DIY CONCRETE COUNTERTOPS | OUTDOOR KITCHEN UPDATE | MODERN BUILDS

How I installed Pour In Place Concrete Countertops on the DIY outdoor kitchen on my parent's back porch form Modern Builds EP 21 in 2016!

This was a much needed update. Unfortunately, the original skim coated concrete countertops I installed only lasted about 2 years before the swelling/shrinking of the door substrate caused cracking and failure. We painted the countertops as a stop-gap but these new concrete counters are great! They aren't perfect but I learned a lot for when I do concrete counters at my place soon! Hope you learned a bit and enjoyed the video! -Mike

Videos I learned From:

Materials and Supplies:

How to install concrete counters DIY
how to make concrete countertops DIY
pour in place cement countertops DIY

Thanks for watching!!
___________________________________________________________________
ADD ME ON:
___________________________________________________________________
Thanks for watching!
-Mike Montgomery
MODERN BUILDS

Hi, My name is Mike Montgomery and I'm a MAKER; a designer, builder, and full-time content creator. Accessibility is my focus with Modern Builds, not simply accessibility of designs, but accessibility in materials, information, and projects themselves. I've focused on creating furniture and DIY projects that are simple enough that any beginner maker can accomplish, yet interesting enough that any expert might be inspired. Building and making is becoming less and less of an exclusive hobby and profession. My goal is to reduce that separation even further.

[jaxn]

My dad and I built a concrete bar countertop and we were going to put it on our lake dock. We had like five people carry another crossed and the countertop was like 300 pounds it bent the bridge and snapped it and we all fell in the lake with the countertop. We were able to attach a rope to the concrete countertop and slide it up the bridge that was broken. Now we have a new $5000 bridge and A concrete bar countertop that has a good story

[georgefrank]

Quick tip from a concreter, to eliminate air bubble go around the edges and thoroughly lightly tap the form work with a hammer or piece of timber. Alternatively if there is still air bubble once deboxed, you can fill these with parge. Great job for a first go though 👍

[HugoPOISSANT]

8:50 I saw a trick to avoid bubbles on the edges : on the melamine edges used a orbital sander with a polish pad. This will make vibrations in the wet concrete and help to remove the air bubbles.

[Fotozones]

You have to vibrate cast concrete much more to get rid of the bubbles and make sure it all settles properly into your mould. That's why you have so many voids.

[JSAsher]

There is an added ingredient called flow control you can put in quikrete that really seems to help in pouring countertops. It a small bag of powder. It helps to mix in smaller batches but, takes about a 3 person team to get it right. We did a very large area and had maybe 1 or 2 air bubbles all said and done. One person mixing and pouring, one screeding, and one person vibrating the bottoms and edges. Good luck on the indoor!

[TrentKilberg]

Some tips for others attempting this.

That rebar is likely too thick for this project, some 4 inch mesh would be a better option.

Invert and cast method is better for the outside the plywood will struggle to breathe.

You can add a little extra concrete powder to the mix to increase tensile strength for the overhangs.

Knock the edges of the form with something to help settle the concrete and get the voids out.

Cover the concrete with a tarp and even water it a little to slow the curing time. This will improve strength.

[johnathandietz]

I have also seen other people fill the voids with a slurry mixture, but I think with the sealer, its too late for that

[raynoladominguez]

Nice build, or rather renovation. You and your dad make a good team.

[abdulhamidalfani]

when you wake up you can be anything, but this guy chooses to be an inspiration <3

[natebolton]

this turned up at just the right time. Looking into building something at my house like this. Who knows when I'll get to it though.

[TheLexusgs]

The original vid was one of my personal favorites...digging the new version as well!

[novocaine]

I remember when you built these. It's still on my to do like the outdoor kitchen idea

[Rowblob]

Looks great! I've done a few of these outdoor concrete countertops. A few tips: tap your forms with a rubber mallet as you go to fill in those air gaps, also a concrete edging tool (rounding tool) leaves a less violent edge for the final product.

Whenever you can, always have a continuation of your rebar/mesh between sections of continuous concrete.

Either way, looks really good man keep up the great work! 👍

[TheCraftyBrick]

This is SOOOO helpful. You make me feel like I can really do this to my outdoor counter. Thanks!

[keith_hudson]

Turned out nice. Finishing trowel is for finishing. You really need a magnesium trowel.

[izychick]

before pouring the concrete mixture, you can brush or spray a thin layer first to avoid missing parts on the outside

[bigbankhank]

Pro tip…tap the edges to get rid of the pockets of air and that will help fill those voids. Then once you strip forms take the cement mix you used and mix a slurry in a cup and use a 1” paint brush to cover up any holes etc. looks great though cheers dude

[MultiKlompen]

Its beautiful !!
And not too big, not too small.
Great!!

[dakotacarrington]

I feel like this is bringing it back to OG MB. I like this.

[c.a.g.]

11:00 Best stamp of approval to receive!