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

1. From top-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay Area to stretching hill houses in the Colorado Rockies, discriminating homeowners are demanding customized styles as well as surfaces in their kitchens. In particular, they are seeking to share their uniqueness and also distinct layout preferences with the quick growing design material of selection-- concrete. As a matter of fact, concrete counter tops have come to be somewhat of a status symbol for kitchen areas, rivaling granite as well as other high-end countertop surface alternatives. Consumer Information Publication (August 2004) placed concrete highest for its "customization" and also "exclusivity" among premium kitchen countertops. As a personalized product, the quantity of time and also workmanship needed to produce concrete counter tops positions them as one of the most labor-intensive and also priciest among leading countertop products. Nevertheless, concrete countertops are becoming a lot more available for those on a small spending plan. The most up to date do-it-yourself (DIY) trend to mesmerize homeowners as well as home builders is developing your very own concrete kitchen counter. This sensation has gotten appeal mostly as a result of Cheng's very popular publication Concrete Countertops: Style, Forms, as well as Finishes for the New Kitchen as well as Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little financial financial investment in making concrete counter tops, yet the creative gains of collaborating with concrete abound. THE SHOWSTOPPER Progressively, home owners are moving far from the boring, manufactured look of traditional countertop surface areas and choosing concrete for its earthy, ageless charm. And also, the alternatives for individualizing concrete kitchen counters are endless: one can color, polish, stamp and tarnish concrete or imbed personal things like rocks, seashells and also fossils into the counter top's surface area, adding sentiment as well as character. Practical features such as drain boards, soap recipes, and also trivets can likewise be integrated to match the home owners' very own requirements and way of living. Concrete is slowly ending up being debunked as classically cool and commercial. In contrary, this olden material is warm and remarkably responsive; individuals can not aid however touch their smooth, sleek surfaces. Property representative Delight Rasmussen, that has actually just recently sold her mountain residence-- a temporary financial investment home in Boat Springs, CO-- states her visitors' experiences with concrete: "When I had open homes, site visitors moved to the concrete countertops-- many people around here have actually never ever seen them". Joy's 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was personalized construct by her other half, Ken Otterman, together with KJ Otterman, president of Classic Unique Customized Houses. They developed pour-in-place concrete counters for the home's cooking area and 3 washrooms by using Concrete Countertops as their guide. The sand-colored concrete kitchen counters were brightened smooth, then coupled with natural slate of differing colors-- like charcoal, rust and also gold tones-- that develops the backsplashes in the cooking area and also bathrooms. As a layout accent, tiny rectangle-shaped slate tiles were added to the rim of the washroom sinks, which provided a distinct detail to the personalized vanities. When Happiness and Ken determined to offer their residence, their financial investment in concrete counter tops showed its worth. "We had the ability to provide the house $20,000 over market price, and had no worry offering it," remarks Joy, while talking about the lengthy checklist of upgrades throughout their home, consisting of knotty want solid doors, natural slate wall surface accents as well as wood floors. "The concrete kitchen counters were quickly one of the most distinct as well as remarkable of all the coatings. I think they were a substantial part in adding worth to the home. Around below, all you see in homes are granite kitchen counters-- and also I actually think buyers are getting fairly numb with granite."

2. " Concrete kitchen counters are an one-of-a-kind offering to homebuyers that see the exact same finishes used in home after home they see," clarifies Joy, supplying her observation as an experienced realtor. "Having concrete kitchen counters almost provides you boasting civil liberties-- you have something different from your neighbors." BREAKING THE MOLD An additional benefit of concrete is its versatility in either modern or traditional settings, specifically when coupled with various other products like diverse metals, wood or stone. "Concrete includes many [opportunities] to rock, as well as the mix with slate, which is widely popular below, gives the hill residences an overall warm, all-natural touch," says Happiness. Delight and also Ken have given that developed a much bigger house (4,000 sq. ft.) that uses extensive views of the Steamboat Ski Hotel as well as is suggested to act as a long-lasting financial investment for the pair. They've additionally increased their list of custom-made surfaces, consisting of hand-troweled wall surfaces, stylish oil- rubbed bronze hardware, knotty pine doors that arch on top, cupboards in an all-natural, knotty alder, and their favorite-- concrete kitchen area counter tops. Unlike in their previous house, KJ and his specialized team put charcoal-colored kitchen counters making use of the pre-cast approach in the ikea countertops review unfinished basement of the new residence. Before pouring the concrete, they sprinkled a variety of semi-precious stones in the mold and mildew including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Blue-green. After the surface was ground and also lightly polished, the completed result was an outstanding mix of colors, "Without a doubt, the Mother-of-Pearl was the most amazing," states Delight. The L-shaped concrete kitchen counter has a rough, rustic rock look, complementing its sturdy nation environments. An essential drainpipe board as well as trivets supplies feature and included rate of interest to the concrete countertop. All-natural slate backsplashes, distinct wall accents, as well as a butcher block counter top at the kitchen area island all resonate with the conventional heat and earthiness of the concrete kitchen counters. Pleasure and also Ken's corresponding backgrounds in property and custom-made homebuilding, and as financial investment buyers, have assisted them realize that concrete counter tops can add incredible visual and also monetary value to a home. Concrete's modification as well as "show-stopping" charm is like nothing else kitchen counter surface. Cheng is an advocate of emotional looks as well as developing homes that record these feelings, as when it comes to Joy and also Ken Otterman. Cheng wraps up: "Individuals truly desire differentiation, something individual, something custom-made-- and also concrete can do that for them."