Concrete Countertop
The Best Value in Kitchen Countertop Material
It has been argued by kitchen remodeling experts that kitchen countertops take more beatings from users than even the kitchen floor. While the kitchen floor takes abuse from stomping feet, pointy high heels, and occasional food spillovers, kitchen countertop are battered by sizzling hot pots, harsh cleaning solutions, abrasive hard scrubbing, and cold scratching from bottom of kitchen countertop appliances. As one of the largest single areas of kitchen décor, the look and feel of the kitchen countertop material also has a dramatic effect on kitchen aesthetics. Moreover, replacing the kitchen countertop is no easy task, even when compared to replacement of kitchen floors. There are much heavy lifting, in addition to proper cutting, setting, and support. Thus, the best value in kitchen countertop material must consider not only the price, but also durability, aesthetics, and installation/maintenance.
There are many available different countertop materials available:
- Granite, marble, and soapstone are all extremely durable and have the beauty of natural stones. They also come in a variety of colors and patterns to match well with most kitchens. However, they tend to be expensive and require proper sealing to prevent discoloration over time.
- On the other end of the scale, laminates and ceramic tiles are much more affordable. However, they have a decidedly more modest look and feel, when compared to the upscale granite, marble, and soapstone countertops. Furthermore, while they are fairly easy to clean, they tend to chip, scratch, and stain very easily.
- There are also countertop materials for specialized applications, such as stainless steel and concrete countertops. Stainless steel is extremely durable and easy to clean. However, because it has an emphatically industrial look, it is most suitable for contemporary-looking kitchens. Stainless steel also suffers from susceptibility to inadvertent dents and that occasional irritating metal-scratching noise. High cost is also an issue for stainless steel countertops. Concrete countertops are typically custom cast right in the kitchen, so they are especially good for creating custom-shaped countertops. Concrete are mostly heat- and scratch-resistant, but some cracking is possible. In terms of style, it has a distinctly exotic and unusual look, but the need for custom-casting put it beyond most people’s budget.
- And, finally, there is the best value in kitchen countertop material — the engineered stone. Not only is the engineered stone just as stain-, scratch-, and heat-resistant as the expensive granite and marble counters, it also requires minimal maintenance and comes in a variety of colors, patterns, and textures to match well with virtually any kitchen style. Yet, it is considerably more affordable than either granite or marble.
Because of the complexity involved in upgrading kitchen countertops, a reliable professional kitchen remodeling contractor is recommended for installation of all aforementioned countertop materials. This discussion centers on providing a general understanding of the available kitchen countertop material options, including price, durability, aesthetics, and installation/maintenance. For the best cost estimate and options for your dream kitchen, please consult your local kitchen remodeling contractors.
About the Author
I was born and raised in California and have worked as a consultant in the home remodeling industry for the past fifteen years. Currently, I am a contractor with
KitchenRemodelPro.com, a company that provides free home remodeling quotes.
Concrete Countertops
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CONCRETE COUNTERTOP BASIC KIT CHOCOLATE PIGMENT CEMENT $44.95 |
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CONCRETE COUNTERTOP BASIC KIT SAND BROWN PIGMENT CEMENT $44.95 |
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CONCRETE COUNTERTOP BASIC KIT BLACK ONYX PIGMENT CEMENT $44.95 |
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5″ WET PAD SET POLISHING CONCRETE COUNTER TOPS (10) SET $90.00 |
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StoneTech EX6-16 1-Pint Oil Stain Remover for Natural Stone $13.20 The StoneTech professional oil stain remover for natural stone is a superior, citrus solvent-based poultice especially formulated for removing stubborn oil-based stains. The stain remover easy to use, will not discolor natural stone, and produces no residue. The stain remover has the ability to pull out deep, stubborn stains, all while being VOC compliant. This natural citrus solvent is safe on fo… |
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Concrete Finisher $1.99 … |
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Stone Care International Stone Spray-N-Seal, 32oz $22.07 32 OZ, Plastic Bottle With Spray Top, Water Based Sealer Provides Amazing Protection On All Extra Porous Stone Surfaces Such As Fine Grained Granites, Flamed Granite, Tumbled Marble, Limestone, Slate, Concrete, Sandstone, Flagstone, And Grout, Perfect For Interior & Exterior Use, This Below Surface Sealer Repels All Water & Oil-Based Contaminants And Prevents Them From Absorbing In, Yet Allows The… |
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I-Bird Speakers and Mp3 Player This ingenious invention uses vibration technology to turn any suitable flat surface into a high quality audio speaker – wood, glass, concrete, tables, desks, countertops, etc. The sound changes depending on the surface – wood surfaces produce more bass; glass surfaces accentuate the high frequencies. Whatever your mood you can change the sound quality by simply placing the i-Bird on a different s… |
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