I’m going to be doing concrete countertops, endtables, and a coffee table for my house this spring. Just buying materials now, and if anyone has done it before…just looking for some tips on wheels, aggregates, nosing, integral and surface coloring, etc.
Concrete countertops? Would this be for in a kitchen? I’m familiar with granite and other similar countertops but don’t think I’ve ever seen or heard of concrete ones or perhaps just didn’t realize what I was looking at. Do you have any pics of what a concrete countertop looks like?
we have exposed aggregate in our driveway, I think that would look neat on a countertop, but maybe a PITA to clean :dunno: I’d think you would have to seal it, or the surface will be very pourous (bad for like raw chicken drippings–salmonilla… and ecoli etc)
It does have to be sealed unless it is dry polished (which I’m not doing). You do have to get a sealer that is safe too. I’m embedding a cutting board in mine since concrete isn’t good to cut on anyhow. The cutting board will be removable to clean.
Do you form-up and make the countertop elsewhere and then install it in the kitchen or is there a way to form it in place? I take it you use some type of mesh or small rebar-like reinforcement in the countertop.
I’m going to be building or potentially remodeling a home very soon and always looking for ideas.
It can be done both ways. I’m doing precast. Forming it up in my garage, polishing it there, then moving it upstairs. The countertop is going to be in smaller sections anyhow. A big countertop would have to be poured in place considering a 3’W x 6’L x 2" thick countertop would weigh roughly 450lbs. Extra bracing needs to be done too. I’m using 4x4 mesh and #3 rebar in mine. #3 around the sink knockout and tie it into the mesh. Pouring it 2.5" thick or so. Haven’t really gotten into much more of the design other than reinforcing and color.
Yep, I’ve done it before. Isn’t really that hard, doesn’t really take that long either.
Get some viscosity modifying admixutres and use alot of portland cement to get the mix really consolidated unless you like the look of holes in your countertop.
I used to do some kitchen installations, and have done 2 concrete tops. Alot of work and can be quite a mess if doing large slabs on site. It shouldnt be a problem for the DIY home owner to make some small slabs of site. Great cost effective solution to solid surface counter tops.