- Mix your concrete. Use a mix for the color and additives that is especially designed for countertops or floors.
- Scoop about half your concrete into the mold. Using a shovel or scoop, pour your concrete into the form until it reaches the top edge of the form all ...
- Add your steel re-enforcement over the first half of concrete. ...
- Continue adding the last half of concrete over the re-enforcement. Err on the side of having too much concrete in the form.
- Screen the top of the form. Using the edge of a flat board, lay it across the top of the form on one end and then slide it back ...
- Vibrate the edges of the mold to release air bubbles. ...
- Use a float or trowel to smooth out the entire top of the concrete, and use and edging tool to bevel the entire edge.
- Allow the concrete to cure. Cover the concrete with plastic and then allow it to cure as long as instructed by the manufacturer.
What type of concrete mix for countertops?
Countertop Mix. QUIKRETE® Countertop Mix (No. 1106-80) is a specially formulated flowable high-strength concrete mix for pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete countertop applications. Super-plasticizer additive provides a flowable mix at low water/cement ratio. High-flow formula minimizes the need for mechanical vibration.
What is the best drill for mixing concrete?
The Best Drill For Mixing Concrete (Concrete Drill Mixer)
- DEWALT Electric Drill. The heavy duty mixer is powered by a corded motor and associated 120V motor which delivers more than enough power for any application and that thing makes ...
- F2C Pro 1600W Mixer Pro. ...
- Makita DS4012 Spade Handle Drill. ...
- DEWALT 60V MAX Cordless Drill For Concrete Mixing. ...
- Ridgid 1/2 in Spade Handle Mud Mixer Drill. ...
How to create a faux marble countertop using concrete?
Materials Needed to Make Faux Marble Countertops:
- Step One: Remove fixtures Remove sink faucet and fixtures. ...
- Step Two: Prep surface Clean the countertop thoroughly with some sort of degreasing cleaner. ...
- Step Six: Remove tape Once you’ve applied your feather finish to the flat top, remove the painters’ tape even before moving onto the side surfaces. ...
- Step Ten: Clean
What are the correct concrete mixing ratios?
Different types of Concrete Mix Ratio
- Nominal Concrete Mix Ratios
- Standard Mixes Ratio
- High Strength Concrete Mix Ratio
What is the best concrete mix to use for countertops?
QUIKRETE® Countertop MixThe best concrete mix for countertops is one with high compressive strength, smaller, rounder stones and some flexibility. QUIKRETE® Countertop Mix (No. 1106-80, -81) is a specially formulated high-strength concrete mix for pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete countertops. It works really well and comes in 80pound bags.
What is the mix ratio for concrete countertops?
The concrete mixing ratio would be 3 parts sand, 2 parts aggregate, and 2 parts cement. Keep the mixture as dry as possible, kind of like clay, when you mix the dry ingredients with water. Here's a list of ingredients for a concrete countertop mix like the pros use.
Can I use regular concrete mix for countertops?
1. Don't Use Regular Concrete Mix. When it comes to concrete countertops, not just any mix will work. While traditional concrete mixes are great to have on hand, Quikrete Concrete Countertop Mix is specifically made for this type of project.
How do you mix and pour concrete countertops?
2:229:07How to Form and Pour DIY CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS in ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe order in which you add ingredients for concrete mix is important. So we're gonna have waterMoreThe order in which you add ingredients for concrete mix is important. So we're gonna have water first and then polymer. And then sand. And then color.
Is quikrete 5000 Good for countertops?
Quikrete 5000 is a concrete mix for casting countertops and using on many other projects. This concrete mix is designed for gaining more strength in a shorter time than other concrete mixes. It will achieve 5,000 compressive strength after 28 days.
How thick should a concrete countertop be?
1 ½ to 2 inchesThe standard concrete countertop slab thickness is 1 ½ to 2 inches, similar to countertops made of marble or granite. However, contractors can create the illusion of a thicker countertop by casting a drop-front edge.
How many bags of concrete do I need for my countertop?
An 80-pound bag of Quikrete's Countertop Mix will yield approximately 0.6 cubic feet of concrete. For example, to make the above 2-foot-by-3-foot countertop, you'll need two 80-pound bags.
