concrete counter top

[tallgrass]

i am going to re due my kitchen and i am thinking about doing a concrete counter top.Has anyone done or no where i should for information on the topic?

[Sybarite]

Concrete tops are a great alternative to the conventional benchtop solutions.

There have been a few threads here which mention them but here is another quick link:

http://www.guru.com.au/farm/ownerbuilder/polished-concrete-benchtops/

Go for it and remember to post a HOW TO when you are finished.

Cheers,

[Ecofellers]

Hi, I did one some years ago using several layers of Gal mesh and reo bar.
I formed it in situ using white board and thin cement sheet at the base. Thickness was 50 MM O/A, This was over standard carcase work with some tempory bracing.
Mask and waterproof well!!!
I included a mould for an under bench sink and ran the splash back up between the silky oak overheads 700mm high. All trowel work.
Finished with West system epoxy, It was a big U shape so god help anyone taking it out!
Vibrate before you do the splash back otherwise it wil fall off. An orbital sander will settle the top well.
Mesh up the wall for splahbacks as well, form the edges with white whiteboard, 15mm thick. Put the cupboard in later.
Bondcrete in a 3-1 mix.The client loved it, I built a ferro yacht some years ago so was not to challenged by this.
Keep it moist for about one week to help the cure.
Good luck. Rob

[billbeee]

I built a large large laundry trough a couple of years ago.
Formed it upside down with whiteboard.
Filleted all the corners with silicon.
Used a fine gal mesh, about 25mm square, not chicken wire.
Hired a small electric pencil vibrator.
Used about a 5mm max aggregate, and added bondcrete and varying ochres to the mix to give it a mottled appearance.
The client was happy, he wanted something different, but it was an awful lot of work, and cost heaps.

Don't do a concrete bench top thinking it will be cheaper than alternatives, no way.

They come into their own when you get to using various aggregates, and inserts of designs in stainless, copper, shells etc. and then grinding and polishing them back.
I have done a few floors like this and we found it cheaper to buy our own machines, but the consumables cost heaps.

Rob, I presume you poured the "U" shape all in one hit. Did you use any fly ash or pozzolan in your mix as well as Bondcrete?

If I had to do a U shape I'd have use joints or maybe try the fibre reinforcing stuff that the swimming pool guys use,

Cheers
Bill

[pawnhead]

http://www.guru.com.au/farm/ownerbuilder/polished-concrete-benchtops/That top looks a bit patchy and 'ordinary' to me.

Hi Rob. You wouldn't have pics of that top would you?

A member here built a gorgeous 'rustic' type house with her husband, and poured her own kitchen (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=427784#post427784) and vanity (http://www.woodworkforums.com/showthread.php?p=385229#post385229) tops.
A great WIP thread with lots of good ideas and pics. :2tsup:

[seriph1]

there is a video by the guy who apparently is 'the' expert in this area - I bought mine from amazon.

[renomart]

Here is some information on concrete countertops (http://renomart.com.au/making-concrete-kitchen-counter-tops/)

[tallgrass]

this seems like great stuff, and thanks for all the replies......when sealed is it temp sensitive?kitchen ....hot pans?

[renomart]

this seems like great stuff, and thanks for all the replies......when sealed is it temp sensitive?kitchen ....hot pans?

If it was really, really (red) hot, then, yes. Concrete and granite can suffer from thermal shock and the surface will chip or flake. Really hot pans will damage any sealer / wax applied to it. Always use a trivet.

[tallgrass]

what is a trivet?

[seriph1]

those things on your cooktop(gas) made usually of cast iron that the pots sit on. They also can be stand-alone items for sitting hot pots on benches, as mentioned.

http://search.ebay.com/cast-iron-trivet

[tallgrass]

i guess my knuckles have been dragging on the floor for too long!:doh:

[solid art]

[email protected] I did not know what a trivit was until I started building concrete countertops 5yrs. ago. If you need any help email me