How to Make Concrete Countertops

Learning how to make concrete countertops can be a very rewarding endeavor. It can save you money and show off your skillful and artistic ability while creating a practical and functional feature of your home that truly displays personal taste. There are a few different ways to make concrete countertops and each has its advantages and disadvantages. So the first step is choosing which method is most suitable.

Solid Concrete Countertops

The most common method is building solid concrete countertops. A mold or framework is constructed and 1 1/2 to 2 inches of a specially designed concrete mix is poured and reinforced. Solid concrete allows for extreme versatility. It can be integrally colored, stained, polished, or a combination of the various techniques. You can alter the size and shape as well as incorporate decorative objects such as colored glass or functional objects such as cutting boards.

Solid concrete countertops can be cast in a shop or garage, or they can be cast in place. The advantage of the pre-cast method is increased control over variables such as temperature, humidity, and dust control, which becomes important during sealer application. The major disadvantage is the hassle of transporting. A 2 inch slab of concrete weighs approximately 50 lbs per square foot, which makes for an extremely heavy slab. Larger, pre-cast countertops must be done in two or three separate pieces and you end up with visible seems.

Instead of casting offsite, the framework and pouring can be done right on top of the cabinets. The cast-in-place method has the advantage of making large countertops seamless and eliminates the struggle of transporting into place. Although there's less control over the environment, the major drawback of this method is the mess and inconvenience of having the kitchen or bathroom out of commission for several days.

Countertop Overlays

Another approach to making concrete countertops, which many are unaware of, is applying an overlay to a pre-made solid surface. With overlays, you can achieve the same look, feel, and natural appeal of solid concrete. The benefits of countertop overlays include less material cost and much easier handling because they don't weigh nearly as much as solid concrete. Overlays also give second chances. If you mess up, just apply a new overlay. Despite not having the capability of embedding objects, the design opportunities remain endless.

The ideal material for making the surface to be overlayed is MDF board. Screw two pieces of 3/4 inch MDF, cut it to size, and you have a 1 1/2 inch countertop as your canvas for creating a unique masterpiece. Apply a thin layer of cementitious microtopping which can be integrally colored, stained, and sealed just like solid concrete. Perhaps the best advantage of this method is the capacity to include backsplashes in one completeley seamless countertop.

Surprising to most people, countertop overlays can be done over existing laminate countertops. Lightly grind the surface for a rough profile and apply a cementitious overlay, making a brand new surface. If you don't need to change the size and shape of your existing countertops, this is a wonderful and inexpensive way to mimic the appearance of brand new concrete.

When researching and learning how to make concrete countertops, keep in mind there's more than one way to do it. The most important step in a countertop project is having a plan that works for you.