All right then, we have already established that the use of concrete countertops, sinks and vanities is an emerging trend in bathroom décor that is quickly picking up momentum as homeowners begin to realize the versatility of the material. Down at the 10th annual Buildex Calgary Show I was fortunate enough to be able to talk with Mario Falconi, the owner of Concrete Innovations Ltd., a company serving the Calgary market since early 2000. We had a fairy in-depth talk about the benefits and timeless nature of concrete and where he sees concrete fitting into the home as a viable alternative surface and fabrication material for home improvement and renovation in the years to come.

"Summary: Concrete Innovations talks about the benefits and timeless nature of concrete. Concrete is one of those surface materials that is a very durable and versatile and your concrete countertop can last a very long time with minimal maintenance. Concrete is naturally porous and must be sealed. Your sealed concrete surface will resist staining and typical surface damage from everyday use. According to Concrete Innovations, while your concrete countertop is normally sealed to resist staining and surface damage, just like marble or granite, exposing the surface to sharp objects could potentially mar the surface by scratching off the sealant, leaving the bare concrete surface beneath vulnerable to stains and discoloration."

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Concrete is pliable and can be easily moulded and manipulated when wet. It virtually has no boundaries design wise, it is timeless, earthy and can be used to express your unique vision. Each hand-made piece is a distinct one of a kind masterpiece that only you have in your bathroom. Yet because this is a relatively new fabrication material to the general public for use inside their homes, we have had numerous questions on the best way to clean and maintain concrete countertops, sinks and vanities in your lavatory to preserve its beauty, integrity and lasting performance.

The good part is that not very much maintenance is needed to sustain and preserve the beauty of the concrete’s finish. One thing you should be aware of though is just like natural stone; concrete is naturally porous and must be sealed. A good rule of thumb is to wax your bathroom countertop approximately once a week for the first thirty days when you initially get it installed, then you can get away with about two or three times a year after that. While your concrete countertop is normally sealed to resist staining and surface damage, just like marble or granite, exposing the surface to sharp objects could potentially mar the surface by scratching off the sealant, leaving the bare concrete surface beneath vulnerable to stains and discoloration.

With sensible care, your sealed concrete surface will resist staining and typical surface damage from everyday use, however you should consciously be aware that acidic liquids like lemon juice, vinegar, ammonia or even red wine ought to be avoided because they could potentially damage the sealant. Clean up of these liquids should be done immediately to minimize any adverse affects. The use of a sealant and wax is a good way to minimize staining and buffing regularly helps maintain a look of lustre to your concrete and in-avertedly preserves the sealants durability.

Another thing you should avoid is the use of abrasive pads or cleansers to clean up any mess. This is best done using a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap or a mild neutral pH balanced cleaner. If you are unsure of the affects of a cleaner then you can test it in a not easily seen spot such as underneath your vanity or at a back corner. Avoid placing hot curling irons or anything that generates large amounts of heat on your concrete countertop surface as this may cause discoloration. Also if there are subsequent fluctuations or variations in temperature, overtime hairline cracks could potentially occur but this does not normally apply in a controlled home or bathroom environment. However, if a hairline crack does occur in the concrete, your countertop should be resealed immediately.

Concrete is one of those materials that evolves over time and due to the nature of the material, integral color variation will naturally occur giving the surface character. It is a very durable and versatile material and can last a very long time with minimal maintenance; all you have to do is follow the proper care for your concrete countertop, sink or vanity to maintain the materials integral natural beauty.

If you would like to know more about the proactive approach to design and new developments in concrete that Concrete Innovations has to offer contact them at:

Studio & Showroom
#12, 5660 10th St. NE
Calgary, AB T2E 8W7
Fax: 403.295.9290
http://www.concreteinnovations.ca/

A wooden sink in your bathroom is another way of setting your lavatory apart from the ordinary! Giving your washroom a distressed look is also a creative way of sprucing up your loo that is visually interesting and fun to do. Just by simply changing your counter top sink faucet with a newer stylish model can make your restroom look new again. Do you have a boring tap design, if you are looking for a countertop faucet that is not only innovative but visually appealing as well then check out the Kohler-Bol-Series Lavatory Faucet and be wowed. Purchasing a new sink can be fun and exciting but before you buy anything you should know about the top 5 bathroom sink materials so you can make an informed decision. Here is information on the 10 top selling brands of faucets at Modern Bathroom that is also informative. Still want more, then check out twenty-five fabulous kitchen and bathroom faucets on Trend Hunter. And this article talks about what you should know about modern faucet design. There is a rumor going around that all bathroom lavatory sinks are all washed up read on to find out the truth. And this one talks about trends in bathroom tap finishes that is also interesting. Here is some more information on lavatory countertop materials made simple. Learn how to install a shower pan made easy by this tutorial. There are things you ought to know before adding a powder room in your basement. And you too can learn how to install a pedestal sink after reading this document. Navien tankless water heaters are becoming a popular way to heat water in your home. Here are eight tips on choosing the right vanity for your water closet.

Please check out our categories on washroom renovation, sensible bathroom design, restroom remodeling, lav trends and some interesting bath product reviews for the latest information.

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