|
Posted by 3rd Generation on February 18, 2007, 7:20 am
buy a "FireSlate" top
http://www.fireslate.com/pages/counter.cfm
or maybe get some helpful tips from them
| After much research I have decided I would like to build my own
concrete
| countertops. I like the whole modern look so I am going for a simple
1.5
| inch cement gray counter. Rather than
| casting and trowleing them in place I plan on casting 2 x 4 pieces
upside
| down in a melamine mold and then piecing them together on my cabinets.
My
| understanding is that makes for much easier process and smoother
| top since the bottom of the melamine is nice and smooth to begin with.
The
| few grout lines I have are not a big deal. After doing a lot of
research on
| the web I still have a few questions I need some help on:
|
| 1) Quikrete has a product called Non Shrink Precision Grout. Their
website
| recommends this for counters since it will dry
| to 3000PSI in 2 days and 8000PSI in 28 days. A few questions:
| 1) They recommend to blend this to a syrupy consistency - this
makes
| it easy to pour and reduces makes a smoother finish - any experience
with
| this?
| 2) They say to use this without rebar or reinforcement except
for
| around the sink, is that correct?
| 3) I have seen a few negative comments on this particular
product.
| Any experience out there in using this product for counters?
|
| 2) If I use the grout mentioned above (or other concrete mix) and want
to
| use reinforcement, can I use simple chicken wire I can buy at Lowes
for
| this? Or do
| I have to use the real rebar stuff?
|
| 3) I want to use the non shrink grout because it sounds like it makes
a
| smooth finish, especially since I am casting them upside down in a
mold. If
| I do need to sand
| can I just use regular sandpaper and an orbital sander while the
concrete is
| still 24 -30 hours fresh? I am not looking for a glass finish, just
smooth
| enough
|
| 4) Any recommendations for a sealer.
|
|
| thanks
| John
|
|
| 
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