Do concrete countertops need to be sealed?
Because concrete is naturally porous, concrete countertops should always be sealed to protect them from food stains, scratches and water absorption. The right sealer will not only protect the countertop surface, but also enhance its color and sheen.
How long do concrete countertops need to cure?
Curing: Proper curing increases the strength an durability of concrete. Curing should be started as soon as possible and should continue for a period of 48-72 hours. Countertop Mix should be moist cured by covering with plastic sheeting.
What kind of cement is used for concrete countertops?
QUIKRETE® Countertop Mix (No. 1106-80, -81) is a specially formulated flowable high-strength concrete mix for pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete countertop applications.
Can you DIY concrete countertops?
DIY Concrete Countertops. Concrete countertops can give the kitchen inside your home a distinctly industrial look or provide an outdoor kitchen with a slab that is both functional and durable. Making your own DIY concrete countertops may require some dedicated time, but the result of your effort can be gratifying.
How much do DIY concrete countertops cost?
While DIYing a concrete countertop may cost around $8 to $15 per square foot, you will need to pay extra for tools to get the job done.
How do you make homemade concrete countertops?
0:1623:18How to Make Concrete Countertops - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can measure the areas to determine placement. And sizing or you can build a template. NowMoreYou can measure the areas to determine placement. And sizing or you can build a template. Now building a template is definitely helpful to make sure you get the measurements.
What kind of concrete do you use for concrete countertops?
For best results, you'll want a high-strength mix specially formulated to create a smooth concrete surface that can be polished to a high sheen without cracking. Quikrete's Countertop Mix, for example, contains smaller aggregate pieces and super-plasticizer additives that form a dense and smooth countertop.
Can I use Portland cement for countertops?
A good general-purpose mortar mix for basic countertop applications is one part Portland cement with three parts sand packed into a form built on top of a cabinet. Just remember to make your mixture dry enough to hold together in a pile, without being sloppy.
Can you use sand topping mix for concrete countertops?
Use a 60lb bag of Sand/Topping Mix, from your local hardware store. This bag has sand and portland cement already mixed (make sure you do not buy a bag of just sand!) You may choose to mix your own sand mix, especially if you want to use White Portland Cement.
What to do with excess concrete?
Take any excess concrete and use it to fill in any low spots.
What to do if concrete pulls off?
If a little concrete pulls off with the wall, you can trowel some of the excess concrete back on with a spritz of water.
How to make a mold out of melamine?
Cut the melamine base. Cut a base for your mold using the measurements that you took, but with 3/4" added all the way around. You can cut the melamine using a table saw or similar tool.
What to do if concrete is slumping?
If the concrete starts to slump, put it back on. If not, use your trowel to smooth out the outside edge of the counter into a clean , even surface. If you need, a small spray of water makes the concrete a bit easier to work with. You won't need much.
How to cut melamine for countertop?
Cut the sides for your melamine, choosing your desired thickness. Cut the side pieces to the desired thickness of your countertop, plus 3/4" on both ends and one of the sides to adjust for construction. Adjust the measurements for either the short or long ends , depending on how you want the boards to overlap. How this is done doesn't matter, just as long as they make the shape of the base.
How to cut out a sink?
Measure for your cutouts, like a sink. If you need to have a cutout for the sink, measure or trace the shape that you need onto some paper or cardboard. Then, transfer that shape to some high density, firm foam ( like what is used in flower arranging) and cut it out.
How thick is a 2" counter top?
For example, if you wanted 2" thick countertops, the pieces would be cut to 2 3/4" x 61 1/2" for the long sides and 2 3/4" x 26 1/2" for the short sides.
What concrete do I use for countertops?
QUIKRETE® Countertop Mix (No. 1106-80) is a specially formulated flowable high-strength concrete mix for pre-cast and cast-in-place concrete countertop applications.
How thin can you make a concrete countertop?
Mark Rogero, principal of Concreteworks, explains that of late there’s been “a major shift in reinforcement technology— we use fiberglass reinforcement in surface concrete that has made it stronger, thinner, and more refined than the steel-reinforced concrete of the past.” Now concrete counters can be as thin as three-
Can you use mortar mix for countertops?
