Until recently, concrete was the ugly stepsister of the design world and was relegated to foundations, driveways and the occasional patio. However, now concrete has started to appear both inside and outside the home in new and creative ways. Concrete materials are now used for kitchen countertops, flooring, siding, pavers and many other home applications.
Concrete is a mixture of cement, water and aggregates such as sand, gravel or crushed stone. Pigments may be used to add color to the concrete mix. The mixture is very flexible at first and then hardens into a very strong and durable product. That's why concrete can be used for countertops as well as in houses, bridges and roads.
While pre-cast concrete includes concrete bricks and pavers, an advanced concrete product includes fibers and special aggregates for roofing tiles, shingles, siding and kitchen countertops.
In kitchens, concrete is now sneaking up on granite as the material of choice for countertops. For homeowners who are looking for natural materials, concrete ranks alongside of wood, stone and brick.
Concrete is flexible and can either be pre-cast or built on site. In either case, concrete countertops can be said to be the most "personal" as they are made to order for each home. In addition to countertops, concrete can also be used for backsplashes and is generally available in a variety of colors. And concrete countertops are always unique as colors vary based on the types and amounts of cement, aggregates and additives that are used.
Countertops are cured, polished and sealed so that the end result is a durable product and on-going maintenance is generally minimal.
Concrete for use in kitchens is not a lower priced alternative and typically runs more than other alternatives, including granite countertops. Pricing does vary but prices generally range from $65 to $135 per square foot, exclusive of installation.
Another of the latest trends is using concrete or fiber cement for home siding. Fiber cement is composed of cement, sand, cellulose fiber and additives. This siding has the natural look of wood but can also have the appearance of stucco or cedar shingles. It can be painted or stained and as with countertops, it is durable and can last for many years. In addition, it doesn't rot or warp and is naturally resistant to water, fungus, and termites as well as fire and some manufacturers offer a warranty of up to 50 years.
HardiPlank and HardiPanel are two of the more well known brand names for fiber cement siding manufactured by James Hardie Building Products. Other manufacturers include Certainteed , Cemplank, and Maxitile.
Fiber cement siding is more expensive than vinyl but generally much less expensive than wood. And as it's durable, one painting can last many years and requires little additional maintenance. You can also order fiber cement siding pre-painted in a variety of colors and warranties on pre-painted fiber cement can last from 15-25 years. All in all, a good value for homeowners who would rather spend their time on activities other than home improvement.
Concrete is a good example of an everyday material that had long been overlooked for home improvement applications but is now coming into its own. It's durability, flexibility and almost maintenance-free characteristics make it a good choice for your renovation needs.
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