Nothing beats the look of concrete countertops. They’re durable, attractive, and come in an endless variety of colors and styles. This is one reason that concrete has been used for centuries throughout the world for building and home construction. While it’s definitely one of the strongest building materials on earth, it can also be very fragile and needs to be handled with care.
One thing to remember about concrete countertops is this: you don’t want something that’s too coarse or too smooth. Concrete is a tough material that won’t be damaged if it’s dropped on a concrete surface. Concrete has an unparalleled level of natural beauty. While the look of unfinished concrete can be attractive and fun, it’s not exactly something you’d want to use in your kitchen. Many decorators and architects would die for the opportunity to replicate its beauty, and for great reason: it’s the strongest material known to man. Concrete countertops aren’t scratch-resistant, but they do withstand scratches quite well, especially compared to other more delicate countertop materials like laminate or solid surface.
Concrete counters can be purchased ready-made from most home improvement stores. If you have a larger remodeling project coming up, though, it might be wise to contact a local contracting company to see if they have any good deals on concrete countertops or cement counters. It can be expensive to install concrete countertops yourself, so if you want to save money on installing your new counters, contact a contracting company to see if they can give you a great deal on the countertops. Besides saving money on labor costs, if you get a deal like that on cement countertops, it will also help you save money on the installation since you won’t have to hire Concrete Countertops Tampa to do it for you!
To protect your concrete countertops against stains and spills and extend their lives, you should also invest in some sealing products. You can buy sealers specifically made for concrete counters, or you can use a general sealer that will work on most surfaces. Be sure to choose a sealer designed for your type of surface, such as one made for concrete or a laminate made for wood. If you have any questions about which products are right for you, ask a contractor or a home improvement store clerk.
After you’ve purchased all of the necessary supplies to install your new counters, you’re ready to start the process of learning how to make concrete countertops! The first step is to cure your countertops, which will take several hours depending on the size and depth of your project. Make sure to follow any special instructions or precautions given by the manufacturer of your concrete countertops. Once the cure has been completed, your countertops will need to be sanded lightly and then sealed.
Installing and using concrete countertops can be a great way to add value to your kitchen. Besides the many pros mentioned above, you will also find that DIY concrete countertops can be less expensive than buying pre-fabricated kitchen countertop materials. There are many cons, though. One of the biggest concerns homeowners have about DIY countertop installation is that they don’t have the experience or expertise to install a countertop properly. Also, if they make any mistakes, the result can be disastrous.
There are a few different ways you can seal your concrete countertops once they have been installed. Most people choose to use a high-pressure form of water sealer, although others out there also have the ability to be used with low or zero pressure. Many homeowners who have concrete countertops in their kitchen prefer to use a high-pressure water sealer because it allows them to seal the concrete at a higher pressure and then let it dry much more slowly than other types of water-based sealers.
Most homeowners will do well to select a high-quality sealer, such as those manufactured by Abrasive Liquid Solutions. These types of sealers will cure your concrete countertops quickly and then allow them to dry extremely slowly so that tiny air bubbles don’t form and cause problems with your sealer. The type of sealer you ultimately choose will depend on how you want your concrete countertops to look and what they’re going to be used for. For example, if you have very little use for your concrete countertops, then it’s probably not necessary to spend the extra money on an expensive abrasive liquid solution cure. If you have a high-use countertop and you’re looking for a fast cure, then you will want to buy a low-pressure curing sealer like the one manufactured by Behr.