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Professional Dallas, GA on Apr 24, 2012

Big island concrete countertop in the works

This island is still almost ready to deliver and install. This top drops down on the end to cover the entire side of the cabinets. We rolled it out side and the sun was shining and causing too much glare to get a good picture of the whole thing.

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9 Comments

Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Do you mean an entire slab of concrete is on hinges and can drop down? How heavy is that, and what is holding it up when it is up? Or do I totally misunderstand?

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Burco Surface & Decor Dallas, GA

The cabinet its going to sit on will hold it up. No hinges its all one piece, just imagine the letter "L", except sideways. Thats the best way to describe it. It is about 8' x 4' and the drop down is 36" tall and 4' wide
I think it weighs about 600lbs. heres about the only descent picture i have of the drop down edge. Once its installed i will be able to get better pictures
on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Steve G Fort Collins, CO

Oh, I thought you meant part of the countertop dropped down to save space when needed. That makes more sense. Curious to see the whole piece.

on Apr 24, 2012 · Like 0
Sue C Alexandria, IN

as always cost? please.

on Apr 25, 2012 · Like 0
Stone-Crete Artistry Burns, TN

Good job bro....

on Apr 27, 2012 · Like 0
Melissa K Blythewood, SC

We built a 36" square island in the kitchen and covered the top with vinyl squares that look like marble. Folks love this, but I would like to make my own concrete slab on the top. Help on how to begin, tools? Saw a video of a paint that looks like marble painted onto concrete on tv but can't remember the steps.

on May 23, 2012 · Like 0
Stone-Crete Artistry Burns, TN

dont paint concrete. need a translucent stain that you can apply then sorta wipe off with water. multiple layers is when it gets darker and darker.. water also will give you movement like marble.. Burco is the master!

on May 24, 2012 · Like 0
Burco Surface & Decor Dallas, GA

Melissa, I wish i was the master, concrete has a mind of its own and can be a pain to work with on any given day. But like Stone-crete said, you dont want to paint the concrete! it will never stay on, you will have to stain it or use integral color. If i had to guess you watched someone acid stain concrete to get the marbled look. I dont want to discourage you from trying but to make concrete countertops look like some of the pictures you see online, it takes alot of practice...years! ...»
There are so many tools you need to do it right, by the time you buy them all it would be cheaper to hire a professional.
Stone-Crete posted some pictures of integrally colored concrete samples that look like marble, actually better than marble. But the method he used is not something just anyone can make, the material you need is not sold at Home Depot or Lowes. Its a special mix along with lot of knowledge,experience, and practice.
The way i got the variation in the pictures above were by creating voids that i fill after the top came out of the form, and by making multiple batches that had different consistencies.
Good luck with your countertops and if you have any more questions i will do the best i can to answer them.

on May 24, 2012 · Like 0
Melissa K Blythewood, SC

Thanks Burco. Needed that answer befroe I bit off my than my husband could chew. It would probably be easier for me to do as a lady told me, to go to a granite slab producer and see if I could find a discard about the same dimensions as my island. Whew! I am so glad you answered this...my God...leave it to the professionals when you need to. Thanks again.

on May 25, 2012 · Like 0