Concrete Countertops

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Make Your Own Concrete Countertop

Create a hardworking surface that complements any décor from rustic to urban.
Photography by Paden Reich/SPC and Brian Francis

You want style and strength, and you wouldn't mind saving a few pennies, either. So when it's time to replace your existing countertops or add a new surface, consider concrete as your material of choice. Concrete countertops are durable, and they add personality to a room. Plus, constructing them yourself will give you bragging rights. Follow these instructions to create your own.

Instructions
General: Our finished countertop measures 24 3/4 x 39 3/4 inches to allow for a standard 3/4-inch overhang on each side and a 3/4-inch overhang on the front. Use this method for building a countertop that is less than 6 feet long to ensure that you will be able to lift it out of the frame and attach it in the desired location.)

Step 1: Build a frame to your desired dimensions using pine or poplar 1 x 2s and deck screws. Cut to fit a 3/4-inch medium-density fiberboard (MDF) for the bottom, and attach it with deck screws.

Step 2: Use a caulk gun and silicone sealant to seal the inside edges and the corners of the frame. This will give the countertop slightly rounded edges.

Step 3: Apply a coat of paste wax to the inside of the frame.

Step 4: Use pieces of rebar to create a grid that will fit inside the frame. (If necessary, use a saw with a metal-cutting blade to cut the rebar.) The rebar pieces should intersect approximately every 4 inches; secure the pieces with plastic cable ties at these points.

Step 5: Place two 1 x 2s (or scrap wood) across the top of the frame. Tie pieces of wire around the boards and the rebar to suspend the grid halfway up from the bottom of the frame.

Step 6: Mix the concrete per the manufacturer's instructions. Slowly pour the mixture into the frame. Use a trowel to spread and smooth. Cut the wire and remove the boards laying across the top of the frame before smoothing the final layer of concrete mix.

Step 7: With a hammer, tap the outer edges of the frame to fill voids inside the concrete form. Note: You will still have some bubbles remaining.

Step 8: Allow the concrete to cure for a minimum of seven days before removing the side and bottom boards.

Step 9: Remove the screws from the side boards, and separate the boards from the concrete surface. Carefully turn the concrete piece upright, and remove the bottom board. (You will need at least two people to lift the concrete piece.)

Step 10: If desired, apply a concrete stain to the countertop. You also can apply a sealer or a coat of paste wax to help protect the countertop.

Step 11: Attach the countertop to your cabinetry using silicone sealant or heavy-duty construction adhesive.

Countertop Care
Use these tips to maintain your concrete countertop;
--Use warm water and cleaners without ammonia, abrasives, or bleach.
--Avoid using scouring pads or powders on sealed concrete countertops. These can strip the sealer and cause cracks to form.
--Do not leave oils, fats, or acidic liquids such as wine, citrus juices, vinegar, or alcohol on unsealed concrete.
--Cutting on your countertop will leave a mark on the sealer, dull your knives, and decrease the counter's stain resistance.
--Consider resealing your countertops when you notice areas that appear worn or when liquid beads no longer form on the surface. Or, reseal them less frequently to achieve an appealing patina.


 

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