Concrete countertops have been a "hot new item" in the Chicago kitchen and bath remodeling sector for a while now. We’ve hesitated to endorse them because while they’re perfect visual accompaniments to modern and contemporary design enthusiasts, we needed more evidence they would last that extra mile.
Now that concrete counters have proven themselves, we’re ready to share why you should consider concrete countertops for an upcoming kitchen or bathroom design.
Perks to Choosing Concrete Countertops for a Chicago Kitchen or Bathroom Remodel
Here are some of the perks you’ll enjoy when choosing concrete countertops for your kitchen or bathroom remodeling project:
Sculpt it into any shape you want
Because concrete is poured into a mold, you can design it in any shape you want. This allows for beautiful S- or C-curves for a kitchen island/bar design, or a rounded corner to accommodate a custom-vanity in your bathroom. This feature is a major bonus in smaller or uniquely shaped spaces, where more standard sizes and dimensions don’t work as well.
Choose your surface texture
Again, since concrete is a hand-mixed medium, we can get very creative with everything from what goes in it (read next) to how it’s finished from a textural vantage point. Your concrete counter can be smooth or sleek, pitted or distressed – or all of the above in different sections. Perhaps a smooth finish near sinks and food prep areas for easier cleaning, and textured finishes in areas that aren’t used as often.
Want to add an aggregate?
The most typical concrete countertop to date has been smoothly finished and then stained to the customer’s preference. As concrete has risen in popularity, however, the accent options have increased too. You can choose from a number of aggregate additives in order to increase the visual appeal of your countertops. Similar to the recycled aggregates used in quartz countertops, these options include things like recycled glass, river stones, pebbles, metallic accents or even personalized mementos (like your grandmother’s antique vase that you broke and saved…). You can mix these aggregates into the concrete or inlay them on top - the possibilities are endless.
Let your concrete countertop float
Concrete is seen as a heavier material, but recent innovations in concrete mixes and production techniques have changed that a bit. As Arizona concrete expert Cody Carpenter observed in a recent article on material trends, “…we’re able to create lighter, more structurally sound concrete that can ‘float’ across large expanses, giving bathrooms a much more open and airy design – especially in tighter spaces.”
You can get super-custom
We remarked above that concrete is mold-able into virtually any shape. However, it also allows architects and kitchen-bath designers to get remarkably custom with countertop and sink/drainage designs. You can integrate the sink into the countertops for seamless appeal; you can slope a portion of bathroom countertop down into a drain so the countertop becomes the sink, topped by a stunning wall-mounted faucet - the possibilities are endless when it comes to creating artistic and efficient countertop designs using concrete.
Are you interested in exploring the idea of concrete countertops for your Chicago kitchen or bath remodeling project? Schedule a consultation with Kitchens and Baths Unlimited. We only work with the best and most experienced concrete designers and installers in Chicago to ensure you benefit from the finest materials and installation available.
Photo Credit: Concrete Decor