A good general-purpose mortar mix for basic countertop applications is one part Portland cement with three parts sand packed into a form built on top of a cabinet. If it’s even slightly wetter than this your countertop will be hard to finish correctly and won’t cure to full strength.
Do I need rebar in concrete countertop?
Sufficient concrete cover is required to prevent corrosion and rust stains. Pro tip: Don’t use rebar to reinforce countertops that are less than two inches thick. The rebar is too big and may even cause cracking rather than prevent it. However, rebar can be used in thicker countertops or to support daring overhangs.
Is quikrete 5000 Good for countertops?
Owens uses Quikrete 5000 to make countertops because it is formulated to gain strength in a week while other products typically require 28 days to cure. Mix the aggregate with water, 80 pounds gives you about 2 linear feet of countertop, making sure what you come up with is stiff, not soupy.
Do concrete countertops crack?
A: Yes. Not always, but concrete countertops can develop hairline cracks. The cracks tend to be non-structural and result from the natural shrinkage of the concrete. However, some countertop cracks can be prevented.
How thick do concrete countertops need to be?
Standard thickness is 1 1/2” with a minimum of 1 1/4” and maximum of 3”. Any thickness beyond 3” can be achieved using techniques to give the appear- ance of the desired thickness, yet still maintain weight and size within desirable limits. WHAT DOES A CONCRETE COUNTERTOP WEIGH?
How to pack concrete with stiff mix?
If you are hand packing a stiff mix, you need to make sure to pack the concrete into every corner and edge. If you’re using a fluid mix and hand vibrating, you need to make sure to apply vibration evenly to all edges/surfaces. You need to make sure that the reinforcing is placed at the correct level in the form. You need to screed the back of a stiff mix to make sure it’s level with the forms.
Why mix cement with water first?
Also, mixing everything except cement with the water first ensures that all of the ingredients are fully wetted and dispersed. Then when the cement goes in, it can combine properly with all the other ingredients to make high quality concrete. Remember, water first, then cement.
What order to add ingredients to a precast mixer?
For a from-scratch precast mix, here’s the best order to add ingredients to the mixer: Sand, rocks and pigments (dry or liquid) Water and all admixtures. Fibers.
Can you mix and cast concrete?
Mixing and casting the concrete may seem like the simple part. You’ve made the templates, built the forms and double- and triple-checked them. Now you just dump the ingredients in the mixer, and then dump the concrete in the forms, right? Actually, this is a critical point in creating high-quality concrete countertops.
Can you add water to bagged mixes?
This applies even for bagged mixes that you “just add water” to. If you have multiple batches, use a set of buckets/containers for each batch. Also make sure you have gloves, scoops, trowels, etc. Pour adjacent slabs from the same batch.
How to know how much concrete to use?
Check the yield. An advantage of using a bagged mix is that the manufacturer can tell you the exact volume of concrete each bag will produce. Some bags will provide the yield of concrete in cubic feet; others may tell you how many square feet of countertop you can produce at a specified thickness. This data will help you determine how much of the product to buy and mix up for each job. Even if you miscalculate, unopened bags of mix can be stored for future use, so it's a good idea to purchase a little extra to make sure you have enough on hand.
What is the benefit of bagged concrete mix?
That means you don't need to be knowledgeable about mix design or worry about troubleshooting a mix that's not cooperating. With a bagged mix, your concrete will be identical from job to job.
What is encounter mix?
Moon Decorative's enCounter mix blends white limestone rock, well-graded aggregates, cement, and performance-enhancing admixtures to minimize shrinkage and cracking, improve finishability, and achieve strengths topping 8000 psi after 28 days. Stamp Store owner Doug Bannister says enCounter is more flexible and structurally stronger than other countertop materials, which allows the material to take any shape and be cast in long unsupported spans, making it ideal for cantilevered countertops (see Bending the Rules in Concrete Countertop Mix Design ). Packaged in 50 pound bags, the mix is available in white or gray and can be integrally colored with a choice of nine liquid pigments. For additional decorative effect, the surface can be polished after it cures to expose the white limestone rock.
What is a prepackaged countertop?
