iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 To oppose the simple DIY thread... I'm considering DIYing some concrete counter-tops next week. Has anyone tried it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I've seen it done on HGTV. That seems like a lot of work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Did you see the "in place" method or the off site method? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 It's been a while, but I am pretty sure it was the "in place" method. With all of the reinforcement, framing, smoothing, sealing, etc that needs to be done, it just seemed like more work that it's worth. It did turn out nice though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sully Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 http://www.hgtv.com/kitchens/express-yourself-with-concrete-countertops/index.html Because of the time and craftsmanship required to build a concrete countertop, the price tag can be high — from about $65 to $125 per square foot, depending on the degree of handiwork involved, according to Concrete in the Kitchen, published by The Concrete Network. "Concrete countertops — like any other custom handmade product — command premium prices," says Jeff. "They are very labor-intensive to produce, and the quality is entirely dependent on the skill and craftsmanship of the maker." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 The current trend is to make a form off site and pour the top upside down. This creates a perfectly smooth surface from the start and reduces sanding/grinding time significantly. The biggest challenge is finding 4 friends to help you lift it into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I saw them do it on This Old House. They had a vibrator table to get all the air bubbles out and it took about 15 guys to put it into place. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I saw them do it on This Old House. They had a vibrator table to get all the air bubbles out and it took about 15 guys to put it into place. you said vibrator table. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LJ Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 you said vibrator table. lol. It was odd, it was almost exactly like the one you and your boyfriends use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I saw them do it on This Old House. They had a vibrator table to get all the air bubbles out and it took about 15 guys to put it into place. My counter space isn't that big. The alternative to a vibrator table is attaching hand sanders on the corners of your form table and letting them run for a few hours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 meh...i'd rather do some sweet looking granite Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bruh Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 meh...i'd rather do some sweet looking granite +1 thats what i went with Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AWW$HEEET Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 It was odd, it was almost exactly like the one you and your boyfriends use. rofl. NOT. Kindly eat a Norm Abram dick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HotCarl Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 meh...i'd rather do some sweet looking granite Im sure granite is alot more expensive than DIY concrete. Some of those customer pics look really nice and some honestly look like they belong in a driveway. There is a way to dye the conrete right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Bruh Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Im sure granite is alot more expensive than DIY concrete. Some of those customer pics look really nice and some honestly look like they belong in a driveway. There is a way to dye the conrete right? no really depending on what granite you buy its from $50-95 sq/ft. and concrete can be dyed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 meh...i'd rather do some sweet looking granite Granite is falling out of fashion... fast. If you follow coastal trends, it was out of fashion 3 years ago. Man-made solid surfaces (other than Courian) are in. See Silestone, CaesarStone, Zodiac. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I get granite at cost, it wouldn't be much more expensive than my DIY project. I don't want what everyone else has. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I get granite at cost, it wouldn't be much more expensive than my DIY project. I don't want what everyone else has. so...wanna hook a brotha up here when i re-do my kitchen?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Sure, I use Distinctive Surfaces, Marble and Granite Works, and Chester Smith. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
evan9381 Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 sweet...ill be looking into that stuff soon. im hoping to get my car accident stuff wrapped up in the near future, and have been wanting to redo the kitchen once thats done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Cranium Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I helped a buddy do a tile counter top. Used 12 x 12 black marble floor tiles and a beige bullnose tile for the edge. Beige grout and it looked really good when we were done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iwishiwascool Posted November 13, 2009 Author Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 I helped a buddy do a tile counter top. Used 12 x 12 black marble floor tiles and a beige bullnose tile for the edge. Beige grout and it looked really good when we were done. The problem with tile is the grout and fact that it is an uneven surface. The grout collects mold and mildew. 24x24 acrylic tiles are always an option as they are modern. I wouldn't mess with 12x12 personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TTQ B4U Posted November 13, 2009 Report Share Posted November 13, 2009 Just make sure you use a very good sealer. They stain easily. Next time you go into Cosi, just check out their counters where the beverages are. typically stained to hell. When I worked in design it was a trend in restaurants, and is still used, but not as much now. Oils, soda's and wine stain them easily. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nitrousbird Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 Granite is falling out of fashion... fast. If you follow coastal trends, it was out of fashion 3 years ago. Man-made solid surfaces (other than Courian) are in. See Silestone, CaesarStone, Zodiac. Since I wasn't familiar with all of those other surfaces you mentioned, I did a little googling and discovered they are all engineered quartz. I 100% agree courian is out. We have it in out house (kitchen and master bath), and it sucks. Scratches like mad, the only way to make it shiny is to use a corian cleaner that makes it greasy, and looks like crap when you wipe it down with a wet rag. All for a similar price to Granite and Quartz. Now for the Granite vs. Quartz; IMO either would be a good choice, and are fairly similar in look / function. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted November 14, 2009 Report Share Posted November 14, 2009 I have always like concert countertops but do not have the never to do it myself. when it come time to replace ours I want to use butcher block. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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