The Benefits of Concrete Countertops

By: Allen Wright

Concrete countertops have been around for longer than you think. One of the original "Father's of Concrete Countertops", Fu-Tung Chen, was pouring them as early as the mid 1970's, and started his own business soon thereafter. It was the start of an entire industry that has, in recent years, caught on like wildfire. There is no other product on the market today that offers all the benefits and appeal of concrete countertops, and as the process is more and more refined, the products and results have become almost unbelievable.

But don't just think kitchen counters when we talk about concrete. It can be used for any number of other applications, from sinks to tubs to fireplace surrounds and any surface or detail in between.

Entire bathroom countertops with included sinks can be cast out of one monolithic form, and bring a sense of mass and substance to your room like nothing else you can imagine. The benefit, of course, is that the form is built to any size, and is filled with concrete when in its liquid state. That allows for infinite design possibilities.

As another added benefit, concrete is durable. It will outlast everything else in your house, and still be around on the second, third, and fourth kitchen remodel. Concrete is one of the most durable building materials in existence today. It can bear incredible amounts of compression and temperature extremes without fail, so you can imagine how easily it can withstand heavy use in a kitchen or bathroom.

Modern chemistry has created a dizzying array of colors and additives that we use to strengthen and tint the concrete. From shades of gray to brilliant blues and greens, concrete can be made to fit any shade of color you can imagine. When you add in the idea of inclusions, the design possibilities and detail potential really come to life. Anything that you can imagine can be added to the countertop before it dries, making a permanent display or reminded. Glass and pebbles can be added for an amazing effect. The counter is ground down when dry to a silk-smooth surface, and the inclusions show through for an incredible display.

Concrete countertops are becoming more mainstream, and designers are flocking to decorative concrete companies to get their names on the list. Make sure you coordinate your countertop installer with your designer and finish carpenter to ensure that everything will fit together seamlessly.

Article Source: http://www.articlepro.co.uk/international

Allen is a design enthusiast who has followed the concrete countertop industry for years. Follow these links for more information on Grand Rapids concrete countertops and concrete countertop installers in Grand Rapids.

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