Kitchen
Surface finishes. As a natural material, concrete has open pores. When cared for appropriately, it ages gracefully and develops a beautiful patina. It is scratch resistant but can be damaged by splashes of acid and grease. However, as patina doesn’t appeal to everyone, consider your priorities. Are the authenticity of the concrete countertop and an environmentally friendly surface finish important to you? If so, consider treating the countertop like wood with a layer of oil or wax, which will need refreshing every six months.
Shape and thickness. The manufacturing process already distinguishes concrete from most other materials used as countertops in kitchens. As concrete is molded, there are almost no limits to the design possibilities you can consider in the planning phase. Do you want the countertop to blend seamlessly into the rear wall? How do you want to integrate the sink? Do you want to add a personal touch with integrated patterns or materials?
Weight problems? On average, 10.7 square feet (1 square meter) of 1½-inch-thick (4-centimeter-thick) concrete countertop weighs about 220 pounds (100 kilograms). Bear this in mind when thinking about transporting one to your rented apartment on the fifth floor. And for really heavy pieces, you should check your kitchen floor’s weight rating. The countertop itself also needs a substructure sturdy enough to carry its weight.
Cool and clean. This spectacular dining banquette is sited in the middle of a living space in a renovated 1960s apartment in Melbourne. It was decorated by interior design company Mr. Mitchell within a stand-alone, all-white cube. This “allowed us to introduce the macramé screen, which is a fun reference to the retro era of the apartment,” says Mr. Mitchell director Andrew Mitchell.
. First-class compartment. In keeping with the warm, minimalist elements featured elsewhere in this California ranch house, this nook has cedar ceilings, Sheetrock walls, exposed timber framing and structural steel windows. The site for the house is edged with mature evergreen trees and opens to a field with views out to the Pacific Ocean. With its panoramic-size window and glorious outlook to a countryside vista, this sleek dine-in nook is a stylish way to eat at home.
How much does a concrete countertop cost? Concrete countertops often require an individual mold, which is custom made before casting. That means that the workmanship and associated costs for manufacturing an individual concrete countertop are relatively high. Depending on the cutouts for kitchen appliances and the number of individual molds required, you can expect costs of at least $150 to $250 per square foot.
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