The Value of Concrete Countertops: Personalization Increases Aesthetic Allure and also Property Financial Investment for

1. From top-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay Area to sprawling mountain houses in the Colorado Rockies, discriminating home owners are requiring custom-made designs and also coatings in their cooking areas. Particularly, they are looking to reveal their uniqueness as well as unique design preferences with the rapid growing style material of selection-- concrete. As a matter of fact, concrete kitchen counters have actually become somewhat of a standing icon for kitchen areas, matching granite and also various other high-end kitchen counter surface area options. Consumer News Magazine (August 2004) ranked concrete highest possible for its "customization" and also "exclusivity" amongst high-end cooking area countertops. As a custom product, the amount of time and workmanship called for to produce concrete countertops puts them as the most labor-intensive and most expensive among leading countertop products. Nevertheless, concrete countertops are ending up being extra available for those on a moderate budget plan. The current diy (DIY) trend to captivate property owners and also building contractors is constructing your own concrete countertop. This sensation has gotten popularity largely as a result of Cheng's very successful book Concrete Countertops: Style, Types, and Completes for the New Kitchen and Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little monetary financial investment in making concrete kitchen counters, yet the innovative gains of dealing with concrete are plentiful. THE SHOWSTOPPER Significantly, house owners are relocating away from the monotonous, manufactured appearance of conventional kitchen counter surfaces as well as choosing concrete for its natural, timeless appeal. And also, the options for individualizing concrete countertops are limitless: one can tint, polish, stamp and also stain concrete or imbed personal objects like rocks, seashells and fossils into the countertops look like concrete counter top's surface, adding belief and also personality. Functional attributes such as drain boards, soap dishes, and also trivets can also be integrated to fit the homeowners' very own needs and also way of living. Concrete is gradually ending up being debunked as typically chilly and also commercial. In contrary, this age-old product is cozy and surprisingly tactile; individuals can not help but touch their smooth, polished surfaces. Realty representative Delight Rasmussen, that has actually recently marketed her mountain house-- a short-term financial investment building in Steamboat Springs, CO-- states her visitors' experiences with concrete: "When I had open houses, site visitors moved to the concrete kitchen counters-- lots of people around below have never ever seen them". Happiness's 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was custom develop by her hubby, Ken Otterman, together with KJ Otterman, president of Classic Special Custom-made Residences. They developed pour-in-place concrete counters for the home's kitchen area as well as 3 restrooms by using Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand- colored concrete counter tops were brightened smooth, then coupled with natural slate of varying shades-- like charcoal, rust as well as gold tones-- that develops the backsplashes in the cooking area as well as baths. As a layout accent, small rectangle-shaped slate tiles were included in the edge of the restroom sinks, which gave a distinct information to the personalized vanities. When Happiness and also Ken made a decision to market their house, their investment in concrete kitchen counters confirmed its worth. "We were able to list your house $20,000 over market price, as well as had no worry offering it," remarks Pleasure, while going over the lengthy listing of upgrades throughout their house, including knotty want strong doors, all-natural slate wall accents and wood floorings. "The concrete countertops were easily the most special and also excellent of all the surfaces. I think they were a big part in including worth to the residence. Around here, all you see in houses are granite counter tops-- and I actually think homebuyers are obtaining quite numb with granite."

2. " Concrete kitchen counters are an unique offering to property buyers that see the exact same coatings made use of in home after residence they see," explains Joy, supplying her observation as an experienced realtor. "Having concrete counter tops almost offers you bragging legal rights-- you have something different from your neighbors." BREAKING THE MOLD An additional advantage of concrete is its versatility in either modern-day or standard setups, specifically when coupled with other materials like diverse metals, wood or stone. "Concrete includes many [opportunities] to rock, as well as the mix with slate, which is extremely prominent right here, offers the hill houses an overall warm, natural touch," states Happiness. Joy and also Ken have because constructed a much larger house (4,000 sq. ft.) that offers large views of the Boat Ski Hotel as well as is indicated to work as a long-term financial investment for the couple. They've additionally broadened their listing of custom-made coatings, consisting of hand-troweled wall surfaces, sophisticated oil- rubbed bronze equipment, knotty pine doors that curve at the top, closets in an all-natural, knotty alder, and also their favored-- concrete kitchen area countertops. Unlike in their previous residence, KJ and also his specialty crew put charcoal-colored counter tops utilizing the pre-cast approach in the incomplete cellar of the new home. Before pouring the concrete, they sprayed an array of semi-precious rocks in the mold including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Turquoise. After the surface area was ground and gently brightened, the completed result was a remarkable blend of colors, "Without a doubt, the Mother-of-Pearl was one of the most amazing," claims Joy. The L-shaped concrete kitchen counter has a rough, rustic rock look, enhancing its rugged nation surroundings. An important drainpipe board as well as trivets supplies feature as well as included passion to the concrete counter top. Natural slate backsplashes, distinct wall surface accents, and also a butcher block counter top at the kitchen area island all resonate with the standard warmth as well as earthiness of the concrete kitchen counters. Delight and also Ken's respective histories in realty and custom homebuilding, and also as investment property buyers, have actually helped them recognize that concrete kitchen counters can include tremendous aesthetic and monetary value to a house. Concrete's customization as well as "show-stopping" appeal is like no other countertop surface. Cheng is a supporter of emotional aesthetics as well as developing homes that catch these feelings, as in the case of Happiness and Ken Otterman. Cheng wraps up: "People actually desire differentiation, something individual, something personalized-- and concrete can do that for them."