Granite was a popular design material for kitchens for many years, particularly from the 1990s through 2010. Then, soapstone, quartz, and marble became more popular as granite slips farther down the list of kitchen countertop options. Concrete is one of the newest surfaces of interest to homebuyers and builders. More and more people are requesting concrete and decorative concrete inside their homes and in places like kitchens and bathrooms. In fact, concrete countertops are now as prized as quartz or marble, depending upon your design aesthetic.
Below, we look at some of the benefits of concrete countertops. You can learn how this surface is fully customizable and more revered than you expect. Skilled craftsmen can apply concrete to suit a range of spaces and décor styles, effectively combining function with striking beauty and easy-to-clean durability.
Benefits of Concrete Countertops for Your Kitchen and Bathrooms
Like any surface material, concrete has its benefits. These include:
Customization
One of the most obvious benefits of concrete countertops is your ability to make the material and finished surfaces your own. You have endless options for color, texture, shape, edging, decoration and surface finishing. Below are some of these options available to you through an experienced concrete contractor:
- Precise color and shape designs to suit your style
- Custom edge profiles, embeds and surface finishes
- Replication of other materials like granite, marble, stone or wood
- Suited to any décor or design style, such as traditional, country, modern, contemporary, rustic or industrial
- Custom casting to include trivets, drainboards and cutting boards
- Addition of decorative stone aggregates or glass to create a custom look
- Decorative options like stenciled monograms or integrated lighting
Because of the virtually unlimited options for making your concrete countertops your own, you can ensure your kitchen and bath have custom design appeal.
Durability
Your concrete counters provide the durability you need in high traffic areas heavily used by all members of your family and for a range of functions. Obviously, concrete is extremely tough. Indoors, this material can look beautiful while also providing a highly functional surface for cooking and other use.
Your concrete contractor can also reinforce your concrete countertops by adding glass fibers. These fibers enhance strength while also making the surfaces lightweight. Through reinforcement, you can have a seamless finish and broad overhangs not achievable using granite or other types of counter materials.
Myths of Concrete Countertops
Along with the benefits of concrete, there are some concerns that people have when considering the use of the material for concrete countertops. Some of these common myths include:
Myth: Concrete Stains Too Easily
As explored in the section above, concrete is a highly durable and functional surface for kitchens and bathrooms, such as for concrete countertops. But many people fear the material’s vulnerability to stains. This is no different than surfaces like quartz and marble, both known for staining.
In actuality, stain prevention on your concrete counters comes down to simple maintenance. By regularly applying sealer and wax, you can prevent staining. It is also important to clean spills as soon as they occur, just as is important on any decorative surface.
Myth: Concrete Counters Cost More than Quartz, Granite, or Marble
When choosing concrete countertops, you might expect the finished project to cost much less than other surfaces because the materials are so readily available. This sets you up to experience confusion about price quotes.
The reality is that concrete counters require handcrafting by experienced artisans to your specific design, color, and finish needs. This means labor is a factor in the final cost. While materials cost much less than other surfaces, the labor costs more. This puts concrete countertops in the same price range as quartz, marble, and granite.
However, because concrete countertops are so stylish and customizable, they increase the value of your home. This provides an excellent return on your investment. When selling your house, you can write this premium material into the pricing.
Myth: Concrete Countertops Install Quickly
When deciding upon concrete countertops, remember that your design and finish choices take advanced skill and time to implement. Unlike slabs of granite, marble, or quartz, your concrete counters are finished on-site by a skilled concrete contractor. The surfaces take a while to cast and cure.
Although this can feel like a disadvantage when choosing your surfaces, it is actually a mark of the end value. Unlike with cut stone, concrete gives you an unlimited array of customization options. The results speak for themselves and you will have unique features to your home unmatched by others in the neighborhood.
Cost of Concrete Countertops
Every homeowner or builder must consider their budget in making design decisions. Luckily, concrete counters do not break the bank in comparison to other types of kitchen and bathroom surfaces. When you consider the customization benefits and other options associated with using concrete, decision-making becomes a no-brainer. Below, we compare the price of concrete countertops with other types of materials. These prices are for the finished product with work performed by experienced concrete contractors.
Marble
Marble countertops are known for staining and chipping, particularly in households with young children. These surfaces require a lot of maintenance, but in the right households can provide great durability and style. Installed, marble counters range between $75 and $250 per square foot.
Granite
Granite has been a long-term staple in the home building and design industry. They require only moderate care and attention to keep them looking good. But styles come and go and granite may be a surface purchase with a lower return on the initial investment in coming years. The average cost for installation and materials ranges between $45 and $200 per square foot.
Engineered Quartz
Quartz is a tough surface well-suited for active households. It also provides great beauty, although with some limitations in customization. Cost for materials and labor range between $55 and $155 per square foot.
Concrete
As explored above, concrete is a highly customizable, functional, and durable surface for kitchens and bathrooms. Materials cost less in comparison to other types of counters, like those above. But labor adds to the budget for these projects because you can request so many custom options that require more skilled craftsmanship. The fewer custom options you choose, the easier the project for an experienced concrete contractor to complete and the lower its cost. On average, concrete counters cost between $75 and $125 per square foot.
For your Raleigh area home, talk to the concrete experts at We Do Concrete Cheap in Bunn, North Carolina. We provide a range of options to meet your outdoor or indoor concrete needs, such as concrete countertops or a concrete patio. Call us at 919-454-3927 today for a consultation.
