There is a huge variety of types of countertops; they differ in both appearance and shape. Masters have learned to combine almost incompatible things into one whole. Many interesting works use and combine materials such as wood, glass, metal and concrete. In this work, the author will use three main elements, these will be wood, concrete, and metal, as the element will serve as the internal structure of the future countertop.
In order to make such a tabletop with our own hands, we will need:
Tool:
- saw;
- clamp;
- level;
-putty knife;
- sponge;
- grinder with grinding discs;
- gas-burner;
- sandpaper.
Materials:
- log;
- steel reinforcement;
- stainless steel bolts;
- pigments for painting concrete;
- wax for polishing concrete;
- polyethylene film;
- epoxy resin;
- lumber;
- table base.
The first step will be choosing wood. You can choose any breed you like, or one that is available. The main thing is that the wood is durable and dried in advance.
We take a log and cut a board. In this article wood material The type of wood chosen was Cedar. We leave all the uneven side edges of the board, they are needed in order to convey the natural beauty of the wood.
The thickness of the board can be five to seven centimeters. If you don't have suitable equipment and skills for cutting wood, it would be best to order this workpiece at the nearest sawmill.
When the board is ready, you need to sand the surface as thoroughly as possible. If there are any unevenness or surface gouges, they need to be filled. epoxy resin. In this case, you need to be as careful as possible so that there are no air bubbles in the process.
If bubbles still appear, you need to use gas burner. We bring it up and warm the surface, while trying not to hold it in one place for a long time, as you can damage the wood. Leave the board and wait for the resin to dry.
When the surface is dry, take 220 grit sandpaper and walk over the surface. Next polish with wax.
The next step is to make the tabletop frame.
To do this, you need to take lumber and build an invented shape. The design should be small in size, since in the future the finished product may turn out to be heavy, and we do not need this. The inner side of the frame must be treated with a special compound, this is so that the hardened concrete subsequently easily comes away from it.
We take the board and place it in the center of the frame. We screw stainless steel bolts into the sides of the board, this is to ensure maximum fixation of the concrete and wood.
At the bottom of the frame we place reinforcement of a certain length along the board, this will also serve as additional strengthening of the product.
Next we breed high-strength concrete mortar, while adding a special coloring pigment to it, it should dissolve evenly. When the solution is ready, pour it into the prepared form. This must be done very carefully. It is necessary to exclude as much air as possible. There should be no gaps between the board and concrete. In order for the concrete solution to set best, we walk through it from the outside grinder, it creates vibration, so the solution fills all the voids.
After pouring concrete surface we go through the rules and level it out. Leave to dry. In this case, there is no need to speed up this process, just cover it with polyethylene. In hot weather outside, it is advisable to wipe the surface with water and a sponge.
When the concrete has completely hardened, remove the box and grind it with a grinder with different attachments. We gradually move from the largest to the smallest.
After grinding, small depressions may form on the concrete, which means that air has entered during the pouring process and bubbles remain. We simply fill all these recesses with concrete solution and let them dry, and then sand them again.
Now we carry out wet grinding, that is, we wet the surface with water and grind it. Since the surface is slippery, you need to be as careful as possible, do not forget about safety precautions.
The final stage.
We cover the tabletop with wax and polish it thoroughly.
It may be unusual for us to see such furniture, but concrete products are quite widely produced and used in America and Europe. For example, this table is sold in furniture showrooms priced at almost $800. It seems too expensive even for the average American. On the other hand, if you wish, you can make a similar item yourself.
Of course, in an apartment it’s unlikely that anyone would do such a thing, but in a dacha or in country house there will be a place to work. The first and most important thing to do is to assemble the formwork, a mold for pouring the table.
The formwork is done immediately on the entire product, table top with legs. Use regular boards although possible, it is problematic. It will be difficult to achieve smooth inner surface walls of the mold.
This product can be used as a coffee table, dinner table or a permanent picnic table on the property. Based on the purpose of use, you need to choose the dimensions. This table was made as a coffee table, tabletop size 120/500 mm. , height 600 mm. , the thickness of the legs and table top in this option can be 80-100 mm. .
