Concrete Countertops Make A Lovely Addition To Any Kitchen
In these tough economic times, people are looking for ways to improve their homes without spending a great deal of money doing it. One improvement that can be made and which always increases the value of the home is the kitchen. Countertops are the first thing that most people look at when they are in the kitchen and they should be the first item that is upgraded when renovating the kitchen. Concrete countertops are a great way to get new countertops at a low cost. These tops are not going to cost a great deal and they look very nice when completed.
There are many ways to make a concrete countertop aesthetically pleasing while creating a sturdy countertop that is not going to be damaged easily. Do it yourself proponents are going to love the fact that they can install any concrete countertops themselves with just a little know how. All the materials can be purchased at the local DIY store for a fraction of what it would cost to purchase marble or granite countertops and have them installed. Concrete resurfacing products will apply the finish touch to your tops. These can also have tints added to them to match the color scheme of the home. Those who would like to have inserts can put them in before the concrete dries. The overall finish can be polished to a bright shine or left natural with some texture to offer a more rustic look. There really is not limit to the way concrete can be used in this way.
All that is needed to create your own concrete countertops is wood planking, concrete, tint or stain if desired, a wheelbarrow, trowel and shovel. The wood planking is going to be used to create a frame that is going to be the shape of the counter tops. The frame should be the first thing that is built. When the frames are finished, measure all of the countertops area to get the figures. This will enable you to know how much concrete is going to be needed for the job. It is always better to err on the side of caution by getting more than is what it going to be needed just in case. Concrete is sold in bags so getting an extra bag is always a good idea.
Once the frames are built, mix the concrete according to the manufacturer’s directions, only mix enough to do one countertop at a time plus a little more. Mixing concrete may sound simple but it's important to get you ratios right, otherwise the concrete may crack. Carefully put the concrete in the first frame by using a shovel. Make sure that the concrete overflows the frame by about an inch. This is going to be packed in to make the counter top more durable. By using the trowel, you can level off the concrete using the frame edges as a guide.
This is the second most important step with the mixing being the first. The countertop needs to be completely level and smooth in order to finish it properly unless a texture is going to be put in by using a special trowel. Any items that are going to be set in the concrete should be done at the finish so that they can be leveled off as well. Any polishing should be done when the countertops are completely cured. Remember that with concrete countertops the sky is the limit, but be sure you know how all the different products work before you start the project. If in doubt it would be wise to consult a professional, and always put safety first.
