This book was written to address the various needs of a craftsperson or any interested party who wants to consider making their own concrete countertop. Most of the modern countertops that I have seen written about or constructed are precast countertops. This book is written for cast-in-place fabricators, and I hope along with instruction for how to build a cast-in-place countertop (referred to also as CIP countertop), it will help with design and inspire the countless possibilities for potential countertop consumers.

Introduction

 TRC's Beginnings with Concrete Countertops

 The History of Concrete Countertops

 Why Concrete Countertops?

 Why Cast-in-Place Countertops?

 Pre-Cast Countertops

Getting Started

 Client Expectations

 Samples

 Surface Preparation

 Formwork

 Backsplashes

Monolithic Backsplash Casting Method

Pre-Cast Backsplash Method

 Fixtures and Appliances

 Undermount Sinks Form

 Overmount Sink Forms

 Faucets

 Specialty Sinks/Tubs

Forming and Pouring

Reinforcing

Mix Design and Pouring Countertops

 Admixtures

 Using Ready Mix Concrete

 Mixing Your Own Concrete

 Using Pre-Mixed Bagged Concrete

 Pouring Countertops

 Burnishing

Topical Colorations

 Acid Staining and Acrylic Dyes

Acid Stains

Application of Acid Stain

 Acrylics and Dyes

Applications of Dyes

 Integral and Dust-on Colors for Countertops

Integral Colors

Dust-on Colors

Finishing Concrete Countertops

 Polishing

 Sealing and Waxing

 Maintenance

Estimating and Selling Countertops

Marketing

Project Portfolio/Gallery

Appendix

Glossary

Organizations/Training

Tools and Materials Needed to Build a Countertop