Countertops

Sinks

Floors

Concrete Care

"How To"

Boggs Construction
PO Box 99707
Emeryville, CA 94662

510.428.1412 Office 484.782.2819 Efax

EMAIL

 CONCRETE IS IN...

     When the craftsmen of Boggs Construction create concrete flooring, counter tops, sinks, showers, bathtubs from concrete, it looks nothing like a foundation, sidewalk or driveway, although some may think�and because of this, it�s growing in popularity.

When Doug Boggs first started working with concrete in 1981, he began thinking and saw the possibilities�today, with his experience, he finds the possibilities to be limitless...

"In my mind, as an artisan in concrete I feel that when you reach for the cutting edge of kitchen, bath, or garden designs, you need to think concrete. You need to begin to think color outside of sidewalk grey. You need to think 'beyond the bag', as I put it. Different is what many of my clients are looking for."

Over the years I have become a highly respected concrete specialist in decorative concrete. My work has been seen on the Cable Television Channel . We handle anything from stained or tinted floors or countertops to custom sinks, showers, resurfacing of pool decks...you can do pretty much anything you want with concrete. You can add glass, stones, seashells, silicon chips, brass rods, integrate wood or granite cutting blocks...anything. We recently included imported black micro-stones, from Indonesia, to a mix for an effect...very nice. We have a new sink design without a bowl. Wow! For this I say, "one must think outside the bowl."

Is granite passe? Limestone? Slate? These and other type stones have become so commonplace in high-end homes, that it is to be expected. To the uninitiated, �concrete� sounds cold and heavy. But, when worked right, it can be a warm natural-looking material that works well with wood, stone or brick. Concrete has become a sophisticated material used for endless applications. Its being used throughout bars, resturaunts, office buildings and many other commercial environments. It's durability is its driving force for this interest.The taupe-green natural color teams easily with dark wood floors, white walls and stainless steel appliances for an ultra contemporary look. But, now, with the right inegrated colors, stains or edging details, I believe concrete can work with just about any design look. Lightweight and many times seamless, the new concrete can even be formed into complex shapes. Above all�as a functional decorative surface�concrete is different and unique.

�People are after a unique look. They want to make a statement. Something with more character and craftsmanship.� I have worked with concrete since graduating high school, as a pre-stress/pre-fabricated bridge builder working with my brother, who is an award winning civil engineer.

After working with and experimenting with various formulas, I have been producing concrete items for over ten years. I have shipped concrete counter tops, sinks and tables across the United States, created a custom bath/shower enclosure for a private estate in the California Wine Country, installed countless square feet of countertop space in residential and commercial environments throughout California. He has also acted as constultant on various projects in California, Texas, Arizona and Florida.

The cost of concrete countertops generally runs about the same as a granite counter top--anywhere from $100 to $135 a square foot in the San Francsico/Bay Area . The difference with concrete though allows the client to create something that would never be able to be made using sources such as granite, marble, tiles or any other standard product. Because the process is labor intensive and requires intricate hand work in making the forms each piece would be unique in its own right. In nearly every case the forms need to be developed specific for that project. Many clients go for the standard colors and outcome, although with more insight and creative design possibilities the products can range dramatically.

With most clients the first question is, �What is it and what does it look like?� People usually think immediately about the garage floor tone, although there is now a variety of standard colors to choose from. One can also have the concrete tinted to match almost anything, if necessary. The unique look combined with easy care (soap-and-water cleanup and once-in-a-while waxing) it's no wonder why clients plan their bathrooms and kitchens with concrete. Even though the look is still a bit of the ordinary and can be a stretch for some people it will withstand the test of time. We always try to help our clients think and plan for re-sell. The average homebuyer stays in their homes about 5 years in our local real estate market, and I am confident that with the new wave of interest this will not be a problem for the future sale and design decisions.

The counter tops are more than functional�they�re functional art. Clients need to understand that each piece has a life of it�s own. It will lighten or darken over time. It�s a working, usable piece of art. I have created my own concrete designer mix which includes acrylics, polymers, combination of white and dark cements, and/or additives to reduce the amount of water and air for stronger concrete. I now have a line of products and DVD's for sale for the homeowner and contractor wishing to do their projects themselves.

     NOTE: For those doing their own projects, be careful—hairline cracks are inherent to cement. Concrete is porous and will stain unless it is sealed properly. Boggs uses sealers that keeps most kitchen culprits�wine, ketchup and mustard�controlled. Olive oil is still a tough one. It can penetrate most sealers if left on it overnight. Just off the burner pots shouldn�t be put directly on the counter, not because it could damage the concrete but because it could hurt the sealer. Cutting directly on the counter top is discouraged for the same reason.