For the table that you see in the photo, polished Chipboard thickness 20 mm. . Assembly was carried out using self-tapping screws, and all joints were coated with glue. Glue is needed not only for the strength of the formwork, but also for sealing the seams. In any case, after assembly, the seams need to be caulked or filled with silicone.
When pouring concrete, the load on side walls for the legs will be significant. In order not to receive negative emotions, it is better to take care of strengthening the walls in advance. In such cases, concrete workers tighten the walls together with through wire. Here this option is not very good; even after cutting, pieces of wire will stick out from the planes of the supports. It would probably be better to install external stops and slopes.
Concrete will need reinforcement, wire mesh and a round profile 8-10 mm thick. The profile is cut to fit the length of the tabletop + two heights of the legs. We bend it in the shape of the letter P and insert it inside the formwork.
When the formwork is ready, mix concrete based on gravel mass or sand and very fine gravel; large fragments are undesirable here. The concrete should be neither too thick nor too thin. A thick mixture may not easily flow into the legs, while a liquid mixture will leak out.
When filling such forms, it is advisable to use a vibrator, I don’t know how permissible this is here. In any case, lightly tap with a mallet so that the concrete is distributed more evenly.
It is better to dismantle the formwork after the concrete has completely dried, this is at least 5-7 days. The countertop needs to be moistened all the time to prevent it from drying out. After disassembly, sand all corners with a grinder or very coarse sandpaper on a block. Further finishing, primer with colorless compounds or painting with opaque paints. By the way, you can take care of the appearance of the table in advance by adding coloring pigments to the concrete or using colored stone chips as a filler. In this way you can achieve a structure similar to natural stone.
Ready table.
What else do you need to know in advance? The weight of such a table, depending on the size, can be 100 kg. and more. If you are going to install a table at home, then think about whether the floor will support such a mass. On the other hand, this is the weight of a grand piano or piano, and they are in houses. But the use of this item is outdoors can be very profitable.
There is a glass shelf at the bottom. Pictures from the site http://diydelray.com/
Attractive and original interior kitchen space is the dream of every home owner. Some are trying to create it with the help of designers and expensive exclusive materials, others focus on their own imagination and skill. For example, you can make a concrete countertop with your own hands, which will be no different from an elite marble piece.
A concrete countertop will not differ from an elite marble piece.
This solution is ideal for those owners who cannot allocate extra funds to decorate the kitchen and are accustomed to approaching the arrangement of their home creatively. Minimum costs will allow you to make the interior of the kitchen space individual.
Preparing to create a countertop
Before making a tabletop, you need to complete a series preparatory work, which will allow the new element to fit organically and harmoniously into the existing interior. So, you should determine what dimensions the table will have and what it will look like.
Usually the tabletop is made of natural or artificial stone needed to create a work surface located next to the sink or stove. It can also be used in the corner of the kitchen. In any case, the sides of the element must completely follow the relief of the walls, which will create the tightest possible fit.
Before starting work, it is necessary to carefully measure all dimensions, check the angle and draw up a drawing on the basis of which the concrete countertop will be made. Since the weight of the finished tabletop will be quite large, it is recommended to include in the drawing its division into several parts. This will make the manufacturing and processing process simpler and easier and will protect the tabletop from cracking during use.
In addition, the large weight of concrete determines the creation of an additional structure that strengthens the support of the table. Thus, the joints of the tabletop parts must be strengthened with the help of transverse boards made of hard rocks wood In addition, the entire frame of the cabinet should consist of this wood.
When the drawing is ready, you should purchase the materials that you will need to make a concrete countertop with your own hands:
- sand and cement in a ratio of 3:2;
- hardwood boards;
- timber 40x40 or 50x50;
- plywood;
- sheets of plastic with a thickness of at least 1.8 cm;
- reinforcement mesh with small cells;
- polymer concrete on acrylic resin;
- silicone sealant;
- spray adhesive;
- decorative elements: shells, small pebbles, broken glass;
- drying oil or machine oil;
- dye pigments.
