Concrete - once reserved for sidewalks and driveways - is now being used inside the home in unexpected and beautiful ways.
More and more homeowners are considering concrete for floors, countertops, tables and even chairs. Made of sand, cement and water, concrete can be pigmented, stained, etched, scored and even made into tiles for flooring, counter tops or fireplace surrounds. Once scored and painted, a bathroom floor, for example, could easily be mistaken for terra cotta.
Since concrete can also be poured into a mold, it can take on almost any shape and allows for an individual's customization much more readily than manufactured products. The ability for concrete to be cast in very thick shapes and/or free forms, while also being water- and heat-resistant provides a nice alternative to synthetic materials that may attempt to imitate stone, or even stone itself.
Adding pigment or unusual design elements, such as bits of glass, buttons, or even old watch faces can turn concrete items into conversation pieces, while adding humor and interest to a room.
One of the most common places you'll see decorative concrete these days is on the floor. It can be acidstained, painted or textured and patterned in a multitude of ways. It can also be naturally colored so that it blends seamlessly with other elements in a room.
There are many reasons why this versatile flooring material is becoming so popular. It is easy to maintain and easy to change. If you sell your home, for example, the next owner can place carpet or wood over it. Concrete is also an especially good flooring alternative for families with allergies.
Many homeowners are taking advantage of concrete's flexibility in other ways, such as with its ability to serve as a sink, as a drainboard or butcher block. It can also be formed into back splashes and wet walls in a wide array of complementary colors and textures.
Concrete counter tops can either be pre-cast in a shop, or built on site. If a counter top is built on site, it can be formed to the homeowner's particular needs, such as with radius edges or curved corners.
Counter tops are typically made of cement, lightweight aggregates, and a combination of additives, such as fiber reinforcement, silica fume pozzolan, and acrylic. They will typically be reinforced with structural steel, wire mesh, fiberglass, and/or fibers.
Sometimes more than one type of reinforcement is used.
Counter tops are always sealed. The type of sealant, the method used and number of coats of sealer used is unique to each concrete contractor.
Concrete is also being used more these days for fireplaces and fireplace surrounds. Since they serve as the centerpiece of a room - both visually and socially - a beautifully designed concrete fireplace and fireplace surround can create an eye-catching focal point, frequently substituting for a fine work of art.
For design ideas and suggestions on how to find a concrete contractor, go to www.concretenetwork.com.
