DIY Concrete Countertops

Q: How can I learn to build concrete countertops? Some people say they’re too heavy and regular cabinets can’t hold the weight. What do you think? I’d like to build tops for existing cabinets I have as well as new ones. How do you get that silky-smooth finish I’ve seen on the best concrete countertops?

A: Yes, concrete countertops are technically possible and have the potential to be stunningly attractive. As far as weight goes, you should beef up existing cabinets by adding a 1/2-inch thick plywood back panel behind the cabinet, secured with glue and screws. Adding an additional 3/4-inch thick plywood top helps spread the weight of a concrete countertop evenly around the cabinet structure. When it comes to finishing, you’ll need to do some grinding and polishing if you want a deep, luxurious finish. That said, the process isn’t as troublesome as you might imagine. Concrete countertops are often built off-site, where dust, noise and grinding slurry aren’t a problem. Then they’re moved onto existing wooden cabinets or new ones. In fact, finishing is a key part of the process that vaults a concrete countertop past the status of a sidewalk in your kitchen. The state of the concrete countertop trade has progressed to the point where the approach offers astonishing examples of creativity. Part of this comes from the excellent power tools available for finishing, including hand-held grinders that spray water over the surface as you work, and highly effective abrasive rubbing pads. It sounds like you want to take this craft seriously, and for that you need much more information than I can give here. The best resource for the subject is a book from the Taunton Press. It’s called Concrete Countertops and is written by one of the leading practitioners of the concrete countertop craft, Fu-Tung Cheng. He’s been perfecting his techniques over the last 20 years and reveals all his secretes in this book.