In the age of constant marketing by home improvement chains, the empowerment of homeowners as “weekend contractors” has certainly grown. Many homeowners today are extremely handy, and some may even be more capable around the house than they realize. However, there’s usually a line where a DIY project turns into “Are you kidding me?” project. A recent internet search turned up a “how to” offer for building and installing concrete countertops. This project falls on the other side of the “are you kidding me?” DIY range.
Step 1: Make the Templates and Forms for Concrete Countertops
The fact that? Are you telling me that I have to build something BEFORE building what I’m trying to do? The DIY method described here involves gluing together thin strips of wood veneer to create a replica around the entire perimeter of the countertop area. I hope you were good at modeling as a kid!
Oh wait, looks like they forgot to mention one step: removing the current countertops. Let’s say, hypothetically, that you and your marriage remain intact after removing the countertops currently in your kitchen. Now that you’ve got the old countertops out, what about disposing of them? No bribe in the world will get your dumpster to take that away. By the way, if you started at 7 am, it’s probably already 4:30 pm if you didn’t stop for lunch.
Step 2 – Cut the Steel Mesh, Mix and Pour the Concrete
So it’s been three weekends and you’ve finally completed the templates and built the molds. She hasn’t had any kitchen counter this whole time, but hey, who doesn’t like to order, right? Hopefully, when you bought all the plywood, veneer strips, putty, tape, and other materials needed just to build the templates and form, you remembered to pick up the 50-pound bags of concrete and steel mesh; if not, now would be the time to head back to the store, for the third time today.
Step 3 – For Concrete, Lay the Mesh
Back from the store? Excellent. Now is the time to mix the concrete and pour it into the mold. Oops, I almost forgot to mention that the giant mold you’ve built has been occupying the garage this entire time, which means her wife has had to park her car out in the driveway, best of luck with that. So you mix the concrete in the bucket you bought, you bought buckets right? If you forgot to buy cubes, which would require a fourth trip to the store today, skip to step 4.
Step 4 – Call a Professional Countertop Contractor
At this point, your wife is staying at her sister’s, and not even the dog will meet your eyes. He uses the best judgment you have deep down and calls someone who does this for a living. The cost of a new professionally installed concrete countertop will be much less than what a divorce lawyer will charge you if you continue like this. You can still brag about the “deck” you built last summer, assuming you can convince your wife to come home.