Ask The Trades - Print Page

Ask The Trades
https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Carpentry Questions >> CONCRETE WORKTOPS https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1086023722 Message started by Dusty on May 31^st, 2004, 6:15pm

Title: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by Dusty on May 31^st, 2004, 6:15pm

:) :) :) :) :) :) :) :)
I live between Edinburgh and Glasgow and I'm building a new kitchen.
Does anyone know where (in this part of the world) I can buy these polished concrete worktops that seem to be increasingly popular.

Thanks
Dusty. :) :) :)

Title: Re: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by jasonB on Jun 1^st, 2004, 7:32am

I may be wrong but I think they are cast in-situ and polished as they cure, thus avoiding any joints. The ones that I have seen are usually thicker than the standard 40mm tops so you may have to set your carcases lower if the top is to align with any cookers or have a higher worktop if there are appliances to go underneath. Also add more legs to support the extra weight.

Jason

Title: Re: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by Dewy on Jun 1^st, 2004, 4:39pm

As I understand it, they are cast in situ, as Andrew said, then polished with a diamond polisher.
They also round the edges the same way using a router with appropriate bit for concrete/stone.
They use a different mix to usual so you don't get a powdery surface.
It's an expensive process but look great once finished.

Title: Re: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by woodsmith on Jun 1^st, 2004, 6:15pm

I have heard concrete worktops mark easily, try and get some sort of guarantee of stain resistance.

Title: Re: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by jasonB on Jun 2^nd, 2004, 7:34am

Dewy

I have seen them "polished" with a trowel in much the same way you would work the finish coat of plaster. They don't use coarse agregate, the mix is more like screed and the surface is worked as it sets.

I'm sure the machine method is also posible but that would end up with a worktop like teratzo (sp?)

There is a book available on the subject "Concrete Countertops" do a search on Amazon.

Jason

Title: Re: CONCRETE WORKTOPS
Post by Dewy on Jun 3^rd, 2004, 2:39am

The ones I had seen (on TV only) used a resin/hardener to stop the powdering & had different colours in the cement with any aggregate from granite chippings to marble. Black with marble was used but others were green or blue with the appropriate aggregate.
They looked great when finished. ;)