Fast DIY Concrete Countertops 

First video I’ve seen that didn’t use commercially made forms. Great job

So much space, and I love the way it turned out!!

One step I would add to the process: Use a thinset and cement board fiber mesh tape on all joints found in the hardibacker board. This will make those areas far less prone to cracks in the future.

You made this look so fun but I know it was killer work. Great job! It’s beautiful!

Really nice work. Your woodworking skills are impressive.

This is the first time I have seen a Rapidset countertop being poured in place. Good results.

I've watched like 8 videos on diy concrete countertops and this is easily the best one. nice job!

9:15 - DUDE SAYS THE DETAILS that needs to be NOTED by each and all who are going to implement this type of RAPID SET CONCRETE PROJECT. 9:25 - DUDE's info about the type of RAPID SET and sand-type is KEY.

That countertop looks really great! That's a pretty impressive turn around time as well.

I am looking at doing this to replace what would otherwise be a slate slab for my homemade pool table... need to make sure that it is perfectly smooth, perfectly level and almost pollished in the end, and this looks like the go. Well made vid, everything explained nicely, very enjoyable. Thanks 👍

Well done!! Looks 👌

It looks nice. Great video.

I really love all of your countertops. I think I might have swapped the cement and the butcher block to have the cement around the sink instead, but only because I used butcher block around a sink and know how it was hard to keep nice over time. Looks great!

Thank you so much for this video. Its the best i could find

Good work my lady...

That turned out amazing. Great job. Cement is by far hugely less than granite.

Great video, good project and even great interview. THANK YOUUU

Great Job! Thank You.

Great Video Thanks.

Great video and love the way it turned out. Perfect color too. I don’t remember you mentioning using any coloring or pigments?

Nice work! If you really want to cut through the cream layer use diamond pads on an orbital sander. Depending on what grit you use you can either just smooth the surface or reveal the sand for a speckled look.

Top woman,explains everything.real girl that

i really like the color. so beautiful. does it come like that already with the rapid set cement?

Beautiful!!! 🌸🌺🌸

Beautiful

Thank you!) Tell me which camera did you use? Very good picture quality.

Thank you for the video. I'm making a 5'x3'x1/2" for a skid bar I made 3 years ago. Need to do this. It's been too long. I'll post a picture. One question : What would you use for a color in the cement?

16:59 Girl! You have a great technique.

How is your countertop holding up now-3 years out? I'm looking to skim coat my existing laminate countertops. Would this white concrete work for that?

Hello, do you think this cement product would work for a skim layer over existing laminate?

Very nice!!! I’ve watched many molds here on RU-vid. Will going without the wire mesh or chicken wire affects it’s durability?

Wonder is you could add color to it! Looks beautiful!!

I love this And we’ve been talking about doing concrete tops but I didn’t want all the dust from sanding so the way y’all did it really made me think this is the way to go But I want to have black tops so can you add a color to the mix? Looks fantastic awesome job thank you for sharing

I just poured the cementall countertop and have attempted to seal it 3 times with the Stone Care Granite and stone sealer. Water still leaves dark spots and repels slightly in others. Any thoughts or suggestions? It’s taking most of the bottle. Do you think I can cover it with another sealer like a Behr product?

Do you think you could do this with using the current countertop in place of the hardy board?

Nice work! Looks great!!! In the video you stated you changed the amount of water per 55lb bag....was the final amount per bag 5 quarts? What do you recommend for sealing? Thanks

Great job! Does it come in white or can you add titanium dioxide or something to whiten it?

What sealer did you use? Is it food safe?

Hi. What screws did you used for the melamine boards? Btw, well done!!

Beautiful video and countertop and very informative-Thank you! Based on your experience, what are your thoughts on a thinner top? I am considering resurfacing a Corian bathroom vanity with a thin (1/8-1/4" max. thickness) Rapid Set Cement All overlay. Rather than skim-coating by hand, I could make molds similar to yours but smaller, to give a much thinner cement overlay. Perhaps I could position the bottom molds to give a more substantial height of the front edge of the vanity top. Would you think this would work? Thank you.

Just saw the video and looks great, but you didn't use anything like mesh or wire to void the cracks for that size of the counter. Wondering that.

What sealant did you use you didnt mention

Hey, do you have any updates on how this has held up over the last few years?

Looks like the surface of the moon!

This is a beautifully documented step by step information package. I have seen a few professionally finished concrete countertops and they truly compete with polished granite both in looks and feel. But I know those Pro projects require pro skills and equipment and top secrete finishing materials and supplies. How far could we push a DIY project towards the " Pro " territories? I went through the FAQ on your web pages but didn't find one important question and answer for it: " How smooth the final surface is and if there is a real point of diminishing returns for attempting to create REALLY SMOOTH surface out of a concrete slab " with DIY equipment, elbow grease and off the shelf sand-papers ?

Would you recommend using the cement board even if you’re not doing an in-place install? Any benefits to the form like insulation, support, etc?

