As a homeowner, you probably have a few structures made of concrete on your property, such as a driveway, patio, or a floor. Concrete is an excellent choice for these structures because it’s incredibly strong, durable, versatile, cost-effective, and readily available.
Perhaps because concrete is so widely adopted, it’s considered by many homeowners to be an uninspiring building material. However, thanks to technological advancements and some creativity, concrete can be just as attractive as more expensive construction materials such as wood, glass, stone, and brick.
1. Architectural Concrete Finishes
Architectural concrete gives homeowners the resilience of traditional concrete with the beauty of more luxurious materials. Here are some examples of such a finish:
- Stamped Concrete: This architectural concrete system cleverly recreates the quintessential finish of lavish natural stone at a lower cost. Stamped concrete can be customized to suit a variety of styles in homes.
- Limestone Finish: This popular finish offers homeowners the slick and modern finish of genuine limestone at a more affordable price. Unlike authentic limestone, this finish is durable and maintenance-free.
It’s essential to find a reputable, experienced, and skilled contractor to complete an architectural finish in order to avoid disappointment. A company like Elite Concrete is an excellent option because they’ve been serving their community for two decades and have won multiple awards. They’re known for surpassing industry standards by using top-quality materials and combining old-school craftsmanship with cutting edge technology. What’s more, they’re also pioneers of certain architectural concrete finishes.
2. Translucent Concrete Walls
Also known as light-transmitting concrete, this material combines concrete with thousands of optical elements such as optical fibres, which act like aggregate. The optical elements conduct light from one end of translucent concrete to another for a beautiful look. While one side of the concrete looks shiny, the other features atmospheric shadows and silhouettes.
Interestingly, translucent concrete has nearly the same load-bearing strength as regular concrete. Although the material is mostly used in impressive-looking walls, it can also create fabulous looking driveways and floors.
3. Accent Structures
Even basic concrete can enhance the look of your home with some imagination. For example, an accent wall made of regular grey concrete can make for a striking interior design feature. Textured with blond woods, chestnut doors, or inviting linens, a concrete accent wall can elevate a bedroom, drawing room, kitchen, or bathroom.
Alternatively, a solitary concrete fireplace matched with a wooden floor can take your living room to the next level. Not only does a concrete fireplace look attractive, but it’s also safer than a regular fireplace due to concrete’s fire-resistant properties.
4. Concrete Objects
You can still decorate with concrete without making a sizable investment. Use smaller concrete objects such as planters, bookends, candleholders, and coffee tables to spice up your home on a budget.
These are four unconventional ways you can use concrete to decorate your home. Not only is concrete practical, but it can be artistic too. And with the services of a great contractor, you can use concrete to make your home the envy of the neighborhood.
