poor man's granite

I wanted stone countertops for our new kitchen, but didn't want to pay stone prices. So I made my own by pouring concrete and polishing it.

Music: New Pornographers: "Chump Change"

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• concrete countertops
• kitchen renovation
• smaltini
• new pornographers
• polishing
• trowel

[humbleservanttoJC]

Question, I used 1/4" rebar in a countertop and it made control joints in a grid pattern, did yours do the same?

[crsmal]

@humbleservanttoJC no, these things were so small and would live in a climate controlled environment- that i really wasn't worried about control joints. The only steps I took to control cracking were to use a fairly dry mix and mist the tops with water several times a day for the first few days of the cure.

[disclosurenow9]

The concrete seems really dry. Did it work out ok?

[crsmal]

@disclosurenow9 Yeah, you don't want it too soupy or it'll take forever to trowel the tops smooth enough. As dry as it looked, once I started troweling a lot of water rose to the surface.

[crsmal]

@MrSmid888 it's not about hassle dude, it's about making something with your hands and looking at it everyday and knowing you made it.

music and quality? really? check out imovie sometime- you'd be surprised what you can do with your cellphone videos

[turbotonic27]

poor man's camera

[Smileyyogini]

That is just about the coolest thing ever. My husband will be mad you showed me this. heheh

[MrTim1890]

Granite looks much better..... Anyone would rather have granite then a cement counter.

[Axenmoon]

People always have to hate when they dont think of it or don't do it themselves, Awesome work if only more Americans where like this, we could turn our country around.

[jhaven007]

congrats on the hard work, I also love the sense of accomplishment of creating your own. The only thing I'd suggest is using a higher quality recording so next time people get a true represention. Keep working!

[saltnlightful]

I am really impressed with your project. How's it wearing? Is it easy to clean? What did you use to polish it with? We just finished pouring concete cement pads at the back of the house and still have the concrete mixer. Since my countertop needs replacing - your idea is giving me ideas. My concrete patio always releases a dust. Did the sealer stop that from happening with your countertop?

[MrSmyusername]

I love how Even though the title sum's it up, the info bar shows 360p and the music is detailed in the description people come to complain about all of the above. Great job and finished product looks nice! If you'll excuse me im going to search for a black and white movie soundtrack so i can complain it's black and white and how the soundtrack is horrible!

[ctsincebay]

@MrSmid888 seriously you're a little bitch

[jackffarrell]

For all the work involved, buying finished granite looks like a much better deal, and certainly a much better product.