How to Achieve a Terrazzo Look in Concrete Counter Tops

When installing a concrete counter top, you can add some pizzazz by giving it a terrazzo look. This is a moderately easy task, which requires you to add bits of other material to your concrete during casting and then grinding the finished surface to expose these decorative pieces. Common items to use include decorative aggregates, semi-precious stones and tumbled glass. The end result is a one-of-a-kind counter top that adds beauty to a plain concrete slab.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Add broken glass or any other kind of aggregate to either to the concrete as you stir it, or you can scatter it into to form then put the concrete on top of it to achieve a terrazzo look in your concrete counter tops. Different types of aggregate you can use is mother-of-pearl, bits of pottery, or anything you can think of, including semi-precious stones.

2. Make sure you add at least 50 percent more broken glass, if you choose to add it to the form first, as not all of it will rise up to the surface of the concrete when you pour in and vibrate the concrete. You want to make sure enough does so you can achieve the terrazzo effect.

3. Put either some glue that’s water soluble in with the glass or some adhesive to the bottom of the form. Both methods will ensure the glass won’t rise to the surface in a big clump as you pour in the concrete. Just make sure you don’t add too much so that none of the glass rises to the surface.

4. Let the concrete cure until it’s nice and hard, and then grind the top of the counter top with a fairly abrasive pad to expose the broken glass or whatever other aggregate you chose to add to the concrete. It’s up to you how much you wish to grind away. By exposing the broken glass or whatever you’ve added, you have achieved a terrazzo effect in a concrete counter top. Polish the counter top, then seal it so you're lovely work will last.

[muddymom]

on 4/29/2009 Great article...Any pictures?