Unlocking Design Advantages with Seamless Concrete
One of the chief advantages of designing with concrete is that it permits the ability to create pieces that are single, seamless objects. Seamless objects can offer architects and designers several advantages over objects that are assembled from smaller components. Some of these advantages are functional, some are aesthetic – and some are both. Let’s take a look.
Strength & Durability
Sinks
Whether residential or commercial, seamless concrete sinks are inherently strong due to their lack of miter welds and basin cut-outs and will not be subject to leaking or separating. They are more uniform and convenient in that there is no need to pair them with undermount basins made of other materials.
Consequently, seamless concrete sinks are easier to clean and are more hygienic—offering no channels or crevices for microbes or mold to inhabit. Finally, they present beautifully and have a bespoke, high-quality appearance.
This wood-look sink would be challenging to create using actual wood without it being susceptible to splitting, cracking, or warping. Concrete enables the creation of seamless pieces with precise details and in thicknesses that can be dictated by the designer or fabricator and not the material itself. As they will be far more durable, such objects can also be created with peace of mind.
Uniform Design
Kitchen IslandsDesign uniformity is the holy grail of the built space. It exudes quality, professionalism, and attention to detail - all while exhibiting the sense of harmony intended by the designer.
Due to their large surface areas and prominent display, there are few examples where seamless design would be more beneficial than in islands and countertops. Concrete is ideal for designing such large or complex surfaces for several reasons. First, concrete can be cast into exceptionally long pieces or dynamic pieces featuring angles, curves, L-shapes, or other variations. Depending on the project, certain countertops and islands may be cast with no seams at all.
Second, continuous surfaces create a modern and minimalist aesthetic that can complement various design styles. The seamless finish eliminates grout lines, making spaces appear larger and more cohesive.
Finally, seam locations are not restricted by slab size and are instead determined by the fabricator. If seams are in fact required for the project, the right fabricator will place them in strategic locations to ensure a successful installation while minimizing any aesthetic disruption of the surface.
This large concrete island on the left is 60” wide and about 8 feet long – a size that would be difficult
to achieve with a lot of other materials. The large Woodform Concrete island slab shown on the right is 17ft long x 48” wide and was designed to simulate a single slab of wood with live edge details on either side. The ability to dictate this level of specificity is something unique to concrete.
Fireplaces
A single-piece concrete fireplace surround offers a dynamic, cost-effective and easy-to-install alternative to more traditional fireplaces. With a wide range of design options, broad applicability, and low maintenance requirements, it's no wonder that many homeowners are opting for concrete fireplaces when designing or remodeling their homes. Can be used for in-wall, open hearth, freestanding, ventless gas, and outdoor fireplaces.
Oversized Tabletops
Seamless tabletops are a wonderful expression of all the benefits of concrete in a single piece. A uniform table not only broadcasts a high-end look, but it is far more all-season as well. Seamlines tend to be places where grime, pollen, and water can collect.
Concrete can be employed to achieve the look of a substantial table complete with a perceived thickness not available through other materials. A “faux” edge enables us to make the piece lighter but still achieve the look of a thicker tabletop.
It goes without saying that an oversized table allows you to gather more friends and family in one place at the same time. There’s literally room for everyone at your table without divisions of any kind.
Dynamic Shapes
Curved Bar Tops
If your ideal design includes long, uninterrupted curves, concrete might be your ideal solution. This bar top features a sweeping 90-degree arc comprising a single slab. Not only is the foundational shape undisturbed, but the highly-detailed edge texture remains untarnished.
Design Flexibility
Art Panels
One example in which the benefits of seamlessness is most apparent is in panels. Concrete affords the ability to cast pieces with 90-degree angles, curves, and numerous other shapes. In this case, two separate sides of this abstract concrete panel were cast as a single piece – guaranteeing a perfect corner that doesn’t interrupt the artistic design.
Fireplace Perfection
This board-formed fireplace surround was fabricated with 90-degree corners to improve installation, durability and precision while offering an enhanced wood-look aesthetic.
Leak-proof Objects
Outdoor Planters Another benefit to seamlessness is the ability to form containers that will not leak. These custom concrete planters are not only single, impenetrable objects, but they were cast in concrete to match the patio pavers. In this way, seamlessness takes on another dimension – that of finding harmony with a larger, outdoor design scheme.
Designing with concrete offers unparalleled advantages in creating seamless, durable, and aesthetically pleasing objects. From sinks to kitchen islands, fireplaces, and outdoor planters, the flexibility and strength of concrete enable architects and designers to achieve unique and functional designs that are both modern and practical. The ability to craft single, uninterrupted pieces not only enhances the durability and hygiene of the objects but also provides greater design flexibility, making concrete a preferred choice for innovative and cohesive design solutions.