The Recipe for Making Do-It-Yourself Concrete Countertops

How do I get started?
Plan first! Think about how you want to work in your kitchen and how that translates into the design of your concrete countertop. Consider your options: sink size, built-in cutting boards, color or color combinations, integral trivets, and more. View our Gallery and inspire your creativity. Remember, concrete allows you to create almost any look or feature as long as you plan for it in your mold.
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Precast vs. Pour-in-Place
These are the two methods for creating concrete countertops. At Cheng Design, we prefer to "precast" concrete countertops as it allows more customization, control, and a level surface. "Pour-in-place" countertops are generally less refined and do not allow for some custom design elements, but may be a good alternative for certain projects. Though the precast method may seem more complex, at first, the skills required for final surface finishing are less demanding (for most Do-it-Yourselfers) than the pour-in-place method.
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CHENG Pro-Formula vs. NeoMix Original Products
Both CHENG Pro-Formula and the NeoMix Products are designed to create consistent, beautiful concrete countertops. CHENG Pro-Formula makes the mixing process easy by combining admixture, water reducer, pigment, and other key components into a simple, all-in-one solution. NeoMix Original Products include three individual components—admixture, water reducer and pigment allowing more flexibility for custom-coloring and complex mix design (like pour-in-place projects). Both are available in a range of designer colors to create your professional-grade concrete countertop!
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What and how much do I need?
CHENG Pro-Formula and NeoMix Original Products are packaged to yield three cubic feet of concrete countertop mix when added to six bags of sixty-pound sacked concrete (5000 PSI) and water. Cheng Pro-Formula is also available in a one cubic foot size for use with two bags of sixty-pound sacked concrete. Our Pro-Formula Project Calculator is a simple tool that helps you translate your project dimensions into cubic feet and develop a customized project materials list for use with Cheng Pro-Formula.
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"Ground" vs. "Unground" Finish
The look you desire for your concrete countertop determines whether or not you'll grind its surface. If you want an even, monochromatic look, you want an "unground" finish—no grinding is necessary after releasing your countertop from the mold. If you want to reveal aggregates (the small rocks included in sacked concrete) or decorative aggregates (semi-precious stones placed in the mold as a design element) on your countertop surface, you want a "ground" finish and grinding is required. Your choice—either or both finishes create a beautiful concrete countertop!
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How do I protect the surface?
You'll want to protect the beauty of your concrete countertop by sealing and waxing it. CHENG Sealer creates a layer of protection to help repel stains and prevent them from penetrating your concrete countertop. CHENG Finishing Wax provides another layer of protection and gives your concrete countertop additional luster. While your concrete countertop may develop a patina over time, this will only add to its unique character and beauty.
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