Concrete Fireplaces - Modernize your room.
December 14, 2009
Concrete Cat has done a pretty steady stream of concrete fireplaces lately. A concrete fireplace, hearth, mantle or whole surround is a quick and seamless way to modernize your room without breaking the bank or tearing out everything to start from square one. Let’s face it Edmonton, Alberta is crazy cold so it makes sense that fireplaces would be a big part of modern homes in Canada. A concrete fireplace can be made in almost any shape you want and is quite a bit cheaper than many comparable natural stone alternatives.
This first client has a beautiful brick fireplace but felt that the tile hearth really dated the whole room and was a bit too busy. We both felt that a concrete hearth was a good solution because we could clean up the lines but still provide a depth of colour and texture in the pieces.
After we replaced the hearth with concrete it really changed the overall feel and look of the room. It the clean lines almost made the room feel a touch bigger without having such a busy look in front of the brick. There already is so much texture and colour from the brick the tile really was a bit of overkill and clash of texture. We went with “stone” which is a darker natural grey but it is also a colour that with the right amount of polishing you really get some amazing colours out of it that I can’t do justice in these photos.
The second fireplace is is one that was in a brand new spec home. The home owners were in a position where they needed a home quickly and so had to buy a spec home where they did not get to choose their furnishings. In my previously lives I have worked for a few different home builders and I am always in close contact with builders so I’ll try and word this next section carefully as not too insult anyone. That being said this fireplaces characterizes what I despise in the new home and renovation market. Many of the new homes and renovations are not built to last. This entire fireplaces is built out of molded mdf!!! Are you kidding me? It’s a fireplace! I Don’t care if if it is a gas box inside that’s creating the fire it’s a complete joke that that this fireplace surround is made of mdf. Fireplaces need to be built to last, as should the rest of the home. A solid surface fireplaces looks better, last longer making it better for the environment and if designed to look timeless it can be a permanent fixture in a home not something that looks dated in 10 years.
In addition to being a fireplace that was made out of pretty shoddy materials it was also a very poor fit for the room. The fireplace was way too ornate and stuck out some what deep in an already crowded space. The concrete fireplace we replaced this with was very clean and gives the room a strong look without taking up to much room in a crowded space.
This last fireplace is just really nice. It fits the room really well and once the rest of the room is finished this will really be a showpiece. I am constantly amazed by the depth of colour that we end up getting out of concrete, it is absolutely beautiful and has so much character.
A concrete fireplace can be made to fit any room and can be designed to also fit the style you want. Installing a concrete fireplace can be done in a day and a half leaving you with very little downtime. Our concrete fireplaces are hand molded and finished making it a piece of sculpted art for your room. Design your home with a timeless elegance out of materials that are built to last, it is easier on your bank account and easier on the environment.
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