Concrete Library

Concrete Countertops

Kitchen Countertops

Fireplace Surrounds

Bath Vanities

Integral Concrete Sinks

Bar Tops and Table Tops

Countertop Sealing and Maintenance

Kitchen Countertops

It's well known by now that concrete has become a material that homeowners and designers are requesting and weaving into their homes, offices, retail outlets, restaurants, etc., in the most amazing ways. But leading the charge in the concrete craze are concrete countertops. Now you can find out why concrete counters are so popular, how you can make their versatility work for you, what color options abound, and some insight into how they are designed, created and built.

Since the kitchen is the hub of culinary creativity, more homeowners are moving away from the manufactured look of laminates and choosing materials that are as inimitable and timeless as a treasured family recipe. Countertops made from concrete are the latest trend du jour in kitchen interiors. Discriminating homeowners are discovering that this versatile, moldable medium can be handcrafted into a distinctive surface that expresses their individuality, design preferences and even their cooking style. Concrete kitchen countertops are more affordable than granite but just as elegant.

Concrete projects require more time, more love and more patience per square foot than any other substance. If you want to stay current with today’s hottest design trends, though, concrete is the way you want to go. If this is the route you choose, you will need to implement a design process. Selecting shapes and colors is the first step. Then, samples are made to make sure the textures and hues are what you envisioned. After the mold is made and the concrete mix is poured, a 3-4-week time frame is optimal for the hardening process. High strength is reached in 10 days, but it truly reaches full strength in 28. And you know what they say about good things coming to those who wait….

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Fireplace Surrounds

The fireplace and fireplace surround serve as the centerpiece of a room, both visually and socially. Family and guests inevitably gravitate to this soothing,flickering backdrop for conversation and mingling. Beautiful concrete fireplace mantels or a fireplace surround provide an eye-catching focal point. If properly designed, the fireplace mantel shelf or fireplace surround can serve as a worthy substitute for any work of art.

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Bath Vanities

Concrete countertops and bath vanities whether polished, cast in place, pre-cast or stamped, these rather new inventions are becoming one of the most popular fields of the decorative concrete industry.

Concrete vanities and countertops offer the customer a totally brand new innovative look to chose from.

By using concrete as a component, decorative concrete countertops are functional, versatile, durable and ultimately beautiful. From a malleable material like wet concrete we can contour, form, and create a design which will eventually become rock solid.

Bathrooms are a wonderful place to express one's personal creativity. There are many styles of bathroom vanity tops. From custom shapes and sizes to molded sinks and as always any color or surface aggregate you desire.

Bathroom vanities do more than house your sink and offer storage. The quintessential bath vanity sets the tone of the room and embodies the spirit of your design scheme or décor. Concrete vanity tops add a touch of sophistication and class to any vanity base.

With concrete, you get all the benefits of a solid surface: luxury, durability, and easy care. Concrete is a great option for bathrooms because you can be so creative with it. One of the benefits of choosing concrete for your sink or countertop is the range of colors available. A professional concrete contractor can create custom colors to help you match or complement other materials in your bathroom, helping to tie all the elements together for one complete and remarkable bathroom vanity

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Integral Concrete Sinks

Integral counter sinks are designed within the countertop. Creating a unified and consistent look, integral sinks are one-of-a-kind and meld basin with countertop. This fusion creates sleek and elegant tops providing ease of use in kitchens, bathrooms and other areas.

Integral sinks can be designed in a variety of fashions. The possibilities are virtually endless. Many decorative concrete contractors offer their own individual artistic style of sink designs.

Whether you are redesigning an existing bathroom or building a new home, concrete may not be the first material that comes to mind when talking about the bathroom sink. However, concrete provides a plethora of benefits over other sink materials, including the ability to transform into any size, shape and color under the sun. Concrete is a wonderfully versatile material for use both inside and outside the home. With unlimited choice in colors and styles, it is no wonder many homeowners are turning to this traditional sidewalk substance today.

Concrete sinks can also be integrated into countertops, but the ability to mold this material into any shape or design means that your integrated sink will only be limited by your imagination. You can opt for sinks in unusual shapes, like a kidney bean or pear contour. You can also go for some of the fun styles today like the wave sink, ramp sink or trough sink. The versatility of concrete means your sink can take on any shape, color or function you choose.

Concrete is an easy substance to build with and it is an efficient material to maintain. With proper sealing, this material becomes water proof, somewhat stain proof and exceedingly durable. The nearly unlimited choices in colors and styles mean that you can customize the look of your bathroom completely. If you thought concrete was just for driveways, check out the beautiful array of concrete sinks available today. You will never look at concrete in the same way again.

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Bar Tops and Table Tops

Concrete bar tops and tabletops are being used in residences, night clubs, restaurants, point of sale terminals in retail stores, and so much more. Countertop manufacturers can include inset details, create custom patterns, patterned edge details and a variety of custom finishes.

Concrete tabletops are ideal for use in the backyard, on the patio or even in a garden room. Durable and easy to maintain, a sturdy tabletop made of concrete will last for years.

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Countertop Sealing and Maintenance

Now that you have a beautiful concrete countertop, it's important that you protect your investment. Note: Concrete countertops cannot all be grouped together as having the same maintenance level, as not all concrete countertops are created equally! Each fabricator has his/her own ways of creating and finishing counters.

Here are some basic ways to protect and maintain your concrete countertop:

As far as daily maintenance goes, wipe up spills as soon as they occur, use a light dish soap or detergent to clean, and avoid harsh chemicals, such as bleach. Once a month, use wax to maintain your concrete countertop and build up a protective film over time. Similar to a car wax, a wax for your countertop will create a slick, smooth, easy-to-clean surface. If your countertop begins to show signs of wear and dulling, reapply an additional coat of wax.

When it comes to yearly maintanence, you may decide to apply a penetrating sealer every year or two. This will strengthen the stain resistance of the concrete.

One of the best ways to determine the ideal maintenence solution for your concrete countertop is to ask the fabricator or manufacturer directly, and have them provide you with the proper care instructions after they install the counter. This will ensure a long-lasting countertop for years to come.

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