I'm wondering can you use any rapid set for this project..in Ireland its called Post 10

How thick is the middle of the concrete ,1 inch or more? Do you still like it ? Thanks

Why no wire mess or reinforcement to keep the concrete from cracking?

Thank you so much for the video. What type of cement did you used? Thank you for your prompt response!

Looks great! but, Does it not need wire or mesh reinforcement or tapping to get out the air bubbles??

Hey there!! What sealer did you use?? I would love to start my project very soon!

Nice video , thanks a lot. Can we put some hot plates on that? what sealer u used? thanks!

We tried this process and 1. Our concrete took several hours to set. My husband worried about how long it was taking and removed the sides too early I think, causing a crack. Now I'll have to repair that. 2. We struggled with mixing. Our drill was not powerful enough and started smoking. So I think the slow setting was due to too much water in the mix because we could not get all the concrete mixed in properly

If you were doing this for kitchen counters and not an island I assume the pour in forms method would be the only way to go . I love the look of a concrete countertop and we are considering this for ours this summer. Also I was unable to find out if CTS distributes in Canada, certainly Home Depot doesn't carry their products

Спасибо!❤👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

What is used for the sealer? Does it have to be resealed eventually?

Maybe I missed it, but did you use a dye at all?

No reinforcement mesh needed for this RapidSet product? or does it depend on thickness?

Hi again, you didn't use any reinforcement? Are you not concerned with cracks in the future? Thanks,

Do you use a special sandpaper to do the wet sanding?

One question I would have asked to the guys from Rapid Set is how to change the color of the concrete

Hello, good job - i have only one question - what do you do with the cement panels?

I noticed the rep for Cement-All say he recommended it “for that size” but he didn’t explain. I need a 57” x 97.5” island top (yes that’s 4.5’ by 8’ plus a 1.5” overhang each side, not including the bar end.). Will the Cement-All work? And why didn’t you use reinforcements like at least like a thin ladder shaped metal piece (I think Lowes calls it a remesh sheet?)

White concrete is like soapstone classy walrus narwahl

The snap off forms would save you a lot of time. The actual pour portion of the video was beneficial.

No reinforcement ? Hope it doesn’t crack.

hey, what is the minimum thickness for concreate countertops? I am aiming for max 2cm what is approx 0.78in.. is it doable?

Also, one more question....it appears white. No additives needed to get this white color? Thanks

22:39 seconds in you can see the holes in the cabinets from the previous shelfs. please fill and paint. the black dots create so much contrast

I see you didn’t use any steel reinforcing?

What sealant did you use?

I realize I'm watching this over a year later, but I have a question as I've been watching several videos on doing this. All other videos I saw recommended a fiberglass mesh in the concrete (like rebar but lighter weight). Why did you opt not to use something like that?

Why no tarp under all the mixing area !!!

Also, what kind of table saw do you have there?

How much would CTS rapid set have charge to come out and do it professionally without your help?

20:51 Why not use an electric sander?

So no wire, mesh or bars in the middle of the concrete?

Nice video! What is your sweet dog’s 💕💕💕💕name?

How long do these countertops last? We are about to start a renovation and looking for an alternative to quartz…the general contractor told me he doesn’t know how long these will last ??

Does the concrete stain easy?

Just curious... where can you get a piece of quartz that big for $600?! lol

Question, no metal like rebar or the screen?

What kind of water should you use?

You think that's DIY and easy - Does the company rep with the red shirt and the guy with the mask come with the bags of cement?

Hi... can i make it as a flooring ?

I love how DIY videos always have various dogs standing around wondering what everyone is doing 😂

3:33 almost caught a board to the head at breakneck speeds.

NO cabinet doors?

Ok. The reps come...but y don't they just install it themselves? I know they charge to come out. 😆

My wife and I are looking to do the same thing to our kitchen. But I have one important question, how is the maintenance on it? Now that you’ve had the time to work on it.

what was the depth of the countertop?

And you too can make an easy concrete countertop with 10 of your closest friends...

Why did you no add rio bar inside concrete?????

No aggregate? No rebar? Where is the strength?

"Cement Control" is just washing soda, that is $3.00 a kilo.

Working like a mule.

Whew Chile. 😅 😩

To save 1 day in dry time, I would save the $3-400 extra. Almost silly.

i mean DIY cool but it was kinda half a product advert . . . and not a very good one tbh. . . if that system doesn't have a form set why not use one and solve 80% of your issues with finish. it's about the same 'cost' as messing with all the form work and nonsense out of the stone age :) you can more effectively level and finish the way you wish be it from a rougher 'rustic' to full up blackened if you want . . . and it provides a uniform scree base to work off of, y'all had a lump at one end and divets all over the other heh . . . should also be careful about giving 'universal' concrete recommendations, what works or is required for where ever you are may be not only wrong but dangerous & illegal else where . . . and that applies all the way from the foundation/frame work through finish and use. . . beyond my armchair quarter edit'n it was very cool of you to document, show and share the process and experience, kudos! :)