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When considering materials to use around the home, concrete is often not people’s first choice. This grey synthetic material makes many of us think of ugly tower blocks, multi-storey car parks and prison buildings. It’s a material many of us view as depressing and drab.
But concrete doesn’t have to be depressing and drab. In fact, used in the right ways, concrete can be charming and even luxurious. It offers the strength of natural stone while being much easier to shape. And it’s much cheaper than natural stone. This allows it to be used in many practical and decorative ways. Below are a few examples.
Examples of how concrete can be used in the home
Driveways
Concrete driveways are known for being able to withstand heavy loads and are very durable against the elements. They’re also low maintenance – they’re less prone to weeds than other driveways and removing snow and ice is easy. Nowadays concrete can be coloured and stamped. This can make it possible to mimic various stone materials and patterns from terracotta tiles to cobbled bluestone.
Swimming pools
Using concrete, it’s possible to design swimming pools in all kinds of intricate shapes. You can easily add slopes, hot tubs or even bridges – and you can do it all very affordably. Concrete swimming pools are also very resilient against an array of weather conditions, helping to reduce maintenance. If they do crack, these cracks can be easily filled in.
Fire pits
Concrete is naturally resistant to high temperatures. It’s less likely to warp or crack than some other materials commonly used to build fire pits. You can also explore all kinds of shapes including large bowls, square slabs or large chimineas – plus you can build concrete benches around the pit.
Countertops
An alternative material to consider for your countertops could be concrete. Due to its excellent heat and stain resistance, concrete can make a great choice for kitchen worktops. Concrete countertops can be polished to add a shine, and can be coloured and textured to mimic natural stone. That said, some people may prefer the rough and grey industrial look that can pair well with unfinished wooden cabinets and metal pendant lights.
Interior walls
Concrete can also be plastered onto interior walls to give them a sophisticated stony look. It can be a great material to use for a feature wall in a living room or a kitchen. Concrete can also make a great wall surface in a bathroom – it’s waterproof and easy to wipe down, plus you can shape it to imitate tiles (without having to worry about cleaning pesky grouting)
Walk-in showers
When designing a walk-in shower, don’t dismiss concrete. This material is easy to shape, making it possible to add recessed shelves for toiletries and other details. Concrete can also be coloured and textured to mimic natural stone at a fraction of the price, allowing you to design a luxurious looking walk-in shower on a tight budget. It’s worth noting that concrete can also be used to build other bathroom features such as sink basins and even ornate bath tubs.
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