If your outdoor living space needs a countertop, look no farther than concrete mix to make one that’s stylish and will stand the test of time.
Benefits of an Outdoor Countertop
Your home’s living space doesn’t end at your back door — it extends to the backyard. That’s why it’s a good idea to enhance your backyard life with amenities that make it more comfortable and functional.
Whether you want to improve the space for entertaining or increase your home’s value for resale, it helps to have the basics — a fire pit and chairs — and some extras like a countertop.
Building one couldn’t be easier — just stack some paver blocks and add a top. Concrete is durable and easy to clean, which makes it ideal for a countertop, especially one that will weather the elements.
Best of all, well-maintained concrete countertops age in style. That’s because concrete develops a patina — a natural, glossy film — that gives it more character and boosts its value.
So, whether you need a prep station for grilling or an outdoor table for eating, you can’t go wrong with concrete.
Steps to Make the Countertop
1. Shape the forms.
First, you need a form in which to pour the concrete mix. Melamine’s smooth surface makes it perfect for the base — this will help ensure the concrete looks smooth after production.
Screw strips of vinyl molding to the melamine for the edges, and seal the seams with caulk. Also, coat the entire form with lubricant so the concrete easily releases.
2. Add color. Stir Quikrete Liquid Cement Color into a 5-gallon bucket of water before mixing in some Quikrete Countertop Mix, as directed on the bag.
3. Mix the concrete. Mix the liquid cement color, water and countertop mix with a drill that has a mixing paddle attachment. It’s an affordable alternative to renting or buying a portable concrete mixer. And it’s faster and more convenient than mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow with a hoe.
4. Add reinforcement. Steel reinforcement bars help to prevent breaks and cracks in the concrete. Place them in the melamine form before filling it with concrete mix.
5. Pour the concrete. Pour in the concrete mix and lift up the steel reinforcement bars from the bottom of the form.
6. Smooth the concrete. We want this countertop to look its best, so before it dries, grab a float or trowel and smooth off the surface.
7. Tap the form. While the concrete is still wet, tap around the form with a rubber mallet to release air bubbles. This will help ensure the countertop is smooth and free of blemishes.
Let this dry for a few days, sand as needed, and then you’ll have a ready-to-install concrete countertop!
Watch the video above to find out more.
