Why You Should Consider Concrete Countertops

Why You Should Consider Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops have been around for a while, but only recently have people begun to understand just how worthwhile this material is. Indeed, many are now even preferring it over the typical materials such as marble and granite, due to the fact that a concrete countertop is both durable and smooth and yet it costs a fraction of the price. Indeed, concrete countertops cost much less than other materials, and the price can decrease even more if you choose to do a DIY concrete countertop project. We will dive into the details of DIY concrete countertops, but before we will outline the advantages that they hold.

What You Need to Know About Concrete Countertops

The beauty of concrete countertops is the fact that they are unique in terms of design as you can create a slab in virtually any shape, size, and color. In addition, you are able to create slabs that are entirely seamless; that way, you hardly have any seams, which would cost you a fortune to do with any other material. In the case that you do need to make a seam, though, you can easily disguise them with a concrete finish. It is also worth pointing out that this is one of the more eco-friendly countertop materials that, as we mentioned earlier, are incredibly cost-efficient, too.

When it comes to the shape, you can choose to either get it created in a shop, also known as precast, or at home, otherwise known as cast in place. Getting it precast is a cleaner process, but it does make it more challenging to get the exact shape or design that you want. In addition, transporting it from one place to another can be both expensive and risky as there is a chance that it can get damaged along the way. It is especially impractical if you have a very large and heavy slab. As a result, it is often recommended that you get your concrete slab cast in place. In this case, the mold is formed, and the concrete is poured directly into the space that you would like to add your concrete. Regardless of the method that you choose, though, you can either hire a contractor to do the work for you, or you can do it yourself, saving you a lot of money. While they may have more experience, doing it on your own is a much more rewarding process that isn’t as difficult to accomplish as you may currently think. Indeed, with the right resources, tools, materials, and mindset, there’s no doubt that you can create your slab. We do suggest, though, that you do the right research before to make sure that you know and that you need to know before. Otherwise, you should be good to go! To give you an idea of what you can expect out of the concrete countertop making process, we have outlined some of the main steps.

How to Make a Concrete Countertop

The first thing that you will need to do is measure, cut out, and place a concrete board on top of the base of your cabinet. Once you have attached it properly, you will need to add forms around it, which will help create the edges for the concrete countertop. You can create the mold manually with wood, or you can use our Z-Counterform System, by Concrete Countertop Solutions, so that you can create the edge that you desire without having to put in a lot of time and energy trying to accomplish the same with wood. With these unique forms, all you have to do is measure them correctly so that they fit the board and then attach them onto it. Make sure that you take into account things like sinks and faucets, for example. Once everything is set in place, you need to add reinforcements before you can finally begin pouring in the concrete. While you can simply add rods, it is easier and more effective to add in our Mesh Reinforcement combined with our Z-Clips. As soon as your foundation is complete, you are ready to begin working on the actual concrete slab.

When it comes to making the concrete mix, there isn’t really much to it besides mixing all of the proper ingredients together. All that we suggest is that you make sure to follow the instructions, as that is the best way to ensure that you end up with the toothpaste consistency that you want. In addition, this way, you will know that your slab of concrete will end up nice and sturdy as soon as it is dry. When you do end up reaching the right consistency, though, then you are ready to begin pouring the mix into your mold.

As you gradually pour in the mold, make sure that you use a magnesium float to smooth out the surface as well as ensure that all of the corners get filled in. In addition, you will want to tap the edges of your mold to keep air bubbles from forming in the process. A few make still end up appearing in the end, but it’s nothing to worry about because this can easily be disguised once your slab is dry. As soon as your mold is filled, though, now you have to play the waiting game until it is completely dry.

When your concrete slab is finally dry, all you have to do is snap off your edges, and you will be greeted with your handmade concrete countertop! Add some putty to any air bubbles that have appeared and take a steel trowel to get rid of any imperfections that may have appeared. Then, all you have to do is seal it for protection, and you are good to go! For those who do want to add some color, you can either add dye to the concrete mix before you pour, or you can use a strainer before the sealer for a more patterned design. Otherwise, though, your concrete countertop is complete!

I'm from Concrete Countertop Solutions team. Our company was founded in 2009 from a simple idea:"There must be an easier way to build beautiful concrete countertops."It was a growing interest from customers that lead us into the world of countertops.