One of the hottest new trends in the home building and decorating industry today is the creative use of polished concrete. Concrete has become popular with designers and home owners alike due to its limitless design potential. It is regularly used to create beautiful and distinctive kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities. Concrete countertops are prized for their uniqueness. As they are always custom-built, they can truly reflect personal taste. There are countless options for colour, pattern, shape, size and finish. Custom concrete products can also be crafted to coordinate with other design elements in the home. Decorative accents, such as glass, metals - even small objects such as seashells or coins, can be embedded to create a one-of-a-kind look. The patina that can be polished into concrete is remarkable and can portray a plethora of characters and moods, from antique-like to funky to pure art.
Extremely versatile, concrete countertops can be constructed either directly on-site or in the factory or studio. In the studio, precast countertops are moulded by the contractor using specifically crafted custom moulds. Mould or pattern making is a very skilled profession requiring careful consideration. Once the cement mix is set, the surfaced is ground, polished and then the sealed. When constructed on-site, custom forms are built directly over the tops of cabinets and the concrete is cast-in-place.
Polished concrete products are not only stylish; they may be eco-friendly as well. Concrete has many positive environmental benefits. Post-industrial waste materials can be readily incorporated into the concrete mix. The use of recycled material reduces land fill and CO2 emissions. Because it is hard-wearing and impervious to rot or flame, concrete is extremely durable and will last for many decades. Also, concrete is a terrific insulator, able to retain and radiate heat.
As well as creating distinctive artisan-crafted kitchen counters and bathroom vanities, polished concrete can be fabricated into many other decorative household items. Stunning fireplace surrounds, bath tubs, table tops and furniture are just a few of its possible applications. Due to its durability, it can also be used for outdoor furniture and window sills. Polished concrete products can be used in any area of the home to make a major design statement.
"When upgrading or designing a new kitchen or bath, people often ask me why they should choose a concrete product instead of the more widely used granite," reports Anthony Vanee of Anthony Concrete Design (http://www.anthonyconcretedesign.com), an Ontario polished concrete manufacturer that designs, fabricates and installs custom polished concrete products for residential and commercial applications. "My best answer to them is this; with concrete you are not simply getting a countertop, you are getting a piece of art for your home. There is no other surface out there that can be customized and personalized the way concrete can. While granite is a beautiful material, concrete makes a much bigger design statement," states Vanee.
For designers and home owners who want to stay up to the minute with the latest home design trends, choosing a polished concrete product is the way to go. Concrete offers practicality as well as unlimited design choice and can be the focal point of any room in the house. In fact, a custom concrete countertop is likely to be all the talk when entertaining guests. It's one of those "got to haves" that once people see an installation – they want to follow suit in their own home.
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