DIY Concrete Countertops Frequently Asked Questions

Use these concrete countertop FAQs to help you make a good decision about whether to use this DIY technique in your home.

Fun FAQs: DIY Concrete Countertops

I have loved these concrete countertops since I built them over a year ago. The gray concrete adds just the right amount of urban style to this guest bathroom, and you can't beat the price! I was surprised at how easy it was to make such a big change. The process was a little time consuming, mostly while waiting for each coat of concrete to dry, but it wasn't technically difficult.

I wrote about how I created these countertops in three different blog posts:

The Process

The Reveal

The Finishing Details

Don't worry, DIYing your countertops isn't that hard! I just had several other projects going at the same time for my bathroom makeover, so it wasn't my usual one-and-done tutorial style post.

Now I'm back to share with you how they're holding up, and answer several other questions I've heard along the way. I know it's a big commitment to slather concrete all over your countertops, and I did a lot of research before trying it on mine. Now you'll have the FAQ's you need to make your own decision.

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DIY Concrete Countertop FAQs

How long did it take?

The whole process took several days, but that was mostly just drying time in between coats. Also, if you were just covering a countertop and not filling in the scalloped sink, like I did, it would probably require many fewer coats. I just did three coats on the actual countertop, and that could have been done in three days.

Do you really need the concrete sealer?

Yes. You need the sealer on any concrete that's going to get moisture on it, or regular wear and tear. Plus it adds a nice satin sheen that, in my opinion, upgraded the look of the concrete to something a little more polished.

Does the finish hold up well to regular wear and tear?

In all honesty, I'm not sure I can answer this question well. This is our guest bathroom, and it gets used regularly (because it's the only one on this side of the house), but it's not taking the heavy abuse of say, a children's bathroom. (Can I get an amen from you moms of small children?)

It has stood up really well to toothpaste globs, water splashing, and soap drips, but I'm not sure what would happen if you put three teenage boys in this bathroom to get ready for school every morning.

I haven't seen any evidence of the concrete breaking down or separating from the marble underneath, or even a scratch in the finish, so I've been really happy with it. Read on for one tiny little detail...

What would you have done differently?

I love everything about this concrete countertop, except the way it works in the sink drain. When the water pools around the drain, it has started breaking down the sealant a little, and has left a dark spot around the drain. It's not terrible, but doesn't look perfect either. If I had the money, I would replace the sink with a standard porcelain one. In the meantime, I'm planning on sanding off the sealant in that area and re-sealing it. I'll be sure to post an update when I figure out if that will solve the problem.

Would you do it on a whole kitchen?

This one's a yes and no answer. I think this would look great, and work really well, on a whole kitchen counter. I would not recommend it for the inside of the kitchen sink. Also, you would want to look into getting a food-grade sealant to cover it, rather than the concrete sealant I used.

Would you do it again?

I would absolutely do it again, in this situation. By that I mean it was the perfect solution to the problem I had of no budget, and needing to find a way to get rid of that shell sink. I don't know that I'll keep it forever, but it was a great way to makeover this bathroom on a serious budget, until I get the money to rip everything out and start over.

It made my bathroom look like a whole new room, and was so worth the time and energy it took to make! I can honestly say I like even more now than I did at the beginning. I think that's because I've been so impressed with how well it's stood the test of time and still looks great.

CONCRETE COUNTERTOP RESOURCES:

In case you're ready to get to work, and don't want to have to go back and read the other posts, here's a list of everything you'll need to get started on your own project.

• Henry Feather Finish Concrete
• Disposable Gloves
• Mixing Bucket
• Dust Masks
• Palm Sander
• Sand Paper Replacements
• Concrete Sealant
• Foam Brushes

We're getting close to the end of this collection of Fun FAQ's, but I've got one more up my sleeve, about my Barn Doors. Be sure to check back for that one if you've ever thought about putting barn doors in your house.

As always, I really love to hear your thoughts and questions, so drop me a comment below!