When one pictures concrete furniture, they may picture the Flintstones home. Well we’re here to tell you that concrete furniture is a thing and we think it’s wonderful. Concrete furniture can be anything from a dining room table to a bench or a book case. The options are vast! Another great thing is that concrete furniture works great inside or outside the home! Let’s look at some of the myths and truths when it comes to concrete furniture.
Myth: Furniture made out of concrete is a newer innovation
Truth: Back in 1911, the inventor of the light bulb himself, Mr. Thomas Edison, was the first person to homes made of cast-concrete (Click here to see famous concrete homes). During this time he also came up with the idea to make furniture out of concrete. His claim was that concrete furniture would be more affordable and durable than furniture made of wood, but that the furniture would be just as attractive as wood. He demonstrated his theory by using an air saturated foam concrete mixture that he invented to create multiple pieces of furniture, including cabinets for his phonographs. The air mixed into the concrete made the concrete lighter in weight. He also claimed that concrete could be stained to resemble any desired wood. His idea was too early for the generation and did not catch on, but he was correct about his theory of using concrete to create furniture, which is becoming more popular today.
Myth: Concrete furniture weighs too much
Truth: What is true is that if the concrete used to make furniture is the traditional normal weighted concrete, then yes, it will be quite heavy. The traditional concrete is actually beneficial when it is used for outdoor furniture, the weight will keep the furniture from blowing over or away in high winds. When it comes to indoor furniture at lightweight concrete mix is used to lower the weight. This idea is thanks to Mr. Edison again. Fiber reinforcements may also be used so that the furniture can be thinner without reducing the strength. Larger pieces of furniture, like conference tables and bookcases are typically cast in smaller pieces for easier transport and assembly. Sometimes, heavier concrete pieces are mounted to casters or rollers and can be transported that way.
Myth: Seating made of concrete is uncomfortable
Truth: When compared to common seating such as wrought iron or solid wood concrete is going to be no more uncomfortable than a lot of common materials. As with a lot of common hard seating materials, cushions will increase the level of comfort a lot. Although, without cushions concrete seating can still be comfortable. There are some designers that will create ergonomic curves in the seating to cradle the body comfortably.
Myth: Concrete furniture won’t look good with my decor
Truth: This myth is the most fictional of all. Concrete is very versatile and can be molded to any shape and can be colored or textured to any liking. You can literally build your concrete furniture to blend right into your existing furniture or to contrast as a statement piece. The choice is yours. (Click here to view a concrete furniture catalog).
There are so many creative and custom options for finishing concrete, but first and foremost important is the concrete itself. At Custom Concrete Creations we have state of the art equipment and a properly trained team with years of experience. Custom Concrete Creations is a premier contractor serving the Omaha area as well at the Midwest. Give us a call or send us an email for your custom concrete finishing needs today!
