The Value of Concrete Countertops: Modification Rises Visual Charm and Realty Investment for Homeowners

1. From top-dollar residences in the San Francisco Bay Location to stretching mountain residences in the Colorado Mountain ranges, differentiating property owners are demanding custom styles and also finishes in their cooking areas. In particular, they are looking to express their individuality and distinct design preferences with the rapid growing design material of selection-- concrete. As a matter of fact, concrete countertops have actually come to be somewhat of a condition sign for cooking areas, measuring up to granite and also various other high-end counter top surface area alternatives. Consumer Reports Magazine (August 2004) placed concrete greatest for its "customization" and also "exclusivity" among high-end kitchen area countertops. As a custom product, the quantity of time and also craftsmanship required to create concrete kitchen counters puts them as the most labor-intensive and priciest amongst leading counter top products. Nonetheless, concrete countertops are becoming much more obtainable for those on a small budget plan. The most recent diy (Do It Yourself) fad to astound home owners as well as home builders is building your very own concrete countertop. This phenomenon has gotten popularity greatly because of Cheng's very popular publication Concrete Countertops: Style, Forms, as well as Finishes for the New Cooking Area as well as Bath (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little financial investment in making concrete counter tops, yet the imaginative gains of dealing with concrete abound. THE SHOWSTOPPER Progressively, house owners are relocating far from the tedious, manufactured look of conventional kitchen counter surfaces and also choosing concrete for its earthy, timeless charm. Plus, the options for individualizing concrete counter tops are limitless: one can color, polish, stamp and discolor concrete or imbed individual things like rocks, seashells as well as fossils right into the countertop's surface, adding sentiment and personality. Practical functions such as drainpipe boards, soap meals, as well as trivets can also be incorporated to match the homeowners' own requirements and also way of living. Concrete is slowly coming to be debunked as characteristically cold and commercial. In contrary, this age-old material is warm and also remarkably responsive; people can not assist however touch their smooth, sleek surface areas. Property agent Delight Rasmussen, that has recently offered her hill house-- a short-term investment property in Steamboat Springs, CO-- recounts her site visitors' experiences with concrete: "When I had open houses, site visitors was attracted to the concrete countertops-- many people around below have actually never seen them". Delight's 2,265 sq. ft. mountain home was custom-made build by her husband, Ken Otterman, together with KJ Otterman, president of Classic Special Custom-made Houses. They developed pour-in-place concrete counters for the home's kitchen area as well as 3 bathrooms by utilizing Concrete Countertops as their stone countertops guide. The sand-colored concrete kitchen counters were polished smooth, after that coupled with all-natural slate of differing shades-- like charcoal, corrosion and gold tones-- that develops the backsplashes in the kitchen area and baths. As a layout accent, little rectangular slate tiles were included in the edge of the restroom sinks, which supplied an unique information to the personalized vanities.

2. When Pleasure as well as Ken made a decision to sell their home, their financial investment in concrete counter tops proved its value. "We were able to provide the house $20,000 over market value, as well as had no worry offering it," comments Happiness, while discussing the lengthy checklist of upgrades throughout their home, including knotty want strong doors, natural slate wall accents and also hardwood floors. "The concrete kitchen counters were quickly the most unique and also impressive of all the finishes. I think they were a substantial part in adding value to the residence. Around here, all you see in homes are granite countertops-- as well as I truly think property buyers are getting quite numb with granite." " Concrete countertops are an unique offering to buyers who see the exact same coatings utilized in house after home they check out," describes Pleasure, providing her observation as a skilled realtor. "Having concrete kitchen counters nearly provides you bragging rights-- you have something various from your next-door neighbors." BREAKING THE MOLD AND MILDEW An additional advantage of concrete is its adaptability in either modern-day or typical setups, especially when coupled with various other materials like varied metals, wood or rock. "Concrete adds a lot of [possibilities] to stone, as well as the mix with slate, which is widely preferred here, provides the mountain houses a general cozy, all-natural touch," claims Happiness. Happiness and Ken have actually considering that developed a much larger home (4,000 sq. ft.) that uses expansive sights of the Boat Ski Hotel and also is suggested to act as a long-lasting financial investment for the couple. They have actually additionally broadened their list of custom-made surfaces, including hand-troweled walls, classy oil-rubbed bronze hardware, knotty pine doors that arch at the top, cabinets in an all-natural, knotty alder, and also their preferred-- concrete kitchen countertops. Unlike in their previous home, KJ as well as his specialty crew put charcoal-colored countertops utilizing the pre- cast method in the unfinished basement of the brand-new house. Before putting the concrete, they sprayed a selection of semi-precious stones in the mold including Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and also Turquoise. After the surface area was ground and lightly brightened, the finished outcome was an outstanding mix of shades, "Without a doubt, the Mother-of-Pearl was the most extraordinary," says Pleasure. The L-shaped concrete kitchen counter has a harsh, rustic rock look, enhancing its rugged nation environments. An integral drain board and also trivets provides feature as well as added passion to the concrete kitchen counter. Natural slate backsplashes, unique wall accents, as well as a butcher block countertop at the kitchen island all resonate with the conventional warmth and also earthiness of the concrete countertops. Delight as well as Ken's particular histories in real estate and also custom-made homebuilding, and as financial investment homebuyers, have assisted them understand that concrete kitchen counters can add incredible visual and financial worth to a house. Concrete's customization and "show-stopping" allure is like nothing else counter top surface area. Cheng is a proponent of emotional looks as well as building homes that catch these feelings, as in the case of Pleasure and Ken Otterman. Cheng ends: "People really want differentiation, something individual,

3. something custom-- as well as concrete can do that for them."