In addition, all the necessary tools must be available:
- putty knife;
- grinder with polishing wheels;
- building level;
- screwdriver and screws;
- polyethylene film;
- hacksaw.
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Tabletop manufacturing process
The quality of a countertop made from concrete with your own hands largely depends on compliance with the dimensions when creating a mold for casting. For the base of the form you need to take plastic sheets, the size of which corresponds to the size of the future countertop. A side with a height of about 5-6 cm is mounted along the perimeter of the sheets of timber. The height of the side will determine the thickness of the element.
To seal the mold, all joints and seams are coated silicone sealant. If there is a sink in the countertop, the space for it should be left free, enclosing the required space with partitions made of boards. In addition, the tabletop can be given a rounded shape by using silicone inserts, installed in the corners and removed after the concrete solution has dried.
The next stage is the installation of decorative elements, if they will be used in the manufacture of the tabletop. Shells, glass and other decor must be carefully distributed over the bottom of the mold and secured by sprinkling with spray glue. After this, a metal mesh with small cells is mounted at a height of 2.5-3 cm from the bottom of the mold, which will act as reinforcement.
Then, in order to make the countertop, you need to mix the concrete solution. 3 parts of clean river sand are added to a container with 2 parts of M500 cement. After this, 1 part of a polymer plasticizer for concrete is added. Lastly, water is added. Its quantity should be such that the mixture looks like a cream or paste.
If the countertop needs to have a specific color, pigment dyes are added to the mixture. To give the concrete a uniform color, substances are added to the dry mixture. If it is necessary to obtain stains, as on granite, the pigment is dissolved in a small amount of liquid and mixed with the ready-made concrete mixture.
In order for the countertop to have strictly identical parameters, the concrete solution is poured into a mold set in a horizontal position. Before pouring, the mold should be thoroughly coated with drying oil or machine oil, which will allow you to remove the concrete part without any problems. The horizontality of the form is checked using a building level.
When all the concrete mixture has been poured, the mold is covered with a sheet of plastic greased with drying oil. Then the entire structure is covered with polyethylene on top and left for at least 10 days. After this time, the polyethylene is removed and the formwork is removed. The concrete is left to dry for another 7-8 days.
Something new is constantly appearing in the creation of interior design, and the latest innovation is the elements of concrete present in various furniture, this is especially true in the kitchen or in the country house. However, you should not limit yourself only to kitchen set, a coffee table in the living room with a concrete top will look very original and interesting.
And it’s quite easy to make such a tabletop with your own hands, and you don’t need a lot of experience to create it; almost anyone can make it, the main thing is the desire.
- These countertops are simply irreplaceable. For country furniture : I don’t get wet, they don’t spoil!
- , just cover a worn-out table with it and you will get a super modern thing.
- For the kitchen - they do not deteriorate and are very durable!
Tools
In order to make a coffee table with a rectangular concrete top, we will need:
- Wooden boards.
- Wire mesh for strengthening concrete.
- A piece of 1/2-inch chipboard or plywood to make the desired shape.
- Drywall.
- Screws.
- Pneumatic nailer to attach the sides to the bottom panel.
- Large plastic container for mixing cement.
Instructions for making a tabletop
Step 1: Making a box
Regardless of the size or shape of the countertop, the wire mesh should be two inches smaller in width and height than the chipboard or plywood panels.
We make a box of the shape and size we need from panels and gypsum board. Once the workpiece is completely ready, you can begin mixing the concrete.
Step 2: Pour the concrete
- Mix the cement in a plastic container; for this you can use an ordinary shovel, which you need to thoroughly mix the mixture.
- After this, carefully pour the concrete into the mold up to halfway, distributing it in the corners.
- Cover wire mesh mixture, and then fill the mold to the top so that the mixture protrudes slightly from the top. This is done to make it easier to level the surface and make it smooth; for this purpose it is best to use a spatula.
TIP: After this, you need to leave the mold for several days for the cement to dry completely.
