Tip finishing or polishing concrete countertops using these techniques is done the next day and in some cases 3 7 days after the concrete countertop was poured.
Polished exposed aggregate concