do it yourself concrete countertops

How To Install Concrete Countertops

Because good countertop information is so hard to come by, we want to make it easier for you. We have the best information that you will read online about do it yourself concrete countertops, and we want to help guide you through the remodeling stages of your kitchen.

Concrete is commonly used in construction today to resemble other building materials. In fact concrete has become so popular it is being used to design unique, distinctive countertops which when completed look just like natural stone. So why not consider installing do it yourself concrete countertops.

Of course there are easy methods of getting a new countertop. Pouring concrete is heavy and messy work and it definitely takes some time. But the payoff is a countertop that looks fabulous, is affordable, and lasts a lifetime.

Concrete counters aren't new to the world, only to North America. They have been used throughout the world for centuries. So are you ready to find out how it's done and get busy building your own countertop?

First of there are some things you should know.

1. You'll need a dry, heated space outside where you can work in the early stages.

2. Pick up your concrete, and the pigment you'll need. For the darker colors start with pre-mixed concrete. For lighter colors you will need to make your concrete from white Portland cement and mason's sand, combined with pea gravel.

1. Start by making the form - Make your form from inch plywood coated with melamine. The melamine helps the concrete dry slower so then it is stronger. It also stops sticking.

2. Join the sides to the bottom using drywall screws.

3. After it's built you won't be able to drill or cut the slab so you need to create any voids for sinks and range tops using plywood blockouts. Make your blockouts the same height as the sides and then secure to the form's bottom.

4. Pour the concrete - you can fortify the slab with diamond lath, polypropylene fibers, and reinforcing rod which will make it stronger.

5. Install #3 rebar around the sink cutout.

6. Once you've got all your measuring and cutting done it's time to mix the concrete. You'll mix it in layers so minimize the time between each layer.

7. How durable your concrete will be will depend on the how your concrete is mixed. Blend the dry ingredients thoroughly You'll use a mason's hoe to do so.

8. Next measure your liquid ingredient

9. Mix the dry and liquid ingredients together alternating a little at a time.

10. To strengthen your mix you need to add 2 quarts of Portland cement to every 60 pound bag of pre-mix.

11. Concrete always cracks during the curing process but the diamond lath, polypropylene fibers, and reinforcing rod will keep the cracking minimal and tight.

12. Remember that exposed surface areas will need to be fiber-free. If you added the poly-fiber you'd get fuzz and you can't sand it off. So fill the middle with reinforced concrete and then finish the top with a regular layer.

13. Different batches of concrete are going to need to bond together and look seamless so it's important to keep the color and consistency of the concrete the same for each batch. That means no guessing. Measure everything exactly!

14. Your concrete needs to be damp enough to form a ball....

Page 2: How To Install Concrete Countertops

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