custom-made concrete countertop. You can have some real fun and even use concrete to create a marble-looking surface.
Unlike other natural stones, concrete can be moulded to form beautiful angles and curves. Aside from adding beauty to your home, concrete countertops can make the kitchenRead More »
Why are Concrete Countertops a Cut Above the Rest?
When it comes to designing a kitchen, some people leave it up to what the contractors suggest. We have many ideas about how we want our kitchen to look and feel. But we often side with the usual things that we see in other people’s kitchens: the cupboards, the center aisle, the sink and appliances, and especially—the style and material of the countertops.
Have you ever wanted a kitchen that stands out from the rest? Would you like your kitchen to have a wow effect on your visitors? Let’s step away from the usual and make it happen!
For an ultra luxurious and unique look, consider concrete countertops instead of from typical choices like granite and marble. So far, concrete countertops have been favored by a minority—they’re a terrific but less familiar choice. More people are discovering, however, that concrete countertops provide the same strength, durability and elegance that marbles and granite’s do, and at a lower cost. Another huge advantageRead More »
Concrete Countertop Revolution
If you want to truly express your own personality, look into concrete countertops for your bathroom or kitchen; outdoors; anywhere you need a space to set things on. In this world of unique interior design, you can set your home or office apart with custom made concrete countertop.
Concrete Countertop Color
Pick up your interior design colors with concrete, or make your home, office or retail store look uber-modern with an industrial gray tone. You can mix colors or embed items in the concrete for a truly one-of-a-kind look that is exclusively yours. Designing your own embedded concrete countertop can give you an incomparableRead More »
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