CONCRETE WORK TOPS

One of the most exciting decisions we made during the renovations of our kitchen, 

was to have polished concrete worktops.  

We spent a lot of time discussing (...and with the odd argument thrown in!), what work surface would be best.  

Was it to be wood, granite, corian, ceramic, quartz or concrete?   

My research lead us to concrete and once I'd seen it, there was no going back. 

I knew it was what we had to have.  

Luckily for us, I found a local firm - Low info, - who with the help of Tim, 'spoon fed' us through every step of the process.

Once the units where in place, templates were made in MDF. We needed 3 separate pieces... large island size with cut out for hob, L-shape that goes from door into corner then to sink and lastly the section where the sink was to be. 

(above) This is the sink section and below shows the MDF template.

Once the measurements and templates were made, the concrete was filled and caste at the factory. It then needs to cure...

"Curing is the process in which the concrete is protected from loss of moisture and

kept within a reasonable temperature range. The result of this process is increased

strength and decreased permeability. Curing is also a key player in mitigating

cracks in the concrete, which severely impacts durability."

We decided on a natural 'beach white' colour.  To lighten the weight of the concrete, the
centre is filled with a foam plaster board and the concrete poured (sometimes by hand)
around the edges.  Below shows the underneath of the worktop with plaster board in the
middle and the concrete on the edge.

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Finally, after 10 weeks of waiting, the exciting day arrives and the concrete is delivered.  

It took 5 strong men to lift the island into place ... 

from van to tressel table ... 

from tressel table to utility room floor...

from utility room floor, then basically sliding it on cotton rags to the kitchen, 

picked up and put onto the units and moved into its final position.

                           (below) The finished work tops in place.