San Francisco Concrete Countertops

Few things provide a better accent to a Bay Area kitchen than a good, solid counter. While granite, marble, and other natural stone might have history on their side, in San Francisco, concrete countertops are a newer trend that might suit your style even better. Versatile, durable, and very attractive, installing a concrete countertop in San Francisco is an alternative that can greatly enhance your kitchen space and provide more leeway than many other materials. If you are considering replacing your old counters, this material is well worth a second glance.

San Francisco Concrete Counters: General Characteristics
When most people think of concrete, the first image that comes to mind is the dull, gray slabs that are common in commercial and industrial settings. However, the concrete counters made for residential use are a far cry from the bland material used in bridges and roads. Highly polished and stained any color you desire, these fixtures can provide an excellent accent to even the most posh homes in San Francisco. Concrete countertops perform much like counters made of natural stone. Like granite or marble, concrete counters are slightly porous and must be sealed to prevent stains. Unlike natural stone, a concrete counter can be custom designed to your specification instead of depending on Mother Nature to do the designing for you.

San Francisco Concrete Countertop Benefits
Customization is the most persuasive factor in choosing concrete counters over counters of natural stone. While granite and marble get their color and pattern from mineral deposits in the soil they are quarried from, your concrete counters will get their appearance from you. They can be stained whatever hue you like, but they can also be infused with additives like metal or colored glass to create an even more unique effect. In most cases, concrete counters are not manufactured by machine, but crafted by small companies or individual artisans; this will give you even more control over what your new counter will look like!

Another benefit of installing concrete counters in San Francisco is that concrete starts off as a liquid. Though it might not seem like a big deal on the surface, because they can be poured in place, your installation can be completely seamless. Natural stone can only be found in certain sizes, which makes seams inevitable in many cases.

Drawbacks of San Francisco Concrete Counters
If you are planning on installing a concrete counter (or any natural stone counter, for that matter) weight can be an issue. If your existing counters are made of a lightweight material, you may need to supplement them with extra support.

One thing that surprises many homeowners who are considering concrete counters is the price. Concrete itself is a relatively inexpensive building material, and when compared to marble or granite which must be quarried at great expense, concrete is dirt cheap. However, a finished and installed concrete countertop is likely to cost just as much as a natural stone one. The reason for this is the lack of mass production in concrete counter manufacturing. Though the attention given by the small companies that produce San Francisco concrete countertops makes for very beautiful and unique pieces, it also drives up the price!

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