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I have an older home with ugly ceramic tile for the kitchen counter. While waiting for an entire kitchen remodel, in
the meantime, I want to resurface the counters with concrete. I’m planning on leaving the tile but will remove the
grout and rough up the tile surface a bit. I’ll use a sanded concrete or one with a synthetic additive.
I’m figuring that I’ll have to sand the surface smooth once its set.
Does anyone have any hints or opinions? Can you recommend a food safe sealer?
Replies
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Sand the surface? concrete? with what?
What about height and weight - you will be adding a couple of inches, right?
*Do not try to sand a concrete counter top. The smooth finish is made by troweling the concrete as it cures. As it gets harder and harder, you keep troweling it with a steel trowel and you will achieve a very, very smooth finish. You can apply stain or color at this stage and trowel it in. Don't forget the steel mesh reinforcing for strength and to prevent cracks.
*It does not sound like you have a good plan.maybe read up on the process first.
*There is an article on concrete countertops in an old edtion of Fine Homebuilding. You should be able to find the edition number and order it on the taunton web page.
*I recently bought a house built in 1922 with old metal keithen cabinets still in good shape. I'm going to rehab and resell the house in obout two years. I'm considering doing concrete counter tops over the restored metal cabinets. I'm interested in suggestions for structural support, forming and finishing techniques. Thanks!
*Don't pay attention to the nay-sayers Catherine. You can sand cured concrete counter-tops. Its a messy job; one that I have just completed. Use an appropriate grit sanding disk in a grinder (talk to the sand-paper gurus about what is best for concrete). Wear every single thing that you can think of to protect against the dust and, go at it in a fairly gingerly fashion as, the disk has a tendency to to go too far
*Catherine, another thing I forgot to mention is that, if you are thinking of doing concrete tops, go to the beach and collect bucketfuls of pretty stones to mix with the batch. It is a bit of a crap-shoot but, at sanding time you will likely get all kinds of pleasant surprises.
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May I suggest that you don't do this. The antique market is hot right now for metal cabs. To me, this would be like painting over a very fine piece of furniture. You or I may not like metal cabs, but alot of folks would pay dearly for them in their original condition.
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I would love to read up on how to do a concrete countertop myself rather than purchase one already made. Does anyone have resource suggestions?
Thanks!
*Hi Rich. Thanks for your reply. Do you suggest that I keep the metal cabinets, strip them, and make use of them in my renovation? Or do you suggest that I remove them and try to sell them on the architectural salvage market? If you suggest that I use them, do you have stripping and refininshing suggestions? If you suggest that I sell them, how do you suggest that I market them? what areas of the country would be hot for old metal cabinnets? thanks for your advice.
*Hi Rich. Thanks for your reply. Do you suggest that I keep the metal cabinets, strip them, and make use of them in my renovation? Or do you suggest that I remove them and try to sell them on the architectural salvage market? If you suggest that I use them, do you have stripping and refininshing suggestions? If you suggest that I sell them, how do you suggest that I market them? what areas of the country would be hot for old metal cabinnets? thanks for your advice.
*Hi Rich. Thanks for your reply. Do you suggest that I keep the metal cabinets, strip them, and make use of them in my renovation? Or do you suggest that I remove them and try to sell them on the architectural salvage market? If you suggest that I use them, do you have stripping and refininshing suggestions? If you suggest that I sell them, how do you suggest that I market them? what areas of the country would be hot for old metal cabinnets? thanks for your advice.
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Catherine,
There are two basic methods of "doing" concrete ctops. You can cast in place, which puts the material where required, but requires skill with a trowel to obtain a nice surface, or you can cast the slab inverted in a mold and install it after the slab has cured. IMO, this will give you a far superior finished surface with no sanding required, but does require muscle to move the finished slab into place. It ia also easier to place a decorative edge on the slab using the second method.
Most regard concrete work as "just concrete", ie, grunt work that anyone can accomplish. Anyone CAN do it, but not all can do it WELL. To me, at least, there is an art to obtaining a fine-trowelled surface, and after several attempts on samples, I was unable to master it to my likeing.
The easiest method, I believe, is to cast inverted using a smooth surface as the base for your mold. You'll get a mirror-gloss finished surface which will be much superior to anything attainable by grinding. Less dust, too!
You plan on installing over your current tile top? Realize that most cctops are 1.5 - 2 inched thick, it will raise the finished height of your current work surface by that amount.
There are a myriad food sealers, either penetrating that require frequent (6 month) reapplication, or impervious, that coat and require renewal less often. I used the former.
It's a nice surface to have in the kitchen, best of luck with your project.
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Does any one have an idea of how much professionally made and installed concrete countertops cost per lin or sq. ft? Is it competative with Corian or Granite? I like the looks and have had a lot of interest from clients but would'nt attempt to do it myself. Would appreciate some info.. Thanks.
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If you'll consider Fireslate concrete - which it is - around $30 sq ft for the raw material - plus shipping.
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Everything that I've read indicates that if done methodically, and by the book, it should be a straight forward job. A few things to remember: you will have to ensure that the underlying cabinets are proprly braced to support the wegiht. This often done in conjunction with the creation of the form work for the pour. Also, remember that because concrete is "plastic", you can get creative with the form work (i.e. use crown molding facing in to form the edges of the counter top. Also, as mentioned in other responses of the same subject, make sure to use a wire mesh in the middle or upper third of the pour to prevent future cracks.
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Steve we do concerte counter tops and find that we are a little less then corian and a lot less then granite. We pour all our tops in place and back splashes are poured from molds(site made) and then set in place. Most off your cost is labor, a average top takes around four days to do. Everone that we have done has turned out great and the owners have been very happy and sent a lot of work to us. It takes a lot to get the hang of doing these and it just takes practice
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I've seen Fireslate used for kitchen countertops and loved the results. What is involved - i.e. is the raw material purchased and then poured in place, or do you order pre-made tops?
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You (or your contractor) buy raw material - I think is 98" by 50" or so - and cut and tool it with carbide bladed tools. Contact them for a sample, spec sheets, and instructions for how to work with it.
For over 2 years I've been asking on various boards for someone with experience and I haven't found one person. So I am planning on going it on my own with instructions from supplier.
*Go to this page in the archives:http://www.taunton.com/breaktimearch/messages/8158.htm
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Can anyone tell me any secrets of concrete c-top installation? I think i need to form in place, I am a remodeler of older homes and consider myself very skilled in most aspects of constuction but I have never done this. I need advise on the mix, dye, finishing, support, etc. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Jay Northern State Properties, St. Paul, MN (612) 484-7574.
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I have an older home with ugly ceramic tile for the kitchen counter. While waiting for an entire kitchen remodel, in
the meantime, I want to resurface the counters with concrete. I'm planning on leaving the tile but will remove the
grout and rough up the tile surface a bit. I'll use a sanded concrete or one with a synthetic additive.
I'm figuring that I'll have to sand the surface smooth once its set.
Does anyone have any hints or opinions? Can you recommend a food safe sealer?