Concrete -It's NOT just for driveways anymore. Drawn to its durability and understated beauty, more homeowners are incorporating low-maintenance concrete elements into their homes, replacing their kitchens' linoleum and synthetic work surfaces with concrete tiles and countertops, and adding concrete backsplashes, tub surrounds, and sinks to their bathrooms. Small wonder, since concrete is one of the most versatile yet unlauded building materials. In recent years, concrete has emerged from its traditional use - as a foundation - and proved it can serve other uses with style, longevity, and a bit of attitude. Concrete is not cement, although it contains cement, which is a fine, gray powder. Add sand and/or rock, plus water and a few lesser additives, and you have concrete. In the right hands, concrete can grace any room in your home and give it a personality all its own.

Floors

Once the domain of outdoor patios, concrete floors have come inside. A concrete floor can be poured directly onto a properly reinforced subfloor, or it can be installed over an existing floor in the form of concrete tiles of virtually any size or shape, although square is most common. No two tiles look the same, since they are often handmade. Their appearance on the floor is one-of-a-kind - the perfect solution for homeowners who dislike the predictable patterns of mass-produced flooring products. Infused color, a process that can turn a drab gray floor into a surface reminiscent of the American Southwest or an Italian piazza, is a popular choice for many homeowners who select concrete. The treatment is almost as simple as making cookie dough: A dye, usually in powder form, is mixed into the concrete before water is added. The result is striking and lasts as long as the concrete itself. With the right finish, it's sometimes difficult to distinguish a concrete-tile floor from a (more expensive) high quality, marble-tile floor. Another tactic is to press stones, shells, or smooth glass "rocks" into the concrete before it hardens, creating durable, appealing mosaics.

Kitchen And Bath Uses

Precast concrete countertops, backsplashes, tub surrounds, and sinks now crop up in a growing number of American homes. Sleek and solid, these elements complement almost any decor. The options for including concrete in your kitchen and bath are varied, says Buddy Rhodes of Buddy Rhodes Studio, a finished- concrete manufacturer in San Francisco. Using molds and a variety of finishing techniques, including troweling and handpressing, he makes kitchen and bath products, including vanity tops, tabletops, custom-cast sinks and tubs, shower basins, and floor and wall tiles. But his most popular client request is for kitchen countertops. Rhodes' studio delivers countertops in 12 standard colors. A custom color can be created for a nominal fee. Each countertop is created using a template that is based on measurements supplied by the homeowner or contractor. For strength and durability, galvanized wire mesh serves as each countertop's skeleton; the surface is sanded smooth and sealed with a penetrating concrete sealer. Once installed, the countertop functions as well as more common countertop materials.

Installation

As with other concrete elements, a concrete countertop can be installed with far less hassle than you might think. If you or your contractor have marble- or granite-installation experience, it can be done in a similar time frame. The process is virtually identical, too. For a countertop installation, a plywood substrate is fastened to the floor cabinets. The countertop rests on top of the plywood and is made fast with construction adhesive. Easy as pie.

The Bottom Line

Concrete products carry a hefty price tag. Compared to granite/marble and solid surfacing, for example, a concrete countertop will run about 50 to 400 percent more, respectively. A concrete-tile floor should cost about three to four times more than a typical linoleum floor, but is usually comparable to the average marble-tile floor. For many homeowners, an investment in concrete is a small price to pay. They appreciate the alternative to the polished look of granite and marble, and to the sterile appearance of synthetic countertops. Concrete's handmade appearance and unique texture is warm, earthy, organic - even comforting. The hairline cracks that sometimes appear in the concrete only add to its authenticity and won't threaten its structural soundness. With proper care, it can last a lifetime.

MAINTENANCE & CARE

Use these guidelines to give a little TLC to the concrete elements in your home. They'll repay you with decades of trouble-free service.

Courtesy Of Buddy Rhodes Studio