Concrete floors and countertops are perfect for modern kitchens because they can be made to appear shiny, smooth and sleek.
Last week, I discussed flooring options in my post, Optimistic Flooring Options.
After viewing at least a hundred different flooring and countertop designs in concrete, I felt inspired to reveal the beauty and myriad options available in concrete.
What’s up with the concrete craze? You need not look further than a trendy boutique, office space or sleek modern Italian kitchen to see how aesthetically stunning concrete appears.
Concrete is now the material of choice for many homeowners and designers. They are incorporating it into their homes, offices, retail outlets, restaurants, etc., in the most aesthetically amazing ways!
Concrete is perhaps the most versatile of all flooring and countertop options. It is available in a variety of choices: acid-stained, painted, polished, overlays, microtoppings and radiant floors- and countertops.
Acid-Staining is perhaps the most popular way to achieve color in concrete. Chemical stains can be applied to new, old, plain or colored concrete surfaces. Surprisingly, acid is not actually the agent which creates the color; rather metallic salts in an acidic, water-based solution react with calcium hydroxide. The chemical equation results in insoluble, colored compounds that become embedded in concrete.
The ultimate outcome of the stained concrete is impacted by the cement properties; type of aggregate used; finishing method; the age and moisture level of the mixture when the stain is applied, and even the weather conditions at the time the stain is applied.
Most homeowners prefer light tan finishes which comprise approx. 60% of the market. Green and brown hues are also popular, as are ‘black washes’ that are used to minimize the contrast between color tones.
Painted concrete is the latest trend in coloring interior concrete floors. Although few professionals currently specialize in concrete painting, one can surmise that new providers will enter the market as demand grows.
Painted concrete can be made to appear like just about any element. In particular, marble, stone, slate and even tiled appearances are popular. The appearance of painted concrete floors and countertops can look seamless which yields a very sleek, smooth design. Equally important, painted concrete floors and countertops are low maintenance.
Polished concrete is amazing because it is a no-wax floor material that appears very shiny. Groundbreaking methods and advances in polishing equipment and techniques now enable finishers to grind surfaces both new and old. It’s practically a miracle that the high-gloss finish will never need to be waxed or coated!
To create a truly interesting finish, materials such as colored aggregate, glass, nails, bolts, computer chips and just about any other object can be ‘seeded’ into the mix so it appears shiny, smooth and sleek. The same materials can also be combined into a pattern according to the designer’s or homeowner’s preferences.
Next week, I’ll reveal more concrete ideas in concrete, and also explore their economical and environmental benefits.
This post is brought to you by the good folks at Berloni America. We would love to connect with you on Facebook.
Photo Credit: ConcreteFloors.org
