Professional Atlanta, GA on Aug 08, 2012

DIY Cement Counter Tops!!!****????///// Don't even think about it!!! Here is our experience.

Difficult, messy beyond belief. More expensive than we thought. Wanted to cry & give up....at one point I hated them, but now, ah....I have to admit, well, you decide... Do they look good? Oh yeah, was it worth it? Yes it was.

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Durrock on top of the cabinets, forms & supports under that. Wire to strengthen, plastic molds to hold the cement in & form an edge. Those are snapped off later.
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Rent a cement mixer, add color, cement, & chemicals that prevent cracking. Get someone strong to lug it in in 5 gallon buckets & pour it onto the counter.Over & ov...
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Watch it drip down the plastic after you all trowel it smooth an beat it & vibrate it with a sander, do it some more....do it again! And again!!! And again!
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You cannot quit now, keep going.
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Let the stuff dry & hope. Now, sand for days & days & hours & hours. The dust is everywhere & even scratching the floor. Of course you put plastic down & tar...
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Put two coats of chemicals on the entire thing to seal it. Hope the shine ends up less shinny. Get out of the house because the chemical odor is noxious.
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Wa la, bada bing!! It is a miracle! I like it!
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Lovely edge. I will never, ever do it again. I do however like the counters. Now I can have the cabinet doors installed & drawer fronts attached. But that is anothe...

52 Comments Displaying 25 of 52 comments | See Previous

Rachel Shoemaker Tulsa, OK

I would love this, out in my garage on my workbench or out in my potting shed!

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 2
ProSource Bell, CA

I wonder if you could fabricate a rotating steel trowel from a variable speed drill and an old metal fan blade?
Power steel trowels, with laser guides, are how they accurately smooth large pieces of concrete in construction.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Sharron W Memphis, TN

@ All of Y'all, especially Burco.....It has to be a video with audio sound....this is an adult website for the most part...LOL we can take it... HaHaHa.... That is just hysterical

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
MaryAnn D Ocala, FL

Love the end results

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Monica Koerperich Ocean Springs, MS

LOL, gotta laugh..hahahahha..

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Sharon V Grants Pass, OR

Is it as porous as it looks in the photos? I would worry about that in a kitchen enviornment.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Suzanne Giaimo

All of your hard work paid off royally. Gorgeous!

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Debbie C Kalamazoo, MI

When we rebuilt our house I wanted the concrete countertops - so my brother and I did it. I love them...so durable. It was messy - but I didn't mind the mess.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Sue Block South Milwaukee, WI

You posting of the process to put these countertops in was hilarious...now you can laugh!? They do look great! I know you said that you wouldn't have put granite ones in, but we decided to do just that a couple of years ago and I'm really loving them! We got them from a co. that has them finished with a sealant so you never have to reseal them! Our counters are the only thing that we had someone else install...all other aspects of our new expanded kitchen was designed, restructured and put together by myself, my husband and my son-in-law!

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Nancy Hunt-Mcdonald Leesburg, FL

You did a fantastic job, it really turned out professional looking. It might of been a lot of work but years down the road, you'll look back and say "I remember the mess it was to put these counter tops in, but wasn't it worth it."

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Debbi W

wow you did a good job. We are concrete contractors and I love my concrete acid stained counter tops, you know you can take something right out of the oven sit it on the counter and never worry about it burning. makes cooking so ez. Well done now enjoy!

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 1
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

Sue, you are my kinda girl! I laugh through all phases of life, it's the only way ta go! Here are today's photos of my grandbabies enjoying the effort! That is what it is all about. Debbie, I forgot about that.... I will enjoy the carefree aspect of the counters.
on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 1
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

Michael Ballacchino is coming Monday with the cabinet doors and drawer faces...ooooolala! I have a metal shop that is custom making the hardware & straps that I designed, I will post our progress.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 1
Laurie K

Well, congrats that all the hard work paid off for you. But in my opinion dark countertops like these are ugly. I don't understand why everyone goes for these dark kitchens today. Dark appliances, dark countertops, dark cupboards. I like light-colored, bright countertops in a nice light kitchen.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Becky H Tampa, FL

That's a wonderful pic. Lee Anne! So you have little helpers.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Kelly S Bremerton, WA

I wondered what you had been up to. Simply beautiful Le Anne simply beautiful.

on Aug 10, 2012 · Like 0
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

Laurie, I also like the light, it lifts my spirits. I personally went dark & have waaaay tooo much brown wood because this is my husbands dream cabin at last. I gave in to his request because the first section of this home is log and he said that all the other homes have been my way for 36 years. Also, I respect your opinion and each persons right to personal style and flair. That is what keeps my job fun and challenging as a designer. Lastly, we have a lot of dust here on the ranch & I ...»
am a type "A" if I see it, I will have a cloth in my hand at all times.

on Aug 11, 2012 · Like 4
Monica Koerperich Ocean Springs, MS

Lee Anne C... I love your counter top. The light color makes a difference. The way you did it makes me feel happy, the dark brown one made me feel kinda sad. I will try to get some made like yours when I get to that part of my kitchen fix up.

on Aug 12, 2012 · Like 1
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Lee Anne C sooo how are things going? How do you ike your countertop now that time has passed? What else have you done, I havent been keeping up, but I would love to know!

on Oct 22, 2012 · Like 0
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

I looovvvvve my counter top Bernice! And my kitchen is coming along fantastically! I love it. I will publish it when I am done. Thank you for asking.

on Oct 22, 2012 · Like 2
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Looking forward to it!

on Oct 23, 2012 · Like 0
Terri J York, PA

Lee Anne, If only I were closer and money really grew on trees, I would love you to decorate my home. I don't think you have ever been a part of something, that I did not enjoy looking at and your comment about giving into your husband's dream cabin makes me appreciate everyone's individual taste even more!!!

on Oct 23, 2012 · Like 2
Culpepper Carpets and Int... Atlanta, GA

Terri, thank you for your kind words, they were well received this morning!

on Oct 24, 2012 · Like 1
Bernice H Yakima, WA

Yuupp! moi aussi! Me too!

on Oct 24, 2012 · Like 0
M Gail Greene Charleston, SC

You definatley worked very hard on the counter, and U had great results, Beautiful Job !:-)

on Dec 23, 2012 · Like 0