A beautiful, modern and comfortable kitchen is the dream of every housewife. Some people make their desires come true with the help of professional craftsmen and expensive building materials, while others use their own imagination and skill. A striking example of such creations can be DIY concrete countertops for the kitchen, which are practically no different from marble countertops, but are much cheaper. Such a hand-made product will become the true pride of the owners of the house.
Concrete allows you to create exclusive products that can highlight any interior design style. He is ideal material for the manufacture of kitchen surfaces due to its advantageous characteristics:
- resistance to high temperatures;
- low probability of scratches and chips;
- a wide selection of artificial stones, textures and colors;
- concrete is warmer compared to natural stone;
- high functionality - the material is very well suited for making countertops of non-standard shapes, etc.
Such a “concrete” design solution kitchen furniture helps to resolve several issues at once related to the strength and durability of the product, its cost and uniqueness - there simply won’t be a second one like it.
If you decide to make a concrete kitchen countertop with your own hands, then it is very important to follow the technology - then your work will be strong, reliable and durable.
Design
The process of making a kitchen countertop consists of several stages, and the very first is, of course, creating a project. Decide what size and shape your future one should have concrete countertop. Calculations must be made taking into account the pieces of furniture that will be nearby. If the tabletop has corner location, you need to clearly measure the radius, since the angles are not always exactly 90 degrees. When creating a drawing, reflect the exact dimensions of the countertop, not forgetting about the location of the sink and faucet that will be built into concrete surface. A completed drawing of the actual size of the kitchen countertop will greatly facilitate the entire manufacturing process and will help to eliminate possible shortcomings and errors in a timely manner.
Preparing the necessary tools and materials
So that nothing distracts you while you work, and everything you need is at hand, you should take care in advance of having everything you need to create a concrete countertop.
Since the main material for the future kitchen surface is concrete, you need to prepare all the components necessary for mixing it:
- water;
- cement grade 1500 and higher;
- purified fine river sand;
- plasticizer for concrete;
- crushed stone or marble chips.
You can also use a special pigment (color), which can be bought at almost every hardware store. The use of various dyes makes it possible to produce a countertop of any uniformly colored shade, as well as with a marble or granite pattern.
In addition to the components of the concrete mixture, you will need auxiliary materials:
- MDF board or sheet plastic;
- wooden blocks for creating formwork;
- medium density polyethylene film;
- steel mesh with cell size 25x25 mm;
- profiles for edge surfaces;
- screws, self-tapping screws and metal corners for the manufacture of formwork;
- surface polishing paste;
- materials for table top decoration.
Tools that will be required during the work:
- roulette;
- building level;
- screwdriver;
- electric jigsaw:
- grinder with attachments;
- mixing container;
- an industrial mixer for kneading or a drill with special attachments;
- plasticizer for solution;
- putty knife;
- Master OK;
- rubber hammer;
- machine for grinding work with polishing attachments.
Preparation of formwork
This is a rather important stage of work, requiring extreme precision and accuracy - the strength of the product and its appearance will depend on the quality of the workpiece.
Transfer the prepared drawing of the future countertop to a sheet of chipboard. Attach to each line wooden beam, if the tabletop has a rounded shape or a flexible profile can be used for the hole for the sink. It is also necessary to provide a hole for the mixer. Ideal for this purpose plastic pipe with a diameter of 3.5 cm. The joints of the formwork walls must be connected using corners or long screws. In this case, their fastening will be reliable and able to withstand the load created by the concrete.
The height of the structure depends on the planned height of the tabletop. The ideal parameter is considered to be 50 mm - this is optimal thickness surfaces for full use, without worrying about the strength and reliability of the product. It is also not worth making the tabletop too wide in height - a significant increase in the mass of the product will complicate its processing and installation.
Laying the reinforcing frame
A special steel mesh with a cell width of 25x25 mm is best suited as a reinforcing frame. The mesh is laid in such a way that it deviates from the chipboard sheet by 2.5 cm and its edges also do not reach the edges of the formwork by 2.5 cm.
Under the metal mesh you need to put plastic film, the density of which allows styling without folds and wrinkles. Otherwise, your DIY kitchen countertop will turn out to be of poor quality, with imprints of all existing irregularities.
