Concrete countertops you guys were asking about...

[Roverjoe]

Some of you fine folks were asking what's up with these concrete countertops. Here is a house that I'm doing all the architecture and contracting on + build the countertops. The kitchen is still under construction, but you can get the idea. The pics are not-so-good. The concrete actually has a real nice polish and gloss to it which you can only see in like 2 of the pics.

Edit: I know you are going to ask how much $$$. There is approx 75 sq ft of counters and I sold them for $40 a sq ft. I'm doing a ton of other work on this house, so I gave them a good (average) deal on the counters.

Got an ?????....let me know.

Thanks,

Joe

 

[d2dave]

what are they reinforced with?

 

[FIVESPDDISCO]

Will it stain lie my driveway?

 

[road1will]

Will it stain lie my driveway?

lol, im sure they're sealed like granite.

looks good! we considering going that route but couldnt find any pricing near $40! We ended up going with 3cm thick granite and were able to find it for 28/sq ft

 

[WNYDiscoIIErik]

So you're saying that with a few bags of quick crete and a couple of 2x4s, I could make my own?

 

[D Chapman]

There is a bar here that has these tops. They crushed up green beer bottles and added it to the mix. It was then coated with a clear epoxy. They also formed a "channel" on the under-side for rope lighting. They look awesome! Since seeing theirs, I've considered trying it in my home.

......I'll practice, first.

But it would not be too cheap. Creating the forms would cost a chunk. The epoxy is 80.00 a gallon, and it does not go too far.

 

[Roverjoe]

If you guys want to try it, I say go for it! (as long as you're not in central Ohio ) . My advice would be to start with something much smaller than a kitchen. Maybe like a coffee or console table top. Of course, you're gonna ruin a few before you get a good one.

It ain't cheap. I make my molds out of melamine 4X8 sheet at a tune of $26 a sheet. If you don't have a table saw that can handle a 4X8 sheet, forget about it. You can't make a mold. You need to use a good 80+ tooth blade with melamine as well. Caulk your seams with 100% silicone so the molds don't leak and the corners are round. I do have a special "vibrator", but you can do just as good of a job to vibrate the concrete with a rubber mallet.

The best tool for building good concrete countertops are good LEVEL work tables....made from 2X4's and 4X4 notched posts. I have 12 tables in my 2000 sq ft shop which makes life much, much easier. In my opinion a good at least 3 cubic ft concrete mixer is a must. You just can't do the amount you need in a wheelbarrow. I do use a 5000psi mix, but I add a plasticiser to it...and some other top secret ingredients. Regular old concrete typically won't work. It will check and crack beyond use.

The glass and other aggregate additives are actually pretty easy to work with. I have a water polisher that was relatively inexpensive (approx $275) where I can polish the concrete/aggregate/glass up to 3000 grit. I then add a sealer and a concrete wax...it will shine just like granite.

Just do it!

 

[Blueboy]

They crushed up green beer bottles and added it to the mix.

here is another company that specializes in it:

http://www.icestone.biz/

cool stuff

Jaime

 

[David Despain]

whats up with the "secret ingedients"? every time i ever hear about someone who does countertops they always have some mix receipe that was handed down from some ancient concrete gods in a temple in a far off land. dont get me wrong, i would never assume that i could do as good (or anywhere near it) job as a pro. this is one job that is definitly best hired out. i can see that the mix would not be anywhere near what you would use when making a side walk formed up with 2x4's and the edge of the house, but what is so special about it?
do you use a special release agent inside the forms as well?

 

[adriatic04]

that looks sweet, but it only "works" with certain architectural design. Not sure it would look that great in mine being an older home built in the 40's.

 

[wturner]

That is a bad ass kitchen!

 

[Roverlady]

Friends of ours poured a dark (almost black) concrete counter in their kitchen and put large pieces of granite that match into it...looks pretty cool but it's a very rough finish.

I like this stuff:
http://www.vetrazzo.com/

 

[simon]

I almost got into doing this as well, but the market took a dive....

best info you will ever get is from:

concreteexchange.com

Mr. Cheng is the BAD ASS of concrete!

by the way did anyone read the article about granite and dangerous radium (sp) contamination?

Simon.

 

[Blue]

radon

It ain't gonna kill you, unless you maybe lock yourself in a plastic box with your countertops for a few thousand years.

 

[Roverjoe]

There really is no "secret" mix, but it does take quite a bit of trial and error before getting things just perfect. I mix my water and plasticisier down to the 1/2 ounce. My mixes are ususally a little more "wet" than most, but I like the soupiness factor.