When choosing a mix, also think about any special effects you want to achieve. For example, Rhodes uses a mix that is thick enough to press into molds, so he can achieve his signature veined look.
The mix is also white, so it takes colors easily, with white aggregates that polish to a high shine. Rather hire a pro? Find concrete countertop contractors near me. Buying tips: Ask about the yield of the mix per package so you buy the right amount for your project. And be sure to get a copy of the technical datasheet to get information on mixing procedures, setting and curing times, compressive strength, and other pertinent details. Although prepackaged countertop mixes are easier to use and more foolproof than a mix made from scratch, some products are designed to be especially user friendly and are intended for use by do-it-yourselfers and pros alike.
Designed for cast-in-place countertops, it yields a mix that is easy to trowel smooth and results in a high strength fiber reinforced countertop. It can be used in conjunction with dyes, stains or integral colors as well as various decorative edge forms to get a one-of-a-kind look.
Counter-Flo , from Fritz-Pak, is a mixture of water reducers and mineral admixtures specially designed for use in the making of concrete countertops. You simply add 1 level scoop of Counter-Flo per each lb bag of concrete. Counter-Flo modifies normal concrete, making it easier to place, reducing the water, increasing its strength, and reducing shrinkage cracks to produce a smoother finish.
Pros: Clearly, convenience and ease of use are the most compelling reasons to use a bagged concrete countertop mix. All the necessary ingredients are preblended-all you do is mix in the specified amount of water and a pigment, if desired.
Some mixes may also require the addition of a polymer admixture, which is sold along with the dry ingredients. You don't have to worry about obtaining and batching all the ingredients separately and storing the raw materials. Consistency is another big plus of using a bagged mix.
Most of the variables have been removed from the equation, as long as you follow the manufacturer's mixing and placing instructions. That means you don't need to be knowledgeable about mix design or worry about troubleshooting a mix that's not cooperating. With a bagged mix, your concrete will be identical from job to job.
Cons: If having complete control over your countertop mix is important, you are probably better off starting from scratch, says Jeff Girard of the Concrete Countertop Institute. He notes that when making your own mix, you can tinker with accelerators, superplasticizers, pozzolans, pigments and decorative aggregates to tweak the performance and appearance, allowing you to strike the best balance between aesthetics, workability and physical performance. This degree of flexibility isn't possible with a preblended product.
Often you don't really know what's in the bag or the exact proportions, Girard adds, so you have to adhere to the manufacturer's instructions to get the best results. You may be limited in terms of decorative versatility as well. Although nearly all bagged mixes can be integrally colored, you might be required to use the manufacturer's pigments, which could limit your color palette.
Usually, you are also stuck with the aggregate blend used in the mix, limiting the possibility of using another type of aggregate. Some prepackaged mixes are formulated to produce countertops with exceptional performance features, such as high strengths of psi or greater, minimal cracking and shrinking, lighter weights, faster setting times, greater workability and the ability to be poured into thinner slabs.
These qualities can enhance the durability of your countertops, help prevent damage during shipping and installation, and improve productivity. Moon Decorative's enCounter mix blends white limestone rock, well-graded aggregates, cement, and performance-enhancing admixtures to minimize shrinkage and cracking, improve finishability, and achieve strengths topping psi after 28 days.
The easiest thing to do is purchase premixed bagged concrete that is specially formulated for countertops. I wound up using a high quality concrete from a company that specializes in concrete!
I used their all in one white concrete countertop mix which meant I only had to add water, mix and pour! The formula is super easy to work with and makes for a flowable batter that fills all the nooks and crannies of the forms with little vibrating needed. It just seems soooo much easier to buy a pre-mixed bag.
And then! Can you tell I just really think you should buy a pre-mixed bag made specifically for countertops? So there you have it. Short and sweet. You can probably find a concrete countertop mix at your local Lowes. You can definitely buy it from Concrete Countertop Solutions. Check out this post on the mistakes to avoid when DIYing concrete countertops. Curling is a symptom of shrinkage. This helps reduce the root cause of cracking and curling: the suction forces in the cement paste.
Proper curing also combats shrinkage. For free training on exactly how all of the ingredients of concrete work sand, cement, water, admixtures , click here. For more information about concrete countertop mix designs, click here.
To learn about GFRC, click here. Types of Concrete Countertop Mixes There are many different styles of concrete countertop mixes: all-sand mixes designed to be stiff and hand packed aggregate-based mixes designed for vibration or cast in place polymer-based mixes that flow like pancake batter GFRC mixes Stiff mix, all sand. Flowable mix, aggregate based. What you need from any concrete countertop mix: High early strength so you can process and finish faster High flexural strength for greater crack resistance Low shrinkage potential which minimizes curling.
Our Precast Mix Calculator contains two mix designs that meet all of these criteria. Get it here.
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