Preparing and pouring concrete
Prepare the solution in accordance with the recipe and required dosages. Classic recipe concrete preparation:
- 1 part cement;
- 2 parts sand;
- 4 parts filler;
- 0.5 parts water.
First, water and cement are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained using a drill or industrial mixer at low speed, and then the remaining components are added to the resulting mixture.
The finished solution is poured into a pre-prepared frame, after which it is carefully and evenly distributed over the entire surface of the formwork. Next, the mixture must be covered with film and left in a warm room for 24 hours. After 24 hours, the film must be removed and a wet cloth placed on the concrete instead - this maneuver will prevent the appearance of cracks.
After 24 hours, you can disassemble the formwork and remove the tabletop. To do this, unscrew and very carefully remove the sides, and then turn over the formwork along with the slab and, tapping it with a rubber hammer, disconnect the tabletop from the plywood base.
Grinding and polishing a concrete countertop
Exist different ways decorating the concrete surface. The simplest and fastest of them is installation ceramic tiles. In this case, you do not have to sand the surface - lay the tiles, install the ends, and after a few days you can install it in the right place. All other methods of processing and decoration will require much more time and effort.
First, using a coarse nozzle, it is necessary to treat the entire concrete surface and its ends. Before performing this work, it is recommended to wear a protective mask and goggles so as not to harm your health. It is advisable to have a vacuum cleaner on hand, since the initial grinding process is accompanied by a huge amount of dust.
The second stage will be surface treatment with fine grinding material. To give concrete water-repellent and grease-repellent properties, a special impregnation should be applied to the surface, and then continue grinding using the smallest fraction of grinding machine discs. The final stage will be to treat the surface using a suede pad and sanding paste at the lowest speed.
This long and painstaking work will be crowned excellent results– the working surface for the kitchen will acquire a glossy shine, ideal smoothness and, despite its low cost, will look no worse than a countertop made of natural stone and will serve you for many years!
Jamie Gaokas's project began with the purchase of a book about how kitchen utensils are made. DIY concrete countertop. At first, the master made them for himself, then for friends, and then started his own business. The master class is conducted by Jamie himself.
First of all, the master asks you to be patient, since approximately a month passes from the start of production to complete installation. During this time you can do complete renovation in the kitchen.
After measurement work surface templates are made. Concrete is poured into the trays, which will soon become the tabletop. The cut inlays are inserted into the selected places.
To make a sink, plywood is used, from which the shape is knocked down. Solid insulating foam is needed to form the recess.
After low tide, the concrete remains in the tray for two weeks. A high-quality countertop with a sink looks beautiful, as in this photo.
Polishing the tabletop grinding machine with a diamond wheel.
The last stage of manufacturing is filling the joints with silicone. This makes them waterproof. Afterwards the surface is polished with wax paste and mineral oil to create an additional protective layer. The procedure is recommended to be carried out once or twice a year.
Pieces of glass, porcelain, metal and anything that supports original design interior design and will make an impression, must be chosen carefully, as it will remain there forever.
Owner's personal inlay
This horseshoe belonged to a horse that the client loved very much. Pieces of glass and gravel fit into the overall picture. Other customers choose coins or even fragments of mechanisms.
The decoration can be incorporated into the profile of the tabletop.
The board is removed to discard nut shells and other debris that should not end up in the sink. The profile reveals nice blue inserts.
The gray material harmonizes perfectly with the brownish pieces of glass.
Bluish-green shades look inspiring. Pigmentation of the material is not easy, but the result is excellent.
Gaokas artist. He has degrees in art and art history. This is felt in the master’s products, creating a special atmosphere in the space of the house.
Using expensive exclusive materials, you can create an attractive indoor interior. The concrete countertop is a mix of art and practicality, distinguished by its unique design and durability. Its surface can be ground, polished, painted, or have inclusions of marble, granite chips, shells, and colored glass.
Table top made of decorative concrete
Such products are formed as a result of molding and hardening of the mixture. They are made to order and fit any individual project, into a room with an unusual configuration. The main elements of the slab are cement, water, sand, stone, and pigment. For example, a kitchen countertop made of concrete can be given any shape, a product with curves or several levels can be made. The surface of the table can even be decorated with lighting and create a beautiful “starry sky” effect. Such things are used for different rooms.
