Concrete counter tops - anyone made some?

[Monkey Mark]

I'm considering concrete counter tops when we eventually get round to the new kitchen.

There seems to be various different methods of doing this i.e. cast in place, over skim, or making in a mold then locating, so wondered if anyone on here had made any? If you have, which method did you use and how did it turn out?

Cheers, Mark

 

[custard]

Good post Mark, I'll be watching this thread with interest as I've had a few requests for concrete topped furniture but haven't felt confident enough to say yes.

 

[Phil Pascoe]

Can't help with the question, but an observation - a friend some years ago had granite tops and wished them in hell because of the amount of cracked glasses and chipped crockery. Worth a thought?

 

[No skills]

There was a small thread on woodworkuk a long while ago about concrete tops. Might be worth a Google.

 

[MattRoberts]

I've contemplated this myself, and some a fair bit of research on it. I'd be interested in the durability of skimmed tops, as that seems a lot easier than forming solid concrete ones.

Interesting article on it here http://littlegreennotebook.blogspot.co. ... s.html?m=1 and here referencing the feather finish they use http://www.abeautifulmess.com/2014/01/c ... p-diy.html

 

[Woody2Shoes]

Hi - I haven't made one ('er indoors eventually vetoed my suggestion and we went for synthetic stone in the end). However, while researching I found this book in the library and would highly recommend it:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concrete-Count ... 1561584843

Cheers, W2S

PS If I were doing it, I'd go for a cast-in-situ approach

 

[custard]

Blimey, some great advice there. Thank you.

 

[bugbear]

Someone on this forum was researching casting high-end concrete "items".

Hang on (goes away, does a search).

It was flanajb

taking-my-business-forward-how-and-do-i-need-to-rethink-t94341.html

BugBear

 

[sunnybob]

I've tried, but I just cant come up with any reason to have concrete work surfaces.
What on earth is the attraction?

 

[Monkey Mark]

Some good advice and links, thanks.

I've tried, but I just cant come up with any reason to have concrete work surfaces.
What on earth is the attraction?

For myself, three main reasons.
Firstly, our kitchen shape means the next layout will likely be a U shape. I'd like to go for a seamless finish.
Secondly, cheap worktops tend to look exactly that, cheap. I can't stretch to solid wood or granite so think concrete could be a possible solution.

Thirdly, i intend to make an outdoor BBQ area in a curved shape and think concrete could give a good finish in any shape i decide on and cope with the outdoor conditions nicely.

 

[MattRoberts]

I've tried, but I just cant come up with any reason to have concrete work surfaces.
What on earth is the attraction?

Polished concrete is all the rage now!

 

[sunnybob]

I must be older than I look. It's still leaving me slightly bemused.

 

[No skills]

I think it was "all the rage" on grand designs about 10 years ago, as ever it takes years for the fashion to filter down to the man on the street who hasn't got 400k plus to build a plush pad in Cheshire

I like the idea cos it's cheap to do, very customisable and requires little in the way of skill to get a working counter top.

 

[Jake]

Terrazzo is ancient tech, what comes around goes around (and tech makes things easier).

 

[bugbear]

IIRC there was a segment on "How It's Made" on this.

BugBear

 

[rafezetter]

I'd be interested in a wip on this as well - its something I've been considering dabbling in for a while.

 

[HOJ]

I'd be interested in a wip on this as well - its something I've been considering dabbling in for a while.

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