Step 3: Sanding
Then you need to remove mold and sand from the surface. 120-grit sandpaper works well to smooth the countertop.
Then you need to wipe the surface well with a sponge, roller brush or soft cloth.
If you don't want to cover the surface with anything coffee table, then it's best treat the countertop with concrete sealant, then it will look very beautiful and will be more practical.
Step 4: Attach the tabletop to the legs
- Once the top of the coffee table is completely ready, you can use absolutely any base.
- Very beautiful and practical option it will be like this table on wooden legs on wheels, making it easy to move.
- Fastening the table top to the legs liquid nails or silicone glue.
Such an original concrete table will become a real decoration home decor and will make the interior irresistible.
Ideas and photos of countertops and tables made of concrete
With a flowerbed in the middle
For the dacha great option— when pouring concrete, leave a trench where you can plant flowers. Looks very amazing. 
How to lighten the design
- Ideal option and great idea- leave a hole in the middle and make a glass tab. To do this, you need to cut out a trench for the glass tab.
- Also install a concrete countertop on legs with wheels- this is especially appropriate for coffee tables which often have to be moved.
IN Lately Concrete countertops are becoming increasingly popular, which can give your home exclusivity and individuality. Of course, you can invite a designer and builders who will make your dreams and desires come true. But, by showing “miracles of craftsmanship”, it is possible to make a similar product on our own, which in the end will not be inferior to its marble counterpart.
Preparatory stage
A countertop is a work surface that is an integral part of any kitchen. At the first stage, you need to decide on the dimensions of the future product, since it should be harmoniously combined with the already existing interior. Also when creating kitchen countertop With your “golden” hands you need to make sure that it fits as tightly as possible to the wall. To achieve this, you need to carefully measure everything and make an accurate drawing.
Advice! If you want to avoid problems in the manufacture and installation of the countertop, it makes sense to divide the entire product into several elements and take this into account in the drawing, that is, the formwork will be single, but divided into sections.
Also, when designing a kitchen concrete countertop, one must take into account very important point: joints of parts finished product must fit clearly onto the transverse elements of the table frame (otherwise there is a risk of cracks forming).
Required materials and tools
To make a concrete countertop you will need the following materials:
- cement;
- sand (fine, sifted);
- gravel (or expanded clay);
- wooden blocks (size 40 x 40 or 50 x 50 mm);
- boards;
- , laminated chipboard 18 mm thick;
- (for reinforcement);
- silicone sealant;
- decorative elements;
- glue;
- drying oil, vegetable oil or special form;
- pigments – dyes (if you want to have a colored surface).
You will also need the following tools:
- screwdriver and screws;
- Bulgarian;
- hacksaw;
- grinding machine with abrasive discs;
- construction mixer or electric drill with a special attachment;
- building level;
- rule;
- roulette;
- container for preparing the solution;
- respirator, safety glasses and rubber gloves;
- putty knife;
- vacuum cleaner.
Work order
The procedure for making a house countertop from concrete with your own hands is as follows:
- we make formwork for casting the future tabletop based on a previously completed drawing;
- we install it on a workbench, sawhorse or work table (we check the correctness with a level);
- coat the mold with drying oil or vegetable oil(this will make it easier to remove the finished product);
- We place decorative elements on the bottom (there is room for your imagination) and secure them with glue (it is these details that will later become front side your countertop).
- we place a metal mesh in the mold, which we attach to the edges of the formwork with thin wire so that it is raised to a height of 25-30 mm from the bottom of the mold, and during the pouring process the solution appears under and above it;
- preparing concrete mixture using the basic recipe (that is, which includes sand);
- pour into the mold.
If the form will be filled with solution layer by layer, then we adhere to the following order:
- prepare a solution for the layer that will be the front surface of your countertop (the components correspond to the main recipe);
- pour the prepared solution into the mold;
- we lay a metal mesh (there is no need to lift it);
- we prepare a solution for the base layer, to which we add gravel or expanded clay instead of sand (it takes no more than two hours to prepare it, since the liquid stage of concrete does not last that long);
- pour it into the mold.
