How To Do Concrete Countertops
When choosing counters for your newly built or renovated kitchen, you will come across numerous materials for building your countertops. From quartz to formica you have loads of different varieties to choose from. Each material has its own pros and cons but there’s nothing as strong and sturdy as concrete for your kitchen. And they are a very simple DIY project to be made at home. Do you also want to know how to do concrete countertops? Here’s the way the professionals at K&B Cabinets do it.
Concrete countertops are super strong and extremely resistant to everyday wear and tear caused by splashed soups, spilled food or the heavy brunt of pots and pans. Another added advantage is that anyone can learn how to do concrete countertops. And on top of that, they are super affordable and they can also be given adorable looks. This makes having concrete countertops very advantageous and cost effective for you. So without further ado, let’s begin our step by step guide on how to do kitchen countertops.
How To Do Concrete Countertops
Step One: Prepare a Template
Take the measurements and adjustments required for your countertop. Then choose a design for your countertop and prepare a template for molding. Keep in mind to take a few millimeters extra to keep room for sanding, polishing and finishing later.
Step Two: Build the Mold Design
Use a melamine coated particle board to cut out the shapes and designs for your mold and join them together to create a mold for casting the countertop. Keep the corners airtight to prevent any outflow of wet concrete when you pour it in.
Three: Mix the Concrete
Mix sand, water, loose gravel and cement to prepare a concrete mix. Add just enough water to keep the consistency of the concrete semi solid like. The concrete should be able to flow but should also be able to retain its shape to a certain extent.
Four: Pour in the Concrete
Pour the concrete in the mold that you created. Keep vibrating the mold by either striking it constantly with light blows from a hammer or putting the mold on top of a table vibrator. The vibrations make the air bubbles escape thus giving a consistent composition throughout the countertop without any crack lines.
Step Five: Demold the Cast Countertop
After 3-4 days disassemble the mold to take out the concrete countertop. This is still young and weak, so you need to put water in it on regular intervals for more 3-4 days before proceeding any further.
Step Six: Sand and Polish the Countertop
Sand the countertop to remove any coarse surfaces and edges. Then polish your concrete countertop with coarse diamond polishing pads that tend to expose aggregate material by cutting deep into the concrete. Then use a finer pad for a more uniform finish.
Now you just need to paint and wax your countertop and it is ready to be installed. Today we have discussed how to do concrete countertops. You can also contact us at K&B Cabinets for any further help or professional assistance.
