The Value of Concrete Countertops: Modification Increases Aesthetic Allure as well as Property Financial Investment for

1. From top-dollar residences in the San Francisco Bay Location to sprawling hill homes in the Colorado Mountain ranges, differentiating homeowners are requiring custom layouts as well as finishes in their kitchens. Particularly, they are looking to reveal their originality as well as distinct layout choices with the fast expanding layout product of selection-- concrete. As a matter of fact, concrete countertops have ended up being somewhat of a condition icon for cooking areas, matching granite as well as various other high-end counter top surface area choices. Consumer Reports Publication (August 2004) placed concrete highest possible for its "personalization" and also "exclusivity" amongst premium kitchen area counter tops. As a customized item, the amount of time and also craftsmanship required to create concrete counter tops places them as one of the most labor-intensive as well as most costly among leading countertop materials. Nevertheless, concrete countertops are ending up being a lot more easily accessible for those on a modest budget. The most recent do-it-yourself (DIY) fad to captivate home owners as well as home builders is building your very own concrete countertop. This sensation has gained popularity mainly due to Cheng's very successful publication Concrete Countertops: Layout, Kinds, and also Completes for the New Kitchen Area as well as Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little financial investment in making concrete counter tops, yet the innovative gains of collaborating with concrete abound. THE SHOWSTOPPER Progressively, homeowners are relocating far from the dull, manufactured look of typical counter top surfaces as well as selecting concrete for its natural, ageless allure. Plus, the options for individualizing concrete kitchen counters are endless: one can tint, gloss, stamp and discolor concrete or imbed individual things like rocks, seashells as well as fossils into the countertop's surface, adding view and also character. Functional attributes such as drain boards, soap recipes, and also trivets can additionally be incorporated to suit the house owners' own needs and also way of living. Concrete is gradually becoming demystified as characteristically cool and industrial. In contrary, this old-time material is cozy and remarkably tactile; people can not aid however touch their smooth, polished surfaces. Property representative Delight Rasmussen, that has lately sold her hill house-- a temporary financial investment residential property in Steamboat Springs, Carbon Monoxide-- recounts corian countertops versus granite her site visitors' experiences with concrete: "When I had open residences, visitors moved to the concrete kitchen counters- - lots of people around right here have actually never seen them". Pleasure's 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was custom-made construct by her other half, Ken Otterman, along with KJ Otterman, head of state of Standard Unique Customized Residences. They developed pour-in-place concrete counters for the home's cooking area as well as 3 washrooms by utilizing Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand-colored concrete countertops were brightened smooth, then coupled with all-natural slate of varying

2. colors-- like charcoal, corrosion as well as gold tones-- that forms the backsplashes in the cooking area and baths. As a layout accent, little rectangular slate floor tiles were contributed to the rim of the shower room sinks, which offered an one-of-a-kind information to the custom-made vanities. When Joy and Ken chose to market their house, their investment in concrete kitchen counters verified its worth. "We were able to list the house $20,000 over market price, as well as had no worry marketing it," remarks Happiness, while talking about the lengthy checklist of upgrades throughout their residence, consisting of knotty want solid doors, all-natural slate wall surface accents as well as wood floors. "The concrete kitchen counters were quickly one of the most one-of-a-kind as well as excellent of all the surfaces. I believe they were a substantial part in adding value to the residence. Around right here, all you see in residences are granite countertops-- and I really assume property buyers are getting fairly numb with granite." " Concrete counter tops are a distinct offering to property buyers who see the exact same coatings utilized in residence after home they check out," clarifies Delight, using her monitoring as a skilled realtor. "Having concrete countertops almost gives you bragging rights-- you have something different from your neighbors." DAMAGING THE MOLD Another benefit of concrete is its adaptability in either modern or standard setups, especially when coupled with other products like varied metals, wood or stone. "Concrete includes numerous [opportunities] to rock, as well as the combination with slate, which is extremely popular here, provides the mountain homes a general warm, all- natural touch," states Delight. Joy and Ken have because built a much larger house (4,000 sq. ft.) that supplies large sights of the Steamboat Ski Resort as well as is indicated to act as a lasting financial investment for the couple. They've likewise expanded their checklist of customized coatings, including hand-troweled wall surfaces, stylish oil-rubbed bronze equipment, knotty yearn doors that curve on top, cabinets in an all-natural, knotty alder, as well as their favorite-- concrete kitchen countertops. Unlike in their previous residence, KJ as well as his specialized crew poured charcoal-colored counter tops utilizing the pre-cast method in the incomplete cellar of the new house. Before putting the concrete, they sprinkled a variety of semi-precious rocks in the mold including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and also Turquoise. After the surface was ground as well as gently brightened, the completed result was an impressive mix of shades, "By far, the Mother-of-Pearl was one of the most extraordinary," claims Pleasure. The L-shaped concrete kitchen counter has a harsh, rustic stone appearance, matching its sturdy nation surroundings. An indispensable drain board as well as trivets provides function as well as included rate of interest to the concrete countertop. All-natural slate backsplashes, unique wall surface accents, as well as a butcher block countertop at the kitchen area island all reverberate with the conventional warmth and earthiness of the concrete countertops. Joy as well as Ken's particular histories in realty and also customized homebuilding, and also as financial investment homebuyers, have actually aided them recognize that concrete countertops can include remarkable aesthetic as well as economic worth to a home. Concrete's customization and also "show-stopping" allure is like nothing else countertop surface area. Cheng is a proponent of psychological looks and also developing houses that capture these emotions, as when it comes to Happiness as well as Ken Otterman. Cheng wraps up: "People really want differentiation, something individual, something custom-made-- as well as concrete can do that for them."