Replies

1. 
   Michael_Rimoldi | Jan 15, 2002 06:14am | #1

   *
   Matt,

   SWEEEEETTTT!!!! Is that some sort of terrazzo?

   Mike

1. 
   matt_hambrick | Jan 15, 2002 10:23am | #2

   *Hey Mike- Thanks. It did turn out pretty nice. It's kind of a bastard terrrazo. Marble pieces and a two pour process. Wood work is mahogany custom milled for this project. We also do fireplaces, mantels, custom mouldings, whatever and the cooler the better. Check out our website if you get a chance. http://www.leovait.com Matt Hambrick

1. 
   Mike_Smith | Jan 16, 2002 02:08am | #3

   *great , matt.. was that poured into a form upside down .. did you grind and buff the top ?...

1. 
   matt_hambrick | Jan 17, 2002 12:30am | #4

   *Hello Mike- I poured it as you normally would with any other kind of concrete form and yes...ground the top with a slurry. Starting a whole kitchen this weekend so I will get some pics here after we finish.

1. 
   Rich_Watkins | Jan 17, 2002 04:00am | #5

   *Matt,How much dust is created when you grind it? By the way it is waaaaay coooool!!!

2. 
   matt_hambrick | Jan 17, 2002 07:19am | #6

   *Hey Rich- Dust isn't much of a problem because you use a water attachment on your grinder. But the water run off is a little messy so all finish wood goes on after. Coordination with other trades (ie. finish floor) is important because of the mess. This was poured on site but ground and sealed before actually being put into place so no water on the cabinets. Thanks. Matt

3. 
   Bill_Richardson | Jan 17, 2002 05:03pm | #7

   *Matt, very nice. Not your usual island shape either, what type wood on the ends/sides? Good job and lookin' for those next pics.

4. 
   matt_hambrick | Jan 23, 2002 03:22am | #8

   *Bill- Thanks. Most everything my partner and I build/design has some kind of curve in it. The wood is built up mahogany. Just got home from another kitchen island and counter top project. Island is 65 sq.feet with undermount sink. After we grind it I will get some pics on this site. Check out http://www.leovait.com for some more completed projects.

5. 
   Roger_Martini | Jan 23, 2002 09:02pm | #9

   *You should post some of your stuff in the Gallery in the Knots discussion board over in Fine Woodworking. They would eat it up.

6. 
   piffin_ | Feb 02, 2002 05:19pm | #10

   *Self cleaning - everything slides right off it!Very beautiful work!

7. 
   Rich_ | Feb 05, 2002 08:20am | #11

   *Floor looks like it could be Koa.

8. 
   Bucksnort_Billy | Feb 10, 2002 09:25pm | #12

   *Matt, another nice job. How is the wood edging attached?

9. 
   matt_hambrick | Feb 11, 2002 11:43pm | #13

   *Buck- Edging pieces are attached to one another with a polyurethatne glue. Trim pieces once together have galvanized wood screws driven in below the concrete line on the inside (just like rebar dowels out of a concrete stem wall to tie into a slab) and then the pour holds it all together after it sets up. I like doing this kind of stuff because it is like concrete form work (which I also like for some strange reason) on a miniature scale. Also doesn't make my back or fingers hurt unless the Hilti breaks and I have to crush up the terrazo by hand.

10. 
    Gene_Davis_ | Feb 12, 2002 04:54am | #14

    *Matt, some of my colleagues here are interested in concrete countertop work, as an alternative to the stone used on most projects. Isn't the terazzo you do an extension of basic form, pour, and finish concrete countertops, with decorative aggregate used and then grind and polish work done? Give us a quick primer, including tools used. Thanks!

11. 
    Gene_Davis_ | Feb 12, 2002 05:46am | #15

    *I am a dope for asking. Should have done some research first. Went on line and found out there is conventional cementitous terrazzo, and the epoxy thinset type. In both cases, a mix of cement and marble chips is troweled onto a substrate (usually concrete) and allowed to cure, then rough and fine ground, then cleaned up and grouted, then polished. But what exactly did you do to do it on a countertop?

12. 
    matt_hambrick | Feb 12, 2002 06:56am | #16

    *Gene- Well you've pretty much got it. What do you mean by "cementious terrazo?"...is that a sort of redi-mix for the top coat? We do pour a substrate of portland, aggregate as you would anything but add fiber and glue plus put down a pretty stiff mix. Then apply more concrete glue before top coat. Top coat is white cement, silica sand and of course the cool looking aggregate. The larger your aggregate the more you have to grind (and of course you pour more) so we go with a 1/4" minus aggregate.It is like you say just basic flatwork but on a miniature scale if you are used to big pours. The only really special tool is the Alpha grinder (20000 rpm)and plenty of time. We order our pads from HIS Stoneworks in Asheville, NC. Substrate is reenforced like any other slab. Where are you located? Maybe I can build you one. Good luck.

13. 
    Gene_Davis_ | Feb 12, 2002 04:26pm | #17

    *We are in Lake Placid, NY, 5 hours north of the City, and 2 hours south of Montreal. Everybody likes Adirondack Great Camp Style Rustic around here, and granite rules as a c'top surface. Terrazzo would be a breakthrough. How does the cost compare to granite?

14. 
    matt_hambrick | Feb 12, 2002 07:48pm | #18

    *Gene- I'm not sure about cost of terrazo vs. granite but a pour like this island is in the $100/sq.ft. range. I suppose the major difference would be labor...that is nearly all the cost on these countertops. Maybe granite is higher but installation takes a little less time. I have not worked with granite. Since we form for the pour we are pretty flexible with what sort of shapes we can work into a project. You can see a whole kitchen we poured (concrete only) on our web site. http://www.leovait.com Matt