Concrete counter tops

[Ironhorsess107]

Originally Posted by Skinner

All done!

I'm new to the forum but I've done several concrete counter tops. I use a silicone form that has a fossil impression for the edges and I've been putting fiber optic lights in the top. Its the cats meow! I'll post some pictures here soon

[QSrider]

It looks great.
Been following this thread since day one and was looking forward to see the final pictures. Beautiful!
Thanks for taking the time to post.

Eric.

[crackhead]

Great job man. Looks phenomenal. Have you done anything like this before?

Originally Posted by Ironhorsess107

I'm new to the forum but I've done several concrete counter tops. I use a silicone form that has a fossil impression for the edges and I've been putting fiber optic lights in the top. Its the cats meow! I'll post some pictures here soon

I'd like to see those.

[OldPete2112]

Ok, that looks really good! Well done man.

Not sure I would tackle that one myself, pretty sure the wife would bitch about the kitchen being out of commission for the length of time it would take me to do that.

I will stick with getting the granite guys to do my tops and stick to me doing the cabinets myself this spring.

Again, great job, thanks for posting the build.

OP


Its better to travel well than to arrive.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[LuciferMutt]

That looks absolutely fantastic. Something to be very proud of.

Hope you don't randomly start hating it in 2 years because it will be a bitch to remove

[silverbandit1]

Originally Posted by Skinner

All done!

That looks great!

Could you provide the details on the finishing / polishing of the top surface.

[JimVonBaden]

Originally Posted by Star-Bellied Sneetch

Regarding expansion and cracking, the characteristics of the concrete mix used for concrete countertops combined with the reinforcing materials are supposed to keep it from cracking. Also, if you can cast it in multiple pieces, there's a lot less chance of cracking than if you cast one giant piece. And, of course, it's easier to move around as well! Some folks try to hide the seams and make them as inconspicuous as possible, other people use them as a design element. It's really all about creativity. You can really do some awesome stuff if you're creative. Unfortunately, I'm not, so mine are pretty plain-jane.

Post them up Mike! I think yours turned out great for a first effort, and look great still!

Jim

[adam_c_eckhardt]

Originally Posted by Ironhorsess107

I'm new to the forum but I've done several concrete counter tops. I use a silicone form that has a fossil impression for the edges and I've been putting fiber optic lights in the top. Its the cats meow! I'll post some pictures here soon

Let's see those fiber optics!

[Skinner]

Originally Posted by Ironhorsess107

I'm new to the forum but I've done several concrete counter tops. I use a silicone form that has a fossil impression for the edges and I've been putting fiber optic lights in the top. Its the cats meow! I'll post some pictures here soon

That sounds pretty cool!

[boardrider247]

I'm getting ready to start working on mine soon.

Bumping this up for some more inspirational pics of other inmates projects

[GlennR]

Bump for a great thread.


I'll be trying it soon.

[GlennR]

Originally Posted by Hawghead

Hey Guys, I was wondering if you have tried the mix from SureCrete? I do custom furniture,(steel and concrete) and this is the shit. It can be poured as thin as half-inch and has 7000 psi after about 12 hours. I will send pics to someone if they want at ptrentham3563@charter.net, just make sure and specify concrete questions. I just finished a 4'x4' coffee table, that has no mesh, no rebar. etc. and you can stand in the middle and it does not budge. It also is only 5/8's thick and only weighs about 140 lbs. You can find the website at www.SurecreteDesigns.com. This also is totally Eco-friendly and when sealed is very, very scratch resistant. My ole lady had finished this one with 600, 800, and 1000 grit automotive paper and we then used Maguire's auto wax and have a mirror finish that cold beer will dance off of. Just thought i would make a comment and Everybody, Ride , Ride, Ride. Hawghead

The Surecrete sounds interesting. I don't know how much it cost. The posted link didn't work, but I searched and found it. Here's the working link: http://www.surecretedesign.com/ I watched a couple of their videos. The "bendable mix" is very impressive.

[TheOtherBart]

We keep going back and forth on what kind of countertops we want when we can eventually afford to do the kitchen. We've always liked concrete but no way I'd have the scratch to hire someone and I'm not 100% confident in my ability to do it myself.

So the other day I was walking through Lowes and saw 24"x24" concrete slabs, nice smooth polished surface, that they were using as a cap on a brick column. So now the wheels are turning...obviously it would mean some joints, but not very many in our little kitchen. And it's not like there's no precedent for that kind of thing, I've seen some very nice kitchens that used big granite tiles instead of granite slabs due to the cost factor. Things that make you go "hmmm..."

[boardrider247]

I poured a smallish test slab last night. We will see how it turns out. I am sure I didn't vibrate it long enough. I was using a sawzall without the blade, which in itself worked pretty good. Problem was it is a battery sawzall and after I used up all 3 batteries I have I don't feel like it was long enough.

Lessons learned:
1. Tarp a much larger area then you think you need
2. Buy or rent a mixer (I only mixed 4 bags, but by hand I don't think I got the pigment mixed in well enough.
3. Buy or rent a vibrator, or I guess a corded sawzall would do.
4. Collect underpants
5. ??????
6. Profit

Overall it went ok but could go much easier. We will find out in a couple days how well I really did.

[Dave in Wi]

Originally Posted by boardrider247

4. Collect underpants
5. ??????
6. Profit

.

Thanks for the laugh. I wonder who else will get this reference.

I'd love to do concrete countertops in our kitchen. But I fear it's too much for me to take on myself. Just like This Old House, you guys make it seem too easy. I do love the way they look.