Pave your dream kitchen with versatile concrete countertops

04/04/09

Concrete countertops are becoming more popular, and understandably so. The ingredients are relatively inexpensive, the installation is relatively easy with a step-by-step guide, and the project is green.Designer Fu-Tung Cheng, the guru of concrete use in kitchens, baths and other residential spaces, continues his mission in his new book, “Concrete Countertops Made Simple” (Taunton Press, $21.95), which comes with a how-to DVD and illustrations for adding style and flair to your DIY project.Ah, but can you really do it yourself? I have, so here’s a rundown on the process that reflects both the book’s advice and my experience. For a 4-foot-by-22-inch countertop that is 1½ to 2 inches deep, you’ll need to spend about $25, and you can reuse the form you’ll have to build.Need to know: There are two ways to make a countertop. One is to build the form and then pour the concrete in place where you want it. The other is to pour concrete into the form upside down and then turn it over, which gives you a more rustic-looking counter. Pouring in place is easier for a do-it-yourselfer.Material world: You’ll need two 80-pound bags of dry concrete (you can use nonshrink grout), a drill with a concrete-mixing attachment (about $4), concrete cleaner, a steel trowel, a wood float, two plastic buckets (5-gallon and 1-gallon) for mixing and to hold water, caulk and a caulk gun, deck screws, cooking oil, a 2-inch paintbrush, a rubber mallet, a length of 2-by-4 for a screed, and sandpaper. Also required at the end: coloring agent and something to help cure and seal the finished countertop.