Concrete countertops for kitchen
The products are suitable for classic and modern settings. They go well with wood, metal, glass, and add a feeling of reliability and massiveness to the structure. Kitchen countertop made of concrete goes well with window sills, floors, benches of a similar texture. The material can be polished to a matte or mirror-shiny surface. To protect against contamination, the surface of the table is covered with a polymer protection that closes the pores. Due to the colors, the final version of the surface can be made in various colors - gray, beige, pink, green.
Concrete bathroom countertop
The material is well suited for use in damp areas. This table is warmer to the touch than natural granite or marble, and has the appearance natural stone, not afraid of water and temperature changes. A concrete countertop in the bathroom is used to install a sink; when poured, it is easy to leave holes of the required size in it for further installation of the washbasin. The interior of the room can be supplemented with similar shelves and slabs on the wall.
How to make a concrete countertop?
Products are manufactured by pouring material under custom sizes, in any specific case, thickness, shape, color are selected. First you need to determine the exact dimensions of future products. A do-it-yourself concrete tabletop is made for a finished table frame. When joining several pedestals, it is necessary to provide for the manufacture of the product from several pieces. The weight of the finished furniture is large, and the concrete tabletop, divided into parts, is easier to move and process. Less cracks form on it.
How to make a countertop from concrete?
After calculations and drawing, you can begin purchasing materials. When deciding how to make a concrete countertop yourself, you need to prepare:
- plywood sheets;
- slats;
- screwdriver and self-tapping screws (for mounting the mold);
- cement and sand;
- decor (glass, shells, pebbles);
- Sander;
- diamond wheel;
- trowel, spatula;
- solution container;
- level.
DIY kitchen countertop made of concrete
After preparing the frame kitchen table, you can start filling the surface. The polished concrete countertop should fit snugly against the wall. If the design has non-standard corners or pipes, all bends and notches are exactly transferred to the drawing.
To make a stylish concrete countertop, an interesting and simple technology. It allows you not to spend extra money on furnishing your apartment and, at minimal cost, make the interior of the room stylish and individual. Concrete coating is not afraid of fading, mechanical damage and damage by chemicals. It will last for decades and will become a unique interior decoration.
Attractive and original interior kitchen area- This is the dream of every home owner. Some are trying to create it with the help of designers and expensive exclusive materials, others focus on their own imagination and skill. For example, you can make a concrete countertop with your own hands, which will be no different from an elite marble piece.
A concrete countertop will not differ from an elite marble piece.
This solution is ideal for those owners who cannot allocate extra funds to decorate the kitchen and are accustomed to approaching the arrangement of their home creatively. Minimal costs will allow you to make the interior of the kitchen space individual.
Preparing to create a countertop
Before making a tabletop, you need to complete a series preparatory work, which will allow the new element to fit organically and harmoniously into the existing interior. So, you should determine what dimensions the table will have and what it will look like.
Usually the tabletop is made of natural or artificial stone needed to create a work surface located next to the sink or stove. It can also be used in the corner of the kitchen. In any case, the sides of the element must completely follow the relief of the walls, which will create the tightest possible fit.
Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully measure all dimensions, check the angle and draw up a drawing on the basis of which the concrete countertop will be made. Since the weight of the finished tabletop will be quite large, it is recommended to include in the drawing its division into several parts. This will make the manufacturing and processing process simpler and easier and will protect the tabletop from cracking during use.
Besides, heavy weight concrete also determines the creation of an additional structure that strengthens the support of the table. Thus, the joints between parts of the tabletop must be strengthened using cross boards, made from hard wood. In addition, the entire frame of the cabinet should consist of this wood.
When the drawing is ready, you should purchase the materials that you will need to make a concrete countertop with your own hands:
- sand and cement in a ratio of 3:2;
- hardwood boards;
- timber 40x40 or 50x50;
- plywood;
- sheets of plastic with a thickness of at least 1.8 cm;
- reinforcement mesh with small cells;
- polymer concrete on acrylic resin;
- silicone sealant;
- spray adhesive;
- decorative elements: shells, small pebbles, broken glass;
- drying oil or machine oil;
- dye pigments.
