Advice On DIY Concrete Countertop for a Kitchen
Thinking about adding concrete countertops to your kitchen or bathroom then you will find this article of interest.
08/02/2022
cemcrete.co.za
Plenty of homeowners love the idea of installing concrete countertops in their kitchen or bathroom, but until now it has been a somewhat difficult task with not knowing how they will turn out if you do it yourself. Getting the cement mix perfect achieves perfect results but it isn't always that easy.
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Applications for Concrete Countertops
Countertop Mix from Cemcrete.co.za removes any uncertainty from installing DIY concrete countertops as everything you need is pre-mixed in a 3-component blend of cements and admixtures to produce your very own high-strength kitchen or bathroom countertops. You can use the same Countertop Mix for other projects as well such as concrete table tops for both indoors and outdoors or perhaps even a concrete countertop for an outdoor bar or kitchen.
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Cemcrete's Countertop Mix is available in grey, white, and super-white but can be used with ColourCem for even more colour choices.
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Custom Countertops
Purchasing the Countertop Mix from Cemcrete.co.za allows you to alter the appearance of the concrete countertop if you want to change the appearance by using a selection of aggregates. Additionally, the Countertop Mix allows you the freedom to manufacture a countertop design to your specifications such as size, shape and thickness. Cemcrete offers a variety of aggregates to choose from, but you can asp add pebbles or stones that are dense enough to be polished when finishing. Tumbled glass may also be incorporated into the Countertop Mix.
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How to use the Countertop Mix
1. Take measurements
Before purchasing the Countertop Mix, measure up the area where the countertop is to be installed. Measurements need to be accurate and exact, so don't rush through this step if you want the concrete countertops to be the perfect fit.
2. How much Countertop Mix you will need
The Countertop Mix is supplied in 20Kg bags and combined with 4 bags of ColourCem and aggregate 20Kg (5 or 6mm coloured stone) will give you a countertop that is 1m x 1m and 40mm thickness. If you don't need the coloured stone, the mix will give you a countertop of 1m x 1m x 30mm thickness.
3. Assemble the form or mould
As with any concrete casting, you will need to make a form or mould to the exact size. You can use inexpensive laminated board for this such as BisonBord or SupaWood but it needs to be laminated so as to make it easier to remove once the cement has cured. Apply silicone sealant to all joints using a caulking gun and allow this to dry for the specified time before pouring the Countertop Mix into the form.
4. Note the guidelines
The minimum thickness for the finished concrete countertop is 20mm and you can increase the thickness up to 40mm using sufficient aggregate. You can ask for advice from cemcrete.co.za on this or have a professional make and install the countertop for you.
5. Casting the countertop
Pour the cement mix into the mould and tap around the form gently with a rubber mallet to release any trapped air bubbles. Wait for approximately 1-hour or until the cement has begun its setting process and then cover with a plastic sheet before leaving for a day. After that, remove the plastic and give a light misting of water before covering it up again with the plastic sheet. Repeat this process a second time and then leave for 3 to 4 days, letting the moisture sit on the surface.
After a curing period of 4 days, the set countertop can be removed from the form and allow full curing for 4 days. Further instructions regarding the curing period will be supplied by Cemcrete on the product packaging.
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Finishing the countertop
If you have used aggregate in the Countertop Mix and need to reveal this, use a diamond polishing pad over the top of the countertop.
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