YO!!!! 1968CAYMAN...or anyone else DIYing concrete countertops

[Dueller]

Wifey and I visited a friend with a very upscale home with gorgeous concrete counters. Just curious how V2 turned out on your house.

The countertops in friend's house were poured in place using a unique mold/form that allowed for a 3" bullnose edge. He's trying to get me some of this to try on my countertops.

Before I tackle my own counter tops, I'm gonna try to pour in p;lace a 3" thick hearth on my fireplace...it will be elevated in a qusai-cantilevered style...approximately a 2-3" overhang from the base. Someone has recommended using Sakrete 5000 that normally does not require rebar/reinforcement. Will the overhang/lip require reinforcement? Anybody have other recommendations? Thinking of adding color to the concrete and/or staining a dark brown/black for the hearth. Ideas? Pics? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

[Jagshund]

You realize that you're asking someone who ended up with the ever-popular "exposed aggregate look" on his first try, right? It's better now. Should be finishing up this weekend and will post pics once fountain machine is in place.

To answer your question, yes, cantilevered edges require rebar reinforcement. I would take it to about 1.5" of the exposed edge (sometimes leaving reinforcements 1" from the surface can cause ghosting). Be careful of the concrete you use- some of the high early strength and crack-resistant types have fiberglass fibers mixed in which will not buff out if you're looking for a sealed finish. Quickrete sells a black (charcoal) pigment and other colors (for about $5) that treat 2 80- lbs bags . . . I think . . .

You should go buy Fu-Tung Cheng's book. It's called Concrete Countertops and costs about $18 but it has a lot of great ideas/advice.

[look 171]

rabars for sure.

[johnco]

Dueller, the 3 1/2" bullnose forms for my pools are pretty much the same thing but they do sell thinner forms for counter tops. you can check some here. Stegmeier Corporation

[johnco]

I built a really nice hearth and mantle on a custom fireplace using my pool forms. stained it with black acid stain and it's beautiful. I just used regular sack crete and added some portland so I'd have more strength and enough cream to cover the rocks

[johnco]

download the instruction video on that site. tells you everything you need to know

[Dueller]

Thanks, guys....Cayman, I ordered the book you recommended (thanks for the offer deanp).

jOHNCO...MAN, THANKS A MILLION. Instructional video on that site was GREAT Stegmeier Corporation
The problem I was having locally was that no one would give me a source for the form systems...they were more than willing to do it for me at $50+/sf YOU gave me just what I needed to get them. I owe you John. PS: How's the pool bidness these days?

[johnco]

what pool business? I didn't work for 5 months. hasn't really kicked off yet, at least not new pools, just liner jobs. if there's an Adcock or SCP store near you, I could probably get them to order it for you to pick up. or any pool store/contractor should be able to get them for you also.

I have a pile of forms leftover from jobs I'd give you if you were closer to practice with

[johnco]

when it comes time to color the counters, you might take a look waterstains. gives a warmer translucent color unlike the "painted" look some stains and powder colors added to the mix..

[Dueller]

Originally Posted by johnco

when it comes time to color the counters, you might take a look waterstains. gives a warmer translucent color unlike the "painted" look some stains and powder colors added to the mix..

Can they be effectively sealed for countertop use? Somehow I thought using the mixed in coloring would be more effectve. any suggestions for which bagged 'crete to use? Is it available without aggregate?

[johnco]

you'll have to clearseal countertops with any process I would think. adding color powder must be done to the entire batch or you'll have variations on color on seperate mixed batches for each countertop. you can also get the powder stain like what's used in stamped concrete that's thrown on top and troweled into wet crete. and you can also add a hardener to the top also. I used to use these products for spraycrete. Decorative Concrete Coating Decorative Concrete Resurfacing Decorative Concrete Flooring
you won't have any strength without aggregate unless you use that fiberglass strand stuff they add to concrete.

[Jagshund]

I'm using different amounts and different colors (Charcoal and Sienna(?))in each batch- the variations really looked good the first time around (aside from the aggregate sticking out the top). Depends on the formality of the room/house and the taste of the homeowner, I suppose.