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Few kitchen area counter top products are trendier at the moment than high-end concrete. Rock solid and hard as granite or slate, concrete can be a better fit in contemporary kitchen designs than any of those natural stones considering that it exhibits a contemporary industrial aesthetic. Adding to the mystique is the fact that concrete can now be etched, acid-stained, stamped, and sealed to create a countertop surface area that differs from practically any other readily available product. Modern concrete kitchen area countertops are no longer cold pieces of gray concrete (unless you desire that)-- regularly, they are warm and gleaming surface areas that are utterly practical and likewise remarkably trendy.
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Couple of cooking area countertop materials are trendier at the moment than high-end concrete. Rock solid and hard as granite or slate, concrete can be a better fit in contemporary kitchen styles than any of those natural stones given that it exhibits a modern-day industrial visual. Adding to the mystique is the truth that concrete can now be engraved, acid-stained, stamped, and sealed to develop a counter top surface area that differs from practically any other readily available material. Modern concrete kitchen countertops are no longer cold slabs of gray concrete (unless you want that)-- more often, they are warm and gleaming surfaces that are entirely functional and also incredibly stylish. Installation of Concrete Countertops Concrete countertops might appear like massive slabs, however in reality, they are generally just 1 1/2 to 2 inches thick. The impression that they are much thicker slabs is normally the result of a drop-front edging on the counter top. Still, these are very heavy countertops, weighing 19 to 25 pounds per square foot. Installers often require to strengthen cabinets and in some cases even the floorings in order to bear the considerable weight. While concrete countertops are sometimes formed and put on-site, more often they are made in stores after a technician takes precise measurements of your kitchen area area and talks about all finish choices with you. In the shop, forms are built and the counter top is poured, complete with whatever sink cutouts, coloration, or ingredients are asked for. During fabrication, the counter top slabs are normally reinforced with fiber or metal mesh of some type to give them strength and rigidness. After fabrication, the counter top is permitted to cure totally, and the surface might be ground and polished to whatever end up the customer has a requested. Some sort of sealer is used, typically an extremely tough epoxy. As soon as curing and ending up is complete, a setup crew carefully delivers the countertop to the work site and installs it. As part of the setup, the crew may construct or set up assistance frames for sinks, because it is essential that the counter top itself not bring the weight of the sink. If the sink is an under-mount design, it is embeded in location initially, then the countertop is installed over it. The countertop is usually stuck to the cabinets with construction adhesives after being thoroughly leveled and shimmed. Advantages and Disadvantages of Concrete Countertops Concrete countertops have lots of virtues, especially its ability to be shaped and formed to precisely match your kitchen dimensions and completed specifically to your taste. With other countertop products, you are frequently limited to whatever colors and styles are offered, however concrete deals you a larger range of alternatives. Only ceramic tile comes close to offering a similar series of options. On the other hand, if you are conditioned to think about concrete as a practical building product used for slabs and structures, you may picture that concrete counter tops are cheap and easy to install. Absolutely nothing could be further from the reality. Concrete is a high-end, premium material when utilized in cooking area countertops, and making them requires a lot of ability and experience. These are amongst the more expensive of all countertop products. Pros They can be custom-sized and formed to any cooking area setup. Concrete does not scratch and is impervious to heat. Materials such as glass fragments, stones, shells, and fiber-optic lights can be embedded.
Concrete produce a very durable and lasting surface area. The surface is simple clean-up and maintain, supply routine sealing is done. Concrete countertops typically improve realty worth as a "premium" product. Cons They are expensive, costing as much as $150 per square foot. Annual sealing is needed to prevent staining. Their weight can strain cabinet frames and floorings. Repairs are almost difficult, and cracking sometimes does happen. Upkeep Presuming the counter top has actually been sealed at first with a good-quality epoxy sealer, continuous maintenance requires just the application of a good water-based wax sealer every 9 to 12 months. Yearly sealing will ensure the surface area resists staining and will reduce the chances of a concrete best countertops for honey oak cabinets countertop splitting over time.