How to Pour Concrete Countertops

How to Pour Concrete Countertops

Concrete countertops are the thing that you require in order to make the boring parts of your home look attractive and beautiful. And the best part: they can be made at your home. This is why many homeowners are searching the web for how to pour concrete countertops. To get the answer, read on.

With the advancements in technology and design ideas, concrete countertops have definitely come a long way forward from the boring slabs of the past. Now they can be poured in a variety of designs and are also available in different colors. If you too want to incorporate this cheap material that can easily last a lifetime provided some basic maintenance then we are going to explain to you how to pour concrete countertops.

How to Pour Concrete Countertops-2
How to Pour Concrete Countertops-2

Because of advancements in research, concrete has got a great boost in the manufacture of architectural-grade products and have placed it alongside popular options like stone and wood options. Through this article we are going to explain how to pour concrete countertops and give all the information and skills required to do this on your own.

Here’s the step by step guide on how to pour concrete countertops:

How to Pour Concrete Countertops

Make a Mould

Carefully take measurements of the base upon which the new countertop is to be installed. With the help of these measurements, cut strips out of a melamine board or a wooden board to craft the mould. After cutting all the strips for the required sides, fix them together using nails or screws. Make sure that you are creating a tight fit. The corners should not have any gaps to prevent the wet concrete from coming out and leaking.

Ready the bottom board

The mould’s bottom part is going to be the top facing part of your finished countertop. So you should make the surface of the bottom board extremely smooth. Mark the dimensions for sink and faucet on the bottom board and then cut them out to create space for installing the sink. After that, run a silicone bead in the inside corners and seams to create a seal and smoothen them using your fingers. The silicone will help to seal the joints of the mould and stop the wet concrete from coming out.

Put in an internal frame for support

Next fix a sturdy internal frame made with steel rebars to hold the concrete in place and prevent it from breaking away. Measure and cut steel rebars using a cutter to fit the mold. Then lay them in a criss cross pattern on top of one another and tie them up using metal wires. This will prevent your countertop from cracking off. Then place small stones on the base and rest this rebar frame on top of them. Now your mold is ready for the concrete pouring.

Prepare the concrete mixture

Prepare a mixture of sand, loose gravel, cement and water to get concrete. Keep the proportions of sand: gravel: cement in the ratio 3:4:3 and mix enough water to prepare a thick concrete mixture. If you want to add color to your countertop, then you can also add color pigments to the mixture. 

Pour the concrete to make countertops

After the concrete mixture is ready, pour it out in the mold. Keep shaking it constantly to remove any air bubbles that may form inside. Smoothen the top surface with a trowel and cover it up with a plastic sheet and allow it to dry overnight. Once dried, keep on pouring water on top of it every 5-6 hours for 2 days to strengthen it.

Remove the Mold and Finish the Slab

Remove the screws and pry out the sides of the mold. Then take out the concrete mold with the help of a small pulley crane as it will be very heavy. Turn the concrete slab over and grind the top face, sides and edges to give a smooth and curvy finish. You can paint the countertop or apply a coat of epoxy coating on top. 

Your concrete countertop is ready to be installed. These are the easiest steps that tell you how to pour concrete countertops. You can also visit us at K&B Cabinets for professional help in helping you with your kitchen countertops. We will give you the best services when it comes to installing concrete countertops. Feel free to contact us anytime.

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