Thinking about buying concrete countertops in Atlanta? Concrete countertops have grown in popularity with kitchen designers and trendy homeowners over the last few years. They mainly are used for ultra-modern and minimalistic designs. However, homeowners have seen the trends on tv, online, and magazines and have jumped on board. But are they actually a good countertop material? Should you buy them? Or are they going to pass like many other design trends over the years.
Atlanta Concrete Countertops Vs Granite Countertops
There are different types of countertop materials. The focus of this blog article is on two countertop materials: granite countertops vs concrete countertops. Kitchens are one of the major areas where we have countertops installed. Kitchens actually are one of the most popular renovation projects for homeowners, and that is always for a good reason. They are the hub of the home where we spend most of the time. Granite has always been popular option for countertops in the kitchen and recently concrete has come into the scene as an option. In this blog article, you will discover why granite countertops in Atlanta are better than concrete countertops. Keep reading to learn more
concrete countertop
Appearance of Concrete Countertops and Granite Countertops
Granite is a natural stone which is acquired from the ground and cut into slabs. It is a combination of various natural elements such as quartz, feldspar and other minerals. Each piece of granite is unique with deep hues and natural variations. The natural appearance of granite is something that is really loved by homeowners. The look of granite is simply hard to resist.
Concrete is simply a mix of cement and aggregate. An aggregate is actually crushed limestone or sand that is added to the cement mix in order to increase the strength or add color or text to the end product. The surface of concrete countertops is polished in order to make it smooth. Due to the use of aggregate, concrete countertops are usually available in a wide range of colors and shapes. Also, there are certain items that can be embedded in the concrete slab such as colored glass or seashell just to improve the appearance of the countertop.
Durability and Maintenance of Concrete Countertops and Granite
Both granite and concrete countertops are strong and durable. A granite countertop can be susceptible to scratches and stains from acidic spills. Concrete countertops are susceptible to scratch too. However, both materials are strong enough to handle all normal activities in the kitchen.
Granite countertops can actually be sealed. A seal ensures that no stains will get through the porous materials, thus there will no staining. Concrete is basically more susceptible to staining than granite. Sealers can also be used on concrete they are still unable to completely solve the issues of staining, and therefore, the sealers might need to be replaced more often than granite. Granite requires to be resealed once every year.
Environment Impact
Both granite and concrete countertops emit polluting particles into the air and water. There have been certain health concerns that have emerged with the use of both countertops as food preparation services. The concerns are not considered serious.
Granite has been established to have the ability to emit possibly high levels of radon. Concrete, on the other hand, contains heavy metals that are present in the pigments and finishing materials which are harmful to the environment and a health threat. Also, the production of concrete requires a lot of energy and leads to the emission of greenhouse gasses.
Increased Home Value
Granite countertops have always been known to increase the value of your home. Many people who shop for homes, do not have concrete countertops in their list of wants in their desired homes. Concrete countertops rarely help in terms of overall valuation. Home buyers mainly pay attention to homes with granite countertops and others like marble and quartz.
concrete countertop
Conclusion
Both granite and concrete countertops are high-quality and good options for your kitchen remodeling. Concrete countertops give you unlimited customization efforts because you can always have beautiful items such as colored glasses embedded in the slab. Granite has more natural beauty and offers both a countertop and piece of art to your kitchen. Both countertop materials have competitive prices but generally granite is cheaper. If you are looking for something that is easy to maintain and has unique colors with deep all sorts of natural variations granite would be the perfect option.
Whatever you choose depends on your personal needs. Design trends are nice and if you’re going for ultra-modern or minimalistic than by all means pick concrete. However, if you plan to sell your home someday, value quality, and natural beauty then granite is most likely the better choice.
