CEMENTING good design

CONCRETE is durable, affordable, low-maintenance, doesn’t deplete natural resources and done right, downright stylish.

DRIVE TIME

Your driveway says a lot about what’s beyond it. Whether you’re building new, or replacing an existing driveway, choose a surface that suits your site, lifestyle and house. Concrete is readily available, low-maintenance, good for sloping sites, you can DIY it, and there countless cool ways to use it; think exposed aggregate, coloured, stamped, pebble or grass inserts, creative cuts to resemble pavers big or small. ‘Fancy’ requires a professional touch, so hire the right people. Be clear on what you want – show photos – to ensure the contractor understands the job, and whether they can do. Difficult sites, and complicated jobs cost more, so quotes are essential.

FLOORED

When choosing flooring for your new home or renovation, consider aesthetics, budget, durability, installation and maintenance. Concrete has done loyal service in garages and workshops but it’s also popular for striking interiors. It can be polished, etched, dyed or stained, for a bold, rustic or industrial chic look. It’s relatively inexpensive, durable, requires less energy than other floor types to produce and is poured locally. It inhibits mould, mildew and odours, so is good for indoor air quality. It absorbs then re-releases warm and cool air, ideal in passive home design. However, it is hard and cold underfoot so perhaps consider underfloor heating. It is also slippery, unforgiving to dropped items, and can crack. Get expert advice before ‘buying’.

ON THE BENCH

Concrete kitchen benchtops have been a ‘thing’ for years, and are increasingly being seen in bathrooms. Many are ‘all in one’, incorporating a sink or basin. Done right, concrete benchtops are attractive, strong and durable, but should be reinforced for strength and to resist cracking, and sealed to protect it from stains and heat from pots. Misused, it will scratch, but so will most other products.