- we place blocks or corners in liquid concrete so that the tabletop can later be attached to the legs or walls of the table;
- tamp with a trowel and remove excess with a rule;
- cover the formwork with a sheet of laminated chipboard, having previously lubricated it with drying oil;
- We cover the entire structure on top with a polyethylene film;
- leave everything alone for 7-9 days;
- free from polyethylene;
- remove the formwork;
- leave the product for additional drying (5-7 days);
- if you need to trim the tabletop, we do it using a grinder;
- grind;
- polish;
- if the tabletop consists of individual elements, then after assembling them we seal the joints with special silicone or moisture-resistant grout.
If you still have any questions about the process of making a kitchen countertop from polished concrete, then the video will help you.
We create a form (formwork) for making a tabletop
In order for the hand-made tabletop to ultimately bring you satisfaction and not disappoint you with its quality characteristics, it is necessary to strictly observe all the dimensions indicated in the drawing when creating its shape. The work algorithm is as follows:
- cut out a sheet of moisture-resistant plywood (or laminated chipboard, fiberboard or MDF) with dimensions exceeding the dimensions of the future tabletop by 10-15 cm on each side;
- along the entire perimeter of the form we make sides 50-60 mm high (this thickness is optimal for the future tabletop), using long boards (50X30 or 60X30 mm), which we place on the edge and fasten with self-tapping screws; to strengthen the structure from the outside, we install two or three bars or metal corners in the corners and in the middle;
- as a result, we obtain a container whose dimensions clearly correspond to the dimensions of the tabletop;
- carefully seal all joints, seams, gaps and cracks in the mold using silicone sealant;
- if you want to give the finished product rounded shapes, we recommend using plastic or silicone inserts, which are installed in the corners of the mold and removed after the concrete solution has dried;
- if you plan to install a sink in the work surface, then you should provide free space for it (to do this, draw a rectangle at the bottom of the mold corresponding to the size of the sink; secure bars 50 x 50 or 50 x 60 mm; the drawing lines must remain on the outside of the bars) , and also make a hole for the mixer (for this you will need a piece of pipe with a diameter of 35 mm and a length of 50-60 mm).
Advice! For the countertop, it is better to choose a countertop sink, so as not to suffer in the future with the seating chamfer, which is available in built-in models (but do not forget to take into account the presence of a horizontal side of countertop sinks around the entire perimeter at the stage of preparing the drawing).
The creation of formwork must be approached carefully, without missing anything, since the concrete tabletop will completely repeat the shape into which the solution will be poured: all irregularities, bends and recesses will spoil appearance finished product.
Preparing the concrete mixture
It includes:
- 2 parts cement (M 500);
- 3 parts sand (sifted);
- plasticizers;
- water (to give the mixture a creamy appearance).
If the volume of the solution is not large, then it can be prepared in a small container (for example, in a bucket) and stirred using construction mixer using a special nozzle. If the dimensions of the finished product are large, then it makes sense to use a concrete mixer.
Important! The mixture must be stirred very thoroughly.
If you want to make a concrete countertop with your own hands a certain color, then pigments – dyes – must be added to the solution. But remember: to give the concrete a uniform color, pigments must be added to the dry mixture; and to obtain stains, like on marble, it is recommended to dissolve the dyes in water, and then mix them with the finished concrete mixture.
Advice! If you doubt that the mixture will not have the consistency required, it is better to go to the store and buy a ready-made one, the packaging of which will indicate all the proportions.
Grinding and polishing
To make a concrete countertop attractive and look like granite or marble, carefully sand it using a special machine using diamond discs. The process looks like this:
- Place the tabletop flat with the front side up;
- remove the main irregularities using a rough disc;
- We process the front surface of the product with special care;
- grind with a disc, abrasiveness – 50 units;
- We perform final grinding with a disc - 100 units;
- we carry out polishing (it is better to polish with discs - 400 units);
- on final stage use a felt circle.
In custody
Our step-by-step instruction outlined above will help you make a very beautiful work surface for kitchen. Make it yourself, and then use your experience to show others how to make a countertop.
