Oakland Concrete Countertops

Counters are an integral part of any kitchen; when it comes time to install new ones, you want a counter that will look good and perform well, too. In Oakland, concrete countertops are able to fulfill both of these criteria, and are especially fitting for the quirky and diverse Bay Area. If you have never considered concrete as a counter material, there are a few things you should know; when you?ve got the facts on your side and can truly weigh the advantages of this material to others in its price range, installing concrete countertops in Oakland might turn out to be exactly what you?ve been looking for!

Oakland Concrete Counters: Understanding Appearances
Many people are put off by the idea of a concrete countertop; Oakland residents who?ve never seen one in person might imagine a dull gray slab better suited to hopscotch than food preparation. In reality, concrete counters are every bit as elegant as counters made of natural stone like granite or marble. Incredibly far removed from the gray masses used in construction and industrial settings, a finished concrete counter will be a smooth, colorful, and beautiful piece (with strength to spare).

Oakland Concrete Countertops vs. Natural Stone Counters
When it comes to history, marble and granite certainly have the upper hand over concrete. These classic materials have been used for centuries in some of the most beautiful installations around. Modern homeowners know, however, that some pretty good things can come out of technological advances. Concrete counters, though they boast a far shorter pedigree, have some distinct advantages over natural stone countertops.

The pattern and color of natural stone is determined, of course, by the minerals and weather conditions that are present in the area from which it is quarried. Though Mother Nature can make some pretty beautiful patterns, an individual person can hardly tell the rain to fall in a certain area. With concrete counters, Oakland homeowners have the advantage of customizing what will be in their kitchen or bath to go with the rest of the setting. You?ll be able to pick the color and finish; you?ll also be able to add other elements to the mix to give you a unique, one-of-a kind installation that fits your home, as well as your personality.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Oakland Concrete Countertops
Like natural stone, concrete is extremely heavy. When installing concrete counters (or natural stone counters) in an area where lightweight counters used to be, you may need to install additional structural support. Concrete, also like marble or granite, is porous. If you want to avoid staining your countertops, you?ll need to make sure that they are sealed properly.

The creation of Oakland concrete counters is a bit of a double-edged sword. Since they are generally made by small companies or individual artisans, you?ll have a lot more control over the final product. They can also be poured into place and finished in the home rather than in a factory that?s miles away, so you may be able to watch the creation of your counter as it is happening (poured in place concrete counters also offer a seamless surface, which is simply not possible with natural stone counters of certain dimensions). Unfortunately, lack of mass production means that price increases dramatically. In Oakland, concrete counters are going to be just as expensive as marble or granite counters, despite the fact that concrete is a much cheaper base material.