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Concrete Kitchen Countertops
Concrete Kitchen Countertops offer Beauty and
Customized Countertop Designs
By: Mark J. Donovan
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I recently had the opportunity to see
how concrete kitchen countertops were made. To put it simply, I was amazed with
the construction process as well as with the product. I went from having a
suspect view of concrete kitchen countertops to becoming a true admirer.
First of all concrete kitchen countertops can be manufactured in almost any type
of color. Second, aggregates of any sort can be imbedded into the concrete to
yield an infinite number of finished surface looks. |
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Third, through a complex process
of molds, forms, and jigs virtually any shape and type of concrete kitchen
countertop can be fabricated, including ones that include integrated
concrete sinks.
The manufacturing of a concrete kitchen countertop begins with the
construction of a cardboard template that is created on the job site. The
cardboard template is used to construct the custom form, mold and jigs to
hold the concrete while it cures.
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The actual mixing of the concrete for kitchen countertops is much more complex
than simply using sand and Portland cement, though these products are used.
There are special dies, sealants, gravel and other lightweight aggregate
materials that are used to create, relatively speaking, lightweight concrete.
The concrete mixture is thoroughly mixed prior to being placed into the mold
that forms the dimensional specifications of the concrete kitchen countertop.
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The concrete mixture is poured into
the mold over a melamine sheet that is removed later. The melamine sheet helps
to ensure an ultra smooth finish.
Metal lathe and rebar, if you will, are also inserted into the concrete kitchen
countertop form to add strength to the finished product. With the concrete and
rebar placed into the concrete kitchen countertop form, the entire form is
troweled and vibrated to ensure a highly smoothed finished on the countertop
surfaces.
After the concrete has been poured and initially cured the forms are removed.
The concrete kitchen countertop is then allowed to fully cure prior to
installing it on the job site.
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