How to Pour a Cement Countertop

Concrete countertops can be beautiful and long-lasting. They can be made to resemble quarry stone or even granite. The best part about concrete countertops, is that they are the fraction of the cost of granite or quarry stone.

Things You'll Need

• Graph paper
• Pencil
• 3/4 inch particleboard coated with melamine
• Circular saw
• Drywall screws
• Drill
• Concrete mix
• Tape
• Caulk and caulk gun
• Diamond lathe
• Aviation snips
• Cement mixer
• Belt sander
• Dust mask
• Float
• Screed
• Plastic
• Concrete sealer
• Scouring pad
• Acrylic finish
• Buffer pad

Instructions

Make the Form

1. Decide what the dimensions of the countertop will be. It might be helpful for you to draw your design on graph paper first when you pour a concrete countertop.

2. Cut one of the pieces of particleboard coated with melamine so that it's the same size as the footprint of your countertop. Cut four more pieces of the particleboard so that they are 2 1/4 inches wide for the form. Make sure that when you cut the two pieces for the length that they are 1 1/2 inches longer than the length of the counter.

3. Use a drill to pre-drill holes in the particleboard for the screws. Screw the form together with a screw gun with the longest pieces on the outside of the form when you pour a concrete countertop.

4. Put tape on the inside joints of the form. Use painters tape. Use a caulk gun to apply a generous amount of caulk in the joints. By doing this, you help to create an effective seal when you pour concrete countertops. Smooth the caulk with your finger, then remove the tape. If you see that you've missed a spot with the caulk, add some more.

5. Cut lengths of diamond lathe with aviation snips. Cut the lengths so they will run lengthwise inside the form and end inch inch from the form's edge.

Mix the Concrete

1. Mix together concrete mix and water in a cement mixer. Make sure you wear a dust mask as you do so. Mix the ingredients together at intervals, a little at a time. Follow the directions on the concrete mix bag to ensure you add the proper amount of concrete when you pour a concrete countertop.

2. Pour the concrete with care into the form. Smooth the surface of the concrete with a float. Push the concrete to the sides so that the concrete is level. If the concrete does not fill the form, add more as needed when you pour a concrete countertop. Remember to keep on smoothing the concrete with the float as you do so.

3. Get rid of air pockets in the concrete when you pour a concrete countertop. Place the power sander against the outside of the form. Turn the sander on, and move the sander around outside of the entire form.

4. Use a screed to smooth the surface of the concrete countertop as well as any extra concrete.

5. Use a sheet of plastic to cover the concrete. Allow the concrete to set for at least 10 days. After the concrete has set, remove the form.

Finish the Concrete Countertop

1. Seal the surface of the concrete countertop with a concrete sealer. Apply it according to the manufacturers instructions.

2. Allow the sealer to dry, then smooth it with the scouring pad. A Scotchbrite pad works well in this application.

3. Do a final finish on the concrete countertop. Use an acrylic sealer because this not only seals well but creates a smooth, shiny finish.

4. Buff the surface with a buffer pad. Insert the pad into a drill and use it to buff the surface when you pour the concrete countertop.

Resources

• Painter's tape
• Lowes has caulk