I don’t think I’ve ever been more nervous and excited about a project!! Concrete countertops are something we’ve always wanted to do but being novice DIY’s we weren’t sure we could tackle it by ourselves. Insert: Concrete Countertop Solutions. They honestly make the whole process “dummy proof”.
You’re probably wondering why concrete?! This is my husband and I’s 4th house in seven years. We like to remodel and then move. We’ve done solid surface, granite and quartz countertops. We wanted something different and less expensive since our current countertops are 72sq ft! We had a brief moment when we thought we would do butcher block but as soon as we saw Concrete Countertop Solutions product we knew we wanted Concrete.
For those that missed Part 1 one of the kitchen remodel. Here is what it looked like when we moved in.
This is what it looked like after painting and adding the top. You can read more about it HERE.
Okay, enough background, let’s get to it! Everything we used was from Concrete Countertop Solutions! They were super helpful and have FULL how-to videos!
First we removed our old countertops.
Then we put down 1/2 Cement Board on top of the countertops.
Once that was done, we cut out the template for our sink and got that installed. We did have to brace it underneath.
Once compete we moved on to adding the ZForms. We did need the “Full” package since we had 72sqft of countertops. We also installed the sink form and braced it after so it would stay in place.
Then you insert the Fiber Glass Mesh. Make sure to use gloves for this part!
You secure the mesh by screwing in ZClips.
NOW IT’S GAME TIME!! READY TO POUR!! With Concrete Countertops product you mix one 60lb bag of Quikcrete Sand Topping Mix with one of their Z Liqui-Crete. It makes the concrete more of a liquid to make it easier to spread!
We did rent a mixer to make this process go faster (it only took us 2 hours to pour the countertops) but you definitely don’t have to.
After that you hit it with the screed to level it off.
It is messy so I was really happy we covered the floors and cabinets.
After a little bit we then hit it with the magnesium float. (this brings the water to the surface) Then you wait a little bit longer and you can hit it with the chrome finishing trowel. You will continue to trowel until you are happy. My husband ended up troweling 3 times.
Once troweling is done you need to wait 24-48 hours before you can remove the forms. They simply snap off which is what makes Concrete Countertop Solutions so amazing!
Once the forms come off the wait really begins. You need to wait 10 DAYS to seal the countertops. We choose a matte/satin seal. But first you need to lightly sand.
Then you can seal.
As you can see it does darken the counters slightly.
Before I show you what you really came here to see (aka the finished product) I do want you to know a few things!
The countertops can we colored. They do not have to be grey. You can also stain them. The edging can also be changed. They have tons of different options! The cost for everything came in under $1,000 and that includes all the tools we purchased, cement, and the mixer we rented.
Okay okay, here they are!!! I am so HAPPY with how they turned out!!!
What do you think?! Do you love them as much as I do!?! Let me know if you have any questions!!!
~ Julie // Sisters that Shop
