DIY Concrete Countertops
Are They Easy To Make?

DIY concrete countertops are not for the faint of heart. These countertops are heavy, difficult to make and also require special knowledge to construct properly. Unless you have extensive knowledge of concrete additives, the type of concrete needed, proper reinforcing to prevent cracks, how to polish concrete, how to make a concrete mold, and how to properly seal concrete, this would be better left to a professional.

I'm not trying to tell you not to try and make your own concrete countertops. I'm simply letting you know what's involved in making DIY concrete countertops. Concrete countertops fabricators have extensive knowledge in all of these areas of constructing a concrete top. That's why the price tag is steep when these are professionally made.

The materials themselves are not that expensive, it's the time, knowledge, and proper finishing that makes these tops so expensive. The shear number of ingredients and aggregates that are involved in the fabrication process are amazing. Not to mention all of the specialized tools needed to make these tops.

Now on the bright side there are some kits available to help you with some of this. ConcreteExchange.com has kits that contain pigments and other materials necessary in making the mix of concrete. The kit does not include anything else but the pigments and other stabilizing materials so you will still have to make a mold, get the proper concrete, and have the proper tools on hand.

I would very highly recommend getting a book or two on how to make a concrete countertop. This book also comes with an instructional DVD.

The concrete itself is not the same concrete you use for walkways and foundations. The concrete needed is non air-entrained. Air entrained concrete has a lot of microscopic air bubbles, you don't want this in a countertop. You want a DIY concrete countertop that is solid, dense, and has no air bubbles.

You also need to be sure your existing cabinets will hold the weight of your new DIY concrete countertops. Concrete that's 2 inches thick can weight up to 25 pounds per square foot. To ensure the concrete has a stable and level surface to lay on, you may need to install 3/4 inch plywood on top of the cabinets. This also adds extra weight to the tops of the cabinets.

If you do decide to tackle a DIY concrete countertop I would recommend starting out small. Try making one for the kitchen island or a small section of countertop on one side of the stove or sink, or even a small countertop for your bathroom or utility room.. With a little practice you may be able to make one like the pro's but just keep in mind this is a difficult project that may take many tries to get perfect results.

DIY Network has a fantastic page on making a concrete countertop. It's a good primer on how it's done, plus it has pictures. I recommend reading the article to find out if it's really something you want to tackle.

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