Cement Countertops – Why Would You Want a Sidewalk for a Countertop?
If you have never heard of a cement countertop you are probably wondering why you would what to put a sidewalk on your kitchen counter. Well the truth is cement countertops can look as good as or better than granite if they are done properly. The best part is you can completely customize the countertop to meet your exact specifications. You can choose any color, shape, or thickness you want. You can even add a built in sink and drying rack. Items embedded in the countertop can also be exposed during the finishing process adding character to the counter.
The process involved in making a cement countertop starts with the template. Thin strips of wood or any light material is used to make a mock up of the final countertop shape. Then a mold is made around the template the desired thickness of the finished product. Re-bar is added inside the mold and then cement can be mixed up in the mixer with all the necessary ingredients included color pigment. The concrete is then poured into the molds and vibrated to help remove any air bubbles. The countertop is removed from the mold after approximately three days and then the finishing process can begin. Since the countertop was poured upside down it is first flipped over so the top is now facing up. This way the exposed surface of the counter is already completely smooth and the rougher troweled surface becomes the underside of the counter. The top is then polished using a variable speed wet polisher and diamond coated pads of various grits until the desired amount of aggregate is exposed and a mirror finish is produced.
Once the polishing is done the cement countertop is left to fully cure which can take a few weeks depending on the temperature and then it can be sealed and installed in the kitchen. The finished product looks absolutely amazing if done by skilled craftsmen and is a great option for a countertop instead of granite.…