Concrete Vanity tops

Credit: Pinterest

 

Are you a home enthusiast and looking for a DIY method to pour a concrete vanity top? Well, don’t worry, as we’ve got you covered. We understand how essential it is to keep a home’s aesthetics up to date by upgrading it from time to time. 

 

However, hiring experts to renovate your bathroom or kitchen may be quite pricey. But it doesn’t mean you can’t accomplish it on a small budget. Our step-by-step guide on DIY Concrete vanity top will help you do it efficiently and cost-effectively. 

 

So, if you want to learn how to pour a concrete vanity top, stick with us until the end of this article. 

Necessary Materials and Tools to Setup Beforehand

Here’s a list of some crucial materials you need to set up beforehand to make the process straightforward. 

 

  • Sandpaper
  • Sawhorses
  • Table saw, 2 screws, and Drill 
  • Concrete stamp, Bolt cutters, and Concrete mixer
  • Chemical resistant protective gloves
  • Orbital sander
  • Beeswax
  • 2-inch putty knife
  • Liquid release agent
  • Galvanized structural stucco wire
  • Muriatic acid
  • 1 melamine-coated MDF boards
  • Ready-mix concrete
  • Release agent
  • Masonry sealer
  • Silicone caulk

Things You Need to Know Before Pouring a Concrete Vanity Top 

  • Firstly, check what equipment and tools are required.
  • Inspect the formwork extensively to ensure that it is in the proper location and correct the slope and alignment.
  • Check reinforcing steel to ensure it meets the required cover and is properly connected and secured.
  • Use 3/4-inch melamine-coated particle board to create your countertop forms.
  • While mixing the concrete, put on heavy rubber gloves and use a dust mask and eye protection.
  • Abrasive cleaners shouldn’t be used on the countertop since they may damage the sealer coat.

Step-by-Step Guide to Pour a Concrete Vanity

Building your concrete countertop is one of the challenging DIY projects. But don’t worry, as we’ve listed all of the steps to pouring a concrete vanity so you can complete this task easily.  

  • Take Measurements 

Quantify the depth and width of the washbasin cupboard from the upper edge using a measuring tape. If you think of installing a new sink, a sheet of paperboard cut-out will assist you in marking out the sink’s measurements.

 

Image Credit 

  • Create the Vanity Template

Countertop frameworks are composed of thin wooden bars or paperboard. This allows the countertop to correspond to any different variants in the wall or cupboard. Layout strips of paperboard or 1/8-inch thick wooden project board on the ground cupboard and paste them together with the glue gun to generate a framework for the vanity top’s perimeter.

 

  • Draw the Vanity Top Shape 

Make a countertop shape out of 3/4-inch melamine-coated plasterboard. The water-resistant melamine edges must be facing within the form, so when it’s time to detach the forms, they come off quickly and end up leaving a smooth surface. In addition, the external bolts are used to secure the form’s sides to the bottom.

 

  • Apply Silicon Layer

Apply a thin layer of silicone caulk to the inside joints once you’ve constructed your shapes. Soft it into the joint with your thumb to enclose it and prevent any concrete from leaking out. This will also aid in the formation of smooth texture on the countertop. Remove all the form’s interior as soon as the caulk has fully dried. This will help you get a smooth shape.

 

  • Combine the Concrete and Liquid 

 

 

You’ll need almost six pints of water for each 80-pound pouch of Countertop Mix. Mix in a rotating concrete mixing board or a five-gallon pail using a heavily loaded drill equipped with a concrete propeller bit. A thorough blending is required for favorable performance, so stir for at least five minutes.

 

  • Pour Concrete

Pour enough concrete into the shape to fill it midway. Spread the wet concrete evenly with a manual trowel, ensuring it occupies the edges and each side. 

 

  • Incorporate Reinforcement

You can skip the reinforcement on small slabs, but larger slabs should have a layer of 3/8-inch #3 steel rebar or other reinforcing material installed after the first half of the concrete has been poured. 

  • Pour the Remaining Concrete into the Form 

Once the form is full, smooth the top by pulling a board (long enough to stretch across the form) from one end to the other and sliding it back and forth – this is known as “screeding”. Make a couple of passes in each direction.

 

  • Squeeze the Shape 

Compress the shape with a wrench or hammers to get the silky-smooth corners. Expand and contract the concrete by pressing gently and repeatedly along the outside of the shape to work out any tiny bubbles that could otherwise tarnish the texture.

 

  •  Use a Plastic Coat to Protect the Form

The plastic coating should be used to protect the completed form. Allow it to rest for 18 hours, untouched, until the concrete has hardened enough to eliminate the forms.

 

  •  Remove the Screws

Forms should be stripped. Remove the screws that grab the shapes together and pull the boards apart cautiously. They should be easy to remove because you used a melamine-coated fiberboard.

 

  •  Use Sandpaper

Now, the hardcore concrete should be smoothed. Using sandpaper foam, smooth out any rough patches along with the corners. Unsanded marble material can also fill in the gap, which can be streamlined with sandpaper. 

 

  •  Seal Your Countertop

Concrete Countertops

Credit: Kennedy Kitchens and Baths

 

Your countertop should be sealed. To safeguard it and add a leathery texture, use

K.O.R. Natural “Enrich & Seal”

. However, wait at least a full 28-day curing time before sealing for the best results. 

Conclusion 

To summarize, concrete countertops are simply one of the numerous possibilities for kitchen or bathroom DIY projects. Hopefully, our article has helped you with an actionable step-by-step guide to making your DIY Concrete Vanity top at home quickly and easily while also saving money. 

 

If you still have questions, do contact us or allow us to assist you in completing this project, with ease.

 

Related articles:

Replacing Your Bathroom Vanity Top with Granite

How to Install a Bathroom Vanity Top

How to Build a Custom Bathroom Vanity- Kyle Allen Interiors

Bathroom Remodeling Process with Architectural Plans

Guide to Buying Custom Bathroom Vanity

Replacement cost of bathroom vanity – Custom vs Prefab

Author:

Jeff Kennedy

Editor in Chief

of Vade Mecum of Luxury Journal, multiple site contributor, writer, renovation professional He has been an active participant in the construction industry for 32 years, doing everything from design to finish work.
He shares his unique perspective on renovation and construction through writing about professional experiences. Jeff’s motto is that “enjoying what you do is the best feeling.” If you enjoy your job with friends, then you will never have to go to work!

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