Some prepackaged mixes are formulated to produce countertops with exceptional performance features, such as high strengths of 5500 psi or greater, minimal cracking and shrinking, lighter weights, faster setting times, greater workability and the ability to be poured into thinner slabs. These qualities can enhance the durability of your countertops, help prevent damage during shipping and installation, and improve productivity.
Why use bagged concrete?
Pros: Clearly, convenience and ease of use are the most compelling reasons to use a bagged concrete countertop mix. All the necessary ingredients are preblended-all you do is mix in the specified amount of water and a pigment, if desired.
What is Z liquid concrete?
It’s described as an exclusive blend of additives and ultra fine fibers that will transform a 60 lb. bag of standard concrete into a high strength flowable mix. Designed for cast-in-place countertops, it yields a mix that is easy to trowel smooth and results in a high strength fiber reinforced countertop. It can be used in conjunction with dyes, stains or integral colors as well as various decorative edge forms to get a one-of-a-kind look.
What is a Xtreme Countertop?
As the name implies, Xtreme Countertop from SureCrete Design achieves super-high compressive strengths exceeding 10,500 psi and flexural strengths greater than 1,400 psi. The cementitious composite material is suitable for both cast-in-place or precast projects and permits you to pour countertops as thin as ½ inch with no rebar and wire mesh. The mix is also fast setting and can be removed from the mold after 4 hours and polished with diamond abrasives after 8 hours. The product is packaged in 50-pound bags to which you add a gallon of liquid modifier and SureCrete's Color Pack for an integral tint, if desired.
How thick is 50 lb of countertop mix?
One 50lb bag will make about 2.5 square feet of 2" thick countertop. You can go as thin as 7/8" with this bag mix. Some of the qualities of this mix are:
How much cement replacement is needed?
Recommended dose is 15-25% cement replacement by weight. Can be dosed up to 30%.
What is federal white cement?
Federal White Type I Cement is a true Portland cement manufactured with selected raw materials to insure negligible amounts of iron and manganese oxides so as not to produce the gray color of normal Portland cement.
What is the cheapest mixer?
If you're only going to use the mixer one or two times, then a cheaper brand is Xtremepower's Hand held mixer .
Can you mix concrete for countertops?
Listed below are the ingredients for a concrete countertop mix that you can make yourself from scratch. There's a lot of ways you can mix concrete for countertops, but this recipe is a proven, high quality mix from our friends over at Concrete Countertop Supply.
Can you add water to countertop mix?
So if you're looking for a countertop mix where all you have to do is just add water, this is a great way to go.
How do I mix cement?
Pour some water into the mixer and then add cement followed by sand and gravel. Add the ingredients slowly and in portions. Do not add all the proportion of an ingredient immediately because it will hamper proper mixing. Once all the three ingredients have been added, add the required proportion of the pigment. Keep adding water systematically after every entry to ensure smooth mixing. Only enough water should be added to make the texture of the concrete gooey. The resultant concrete should stick to the spatula in a semi-solid form. If you poke a finger in your mix, the finger should smoothly slide into the mixture rather than being unable to penetrate or going in too quickly. Stop the mixture occasionally to analyze the texture of your concrete. Once you are satisfied with the result, run the mixer for a minute after adding the pigment. Cement can dry quickly therefore wear gloves during all times of your labor.
How to choose a countertop color?
Plan your countertop by choosing a suitable location in your kitchen to place it. Take measurements to determine the amount of concrete required. Determine the required thickness of your countertop. Simultaneously, decide the color you would want your countertop to be. Black is the ideal color to suit kitchen countertops since it complements other ...
How long does it take for a countertop to cure?
WARNING: Your countertop will take 4 days to cure inside the frame, and then 3-4 days more (so 7-8 days total) before you can seal it.
How to determine the proportion of cement, rock and sand?
To determine the proportion of cement, rock and sand use a simple 1-2-3 recipe. For every 1 part of cement, use 2 parts of pea gravel and 3 parts of sand. In addition, use approximately 6 percent of pigment in proportion to the total amount of cement used.
Can you make your own concrete countertop?
Making your own concrete countertop mix will allow you to customize the color of the mixture to complement the theme of your kitchen. Mixing the concrete is a labor intensive job which requires constant vigilance. Several variables in the process can affect the result which can compromise the strength of the concrete and thus the countertop.