In addition, all the necessary tools must be available:
- putty knife;
- grinder with polishing wheels;
- building level;
- screwdriver and screws;
- polyethylene film;
- hacksaw.
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Tabletop manufacturing process
The quality of a countertop made from concrete with your own hands largely depends on compliance with the dimensions when creating a mold for casting. For the base of the form, you need to take plastic sheets, the size of which corresponds to the size of the future tabletop. A side with a height of about 5-6 cm is mounted along the perimeter of the sheets of timber. The height of the side will determine the thickness of the element.
To seal the mold, all joints and seams are coated silicone sealant. If there is a sink in the countertop, the space for it should be left free, enclosing the required space with partitions made of boards. In addition, the tabletop can be given a rounded shape by using silicone inserts, installed in the corners and removed after the concrete solution has dried.
The next stage is installation decorative elements, if they will be used in the manufacture of countertops. Shells, glass and other decor must be carefully distributed over the bottom of the mold and secured by sprinkling with spray glue. After this, at a height of 2.5-3 cm from the bottom of the mold, it is mounted metal grid with small cells, which will act as reinforcement.
Then, in order to make the countertop, you need to mix the concrete solution. 3 parts of clean river sand are added to a container with 2 parts of M500 cement. After this, 1 part of a polymer plasticizer for concrete is added. Lastly, water is added. Its quantity should be such that the mixture looks like a cream or paste.
If the tabletop should have any specific color, pigment dyes are added to the mixture. To give the concrete a uniform color, substances are added to the dry mixture. If it is necessary to obtain stains, as on granite, the pigment is dissolved in a small amount of liquid and mixed with the ready-made concrete mixture.
In order for the countertop to have strictly identical parameters, the concrete solution is poured into a mold set in a horizontal position. Before pouring, the mold should be thoroughly coated with drying oil or machine oil, which will allow you to remove the concrete part without any problems. The horizontality of the form is checked using a building level.
When all the concrete mixture has been poured, the mold is covered with a sheet of plastic greased with drying oil. Then the entire structure is covered with polyethylene on top and left for at least 10 days. After this time, the polyethylene is removed and the formwork is removed. The concrete is left to dry for another 7-8 days.
A beautiful and comfortable kitchen is the desire of every person. Some realize this dream with the help of designers and expensive building materials, while others use personal imagination and skill. For example, a DIY concrete countertop is absolutely doable. In addition, it will be no different from similar countertops made of marble. And the use of the countertop can be found in any home. You can simply be proud of your product.
Advantages of concrete products
Such a design solution kitchen space helps to solve several problems related to product durability, cost and uniqueness. If you still decide to make a concrete countertop, then it is important to follow the technology. In this case, the resulting product will be strong and durable, because concrete is not too susceptible to the influence of environmental factors.
The cost also speaks in its favor; this will help you save significantly when performing kitchen decorating work. But the resulting countertop can be visually almost indistinguishable from marble. And those who love original things will love that you can make such a unique thing that there simply won’t be another one like it again.
The resulting concrete countertops for the kitchen can be finished and decorated with any different components - stones, shells, coins, tiles. The scope of elements for decoration can be limited only by your imagination and taste preferences.
It is worth knowing that at the drying stage of the concrete solution everything decorative materials will be influenced by liquids.
Therefore, all finishing elements must be resistant to such influence. If you want to use different photographs or pictures in the decoration, then you must first laminate them. After decoration, the film will be invisible, but it will help preserve the contents.
Design Regardless of the final outcome of the manufacturing process, you first need to create a design. The completed drawing will facilitate the presentation of the entire production process, will help to foresee and eliminate possible mistakes
and difficulties. Generally speaking, the drawing will greatly facilitate the execution of all work. Initially, it is worth finding out what components your kitchen set consists of. To do this, you need to study the available list of similar products and opt for. After this, you need to find out the exact dimensions of the upcoming concrete countertop. To find out, you need to measure the length and width of the empty area, taking into account the pieces of furniture that are nearby. In the event that the product will come into contact with a corner, you also need to measure the angle, since in reality it may not be straight.
