Concrete Countertops Refurbishing Home Decor

Few remodeling alterations in a home are more coveted than the concrete kitchen countertop. Unlike usual expectations, concrete countertops are spectacular visually, far different from the sidewalk or garage look and more in the line of a wood siding or a clay pavers, depending on the look the designer aims for.

The advantages of concrete countertops are large if not manifold and far outweigh the disadvantages. Concrete is cheap, durable and flexible and you can design your countertop with a built-in sink to directly sweeps crumbs and spills into, rather than brush them off the surface and then sweep the floor. But pouring concrete is messy and the right engineering must be carefully done to get the desired results.

Concrete countertops are easily made with the help of few bags of concrete, some special ingredients to enhance the strength, color smoothness and patience. You may use your garage or greenhouse for the casting as concrete takes about three or four weeks to dry and reach full strength. For a color like ordinary concrete or darker, it is advisable start with bags of premixed concrete. A lighter color can be achieved from the right concentrations of white Portland cement, mason's sand and pea gravel. You may want to make several square foot samples before you reach the right mix for your project.
A 3/4-inch melamine-coated particleboard will help you build the mould to pour your concrete in with drywall screws or a pneumatic stapler to fasten the sides. Voids for the sink and tap may be built with plywood and secured to the mould with more screws.

Pouring of the concrete must be done as quickly as possible so that each batch sticks to the next. The dry ingredients must be mixed first using a masons hoe with holes and the liquid materials must be poured in next, gradually, blending the mixture at all times. Installation of the concrete countertop is the last step of the process where you will need plenty of hands. Fix the slab with construction adhesive and seal the exposed surfaces. Buff the countertop after it dries and applies a coat of acrylic clear finish and your new kitchen accessory is ready for use.

Apart from concrete countertops, the material can be used to build fireplaces, sinks and barbecues and also in the form of floor overlays and replacements. The use of decorative concrete is known in designer circles for its simplicity, elegance and aesthetic value and almost all wooden fixtures and permanent surfaces can be transformed into concrete to lend your house a plush, cool and stylish appeal that you are sure to treasure for years to come. concrete countertops