The Worth of Concrete Countertops: Personalization Increases Visual Appeal and
The Value of Concrete Countertops: Customization Boosts Aesthetic Appeal and Property Financial investment for Homeowners
From top-dollar homes in the San Francisco Bay Location to stretching mountain homes in the Colorado Rockies, discriminating property owners are demanding custom-made designs and surfaces in their kitchen areas. In particular, they are seeking to express their uniqueness and unique style preferences with the fast growing style product of option concrete.
In truth, concrete countertops have actually ended up being somewhat of a status symbol for kitchens, matching granite and other high-end countertop surface choices. Customer Reports Magazine (August 2004) ranked concrete highest for its customization and exclusivity among high-end cooking area countertops.
As a custom product, the amount of time and craftsmanship required to produce concrete countertops puts them as the most labor-intensive and priciest among leading counter top products.
However, concrete counter tops are ending up being more accessible for those on a modest budget plan. The most recent diy (DO IT YOURSELF) pattern to captivate homeowners and home builders is constructing your own concrete counter top. This phenomenon has gotten appeal largely due to Chengs very popular book Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and Completes for the New Kitchen Area and Bath read this (Taunton Press, 2002). According to Cheng, there is little monetary financial investment in making concrete countertops, yet the creative gains of working with concrete are plentiful.
THE SHOWSTOPPER
Increasingly, homeowners are moving away from the tedious, manufactured look of standard countertop surfaces and selecting concrete for its earthy, ageless appeal. Plus, the options for individualizing concrete countertops are limitless: one can color, polish, stamp and stain concrete or imbed individual items like stones, seashells and fossils into the counter tops surface, including belief and character. Functional functions such as drain boards, soap dishes, and trivets can also be integrated to suit the house owners own needs and lifestyle.
Concrete is gradually ending up being demystified as typically cold and industrial. In contrary, this age-old product is warm and remarkably tactile; people can not assist but touch their smooth, refined surfaces. Property representative Joy Rasmussen, who has actually just recently sold her mountain home a short-term financial investment residential or commercial property in Steamboat Springs, CO recounts her visitors experiences with concrete: When I had open homes, visitors gravitated to the concrete countertops lots of people around here have actually never ever seen them.
When Delight and Ken decided to sell their home, their financial investment in concrete counter tops proved its worth. We had the ability to note the house $20,000 over market price, and had no problems offering it, remarks Joy, while discussing the long list of upgrades throughout their home, including knotty pine strong doors, natural slate wall accents and hardwood floors. The concrete counter tops were easily the most unique and outstanding of all the finishes. I think they were a big part in including value to the home. Around here, all you see in homes are granite counter tops and I truly think property buyers are getting rather numb with granite.
Concrete counter tops are a special offering to homebuyers who see the same finishes used in home after house they check out, explains Joy, using her observation as a seasoned realtor. Having concrete countertops practically provides you bragging rights you have something different from your neighbors.
BREAKING THE MOLD
Another benefit of concrete is its flexibility in either modern or standard settings, especially when combined with other materials like varied metals, wood or stone. Concrete adds so many [possibilities] to stone, and the combination with slate, which is extremely popular here, provides the mountain homes a general warm, natural touch, says Pleasure.
Joy and Ken have actually because constructed a much larger home (4,000 sq. ft.) that provides expansive views of the Steamboat Ski Resort and is suggested to function as a long-lasting financial investment for the couple. Theyve likewise broadened their list of custom finishes, consisting of hand-troweled walls, classy oil-rubbed bronze hardware, knotty pine doors that arch at the top, cabinets in a natural, knotty alder, and their favorite concrete kitchen area countertops.
Unlike in their previous home, KJ and his specialty team put charcoal-colored countertops using the pre-cast method in the unfinished basement of the brand-new home. Before pouring the concrete, they sprinkled a selection of semi-precious stones in the mold consisting of Leopardskin, Moonstone, Mother-of-Pearl and Blue-green. After the surface area was ground and gently polished, the finished outcome was an outstanding mix of colors, Without a doubt, the Mother-of-Pearl was the most unbelievable, states Happiness.
The L-shaped concrete counter top has a rough, rustic stone appearance, matching its rugged country surroundings. An essential drain board and trivets offers function and added interest to the concrete counter top. Natural slate backsplashes, distinct wall accents, and a butcher block countertop at the kitchen area island all resonate with the standard warmth and earthiness of the concrete countertops.
Joy and Kens respective backgrounds in property and customized homebuilding, and as financial investment property buyers, have actually assisted them realize that concrete countertops can add significant aesthetic and financial worth to a home. Concretes personalization and show-stopping appeal resembles no other counter top surface. Cheng is a supporter of psychological looks and constructing homes that catch these feelings, as in the case of Delight and Ken Otterman. Cheng concludes: Individuals really want differentiation, something personal, something custom and concrete can do that for them.