For normal and full functioning, the thickness of the concrete countertop should not be less than 5 centimeters. But you shouldn’t make it much thicker, because in this case the weight of the product increases significantly.
The location of the sink in the kitchen, its size and shape are of great importance. It would be much better to purchase the sink before starting to manufacture the product. In this case, it will be easier to make the hole, and the result will be more accurate. No less important detail- the location of the tap, because a hole will be needed for it.
In the case of a built-in sink, you need to check whether it overlaps the countertop. If everything is in order, then you can start making a template for the hole. To do this, turn the sink over and outline it with a construction pencil.
In the case of an overhead sink, it is necessary to measure inner part where it will come into contact with the applied part. If the internal part does not have rectangular shape, then it is worth making a rectangular template according to the largest measurements of the internal part. The main thing is to make such a hole that the sink will fit. It is even allowed for the hole to be slightly larger than required.
Now you can make a drawing of real size using the data obtained. To do this, you will need a sheet of plastic or chipboard. We carry out the design on it. We apply all the required dimensions and holes very carefully and carefully, everything should be as close as possible to the intended product.
Required materials and tools
Before you go shopping, you should determine everything that will be needed. Even with exact knowledge of the dimensions of your countertop, it would be better to purchase building materials with a small supply. Situations may be different, so it is better to be prudent.
Processing the tabletop with a grinding machine. A concrete countertop for its manufacture may require the following list necessary materials and tools:
- concrete mortar (components for mixing it - cement, sand, water);
- mixing container;
- an industrial mixer or drill with a special attachment;
- roulette;
- Master OK;
- rule;
- building level;
- putty knife;
- you can purchase ready-made concrete mortar, but then the components for mixing are not needed;
- profiles will be needed to finish the edge of the tabletop;
- wooden blocks and MDF board for creating formwork;
- reinforcing bars;
- formwork will be needed for assembly;
- plasticizer for solution;
- electric jigsaw;
- liquid Nails;
- grinder with a set of attachments;
- materials for decoration and finishing;
It’s definitely worth preparing special shoes and clothing, because the process of making the structure is quite complicated. So as not to breathe concrete dust above the countertop, it is worth preparing a protective mask with goggles. It is better to overdo it initially than to get damaged later.
It is necessary to realize that the original color of the building material is the shade of the manufactured countertop. To recreate some special shade or color, you can use a special color for concrete.
Stages of work
Regardless of the product being manufactured, you first need to find out its size and shape. If you are replacing an old countertop, you can use its measurements. If a completely new product is being manufactured, then it is worth taking measurements of the base, and also taking into account the existing requirements for the selected room.
In order to have a template in front of your eyes, you can try to make a drawing of the tabletop on paper; you are allowed to not even make marks for different types holes. Next you will need a full-fledged template in life size. To do this, you need to take a sheet of thick cardboard, of such a size that you end up with a full-fledged template. If cardboard small size, then for the actual volume of the product you will have to glue the parts together. If you have large cardboard, then simply cut out the required layout. When the template is ready, you need to check that it fully matches the dimensions. To check, you should place it on the desired area and make sure that everything is accurate and there are no distortions. After such checks, the concrete countertop will be completed quickly and easily. Now you need to divide the template into separate parts. Once you have ready-made detailed templates on hand, you can begin production of the product itself.
Preparation of formwork
When making your own countertop, it is important to complete this area of work with the utmost precision and accuracy. After all, the strength of the product and its appearance in general will depend on the quality of the workpiece.
After a decision has been made regarding the height of the structure, parts of the required length need to be cut from the beams - these are the vertical parts of the future formwork. They will need to be secured to the floor. To do this, you will need profiles. If the contact with the walls is direct, then the racks must be drilled through. They are secured using anchor dowels. After fixation, the vertical parts are connected to the horizontal ones. Thus, the formwork frame is ready.
To make the lower part you will need a wooden MDF sheet. The formwork must be made in such a way that the concrete can be pulled out later without damaging it. If the countertop has a sink, then inside in the right place you need to lay out a metal ring. Also, with further use hob, it is also necessary to mark this place.
