Recycled steel key to stronger tops

Impervicote countertops, manufactured by Dream Fab LLC in Gravette, are a blend of recycled, 14-gauge steel sealed with a powder coating. They even stand up to flames, as demonstrated by owner Mary Snook.
Impervicote countertops, manufactured by Dream Fab LLC in Gravette, are a blend of recycled, 14-gauge steel sealed with a powder coating. They even stand up to flames, as demonstrated by owner Mary Snook.

— Concrete isn’t the only industrial material being reworked for residential use. Recycled steel is the material of choice for Gravette based Dream Fab LLC. The company produces Impervicote countertops, a proprietary manufacturing process that combines 14-gauge steel and a powder coating into a surface that’s impervious to heat, acidic foods and the elements.

“I believe we’re the only people that do this,” says Dream Fab owner Mary Snook. “We have a patent pending process.”

That process was the brainchild of Cam Klassen, a Gentry resident who just wanted to create a countertop for his new home. His family members loved the counters so much that they just had to have their own, and the business grew from there.

“He came to a point where this was not really his life choice and he wanted to sell the company,” Snook says. “I bought it five years ago.”

Most Impervicote countertops have found their way into residential spaces - in kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms.

“We’ve been doing quite a few outdoor kitchens,” Snook says. “Outdoor kitchens are very popular, and there aren’t a lot of countertop surfaces that you can put outside that are going to withstand the weather.”

The company has also provided vanities for some commercial spaces, including several assisted living centers in Cabot as well as the Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale.

The process of building an Impervicote countertop is relatively simple and has its benefits. The crew creates a template much as a concrete or granite installer would use from which they manufacture the countertops. Prices vary, but $45 per square foot installed is the average.

“Everything we do is custom-made,” Snook says. “Everything we do is seamless.”

Another definite plus is that Impervicote counters can be placed over existing countertops during a renovation.

“We can come in and put our countertop right on top of what they have almost all the time,” Snook says. “There’s no demolition. You don’t have to tear out a bunch of stuff to remodel your kitchen.”

There also isn’t a lot of downtime for families who need a functioning kitchen.

You’re using your kitchen up until the time we come to do the install,” Snook says.

You’re down maybe two to four hours.”

Impervicote counters have the added bonus of being nonporous and low maintenance. As with most surfaces, harsh chemicals and knives are possibly problematic, Snook says.

HomeStyle, Pages 34 on 06/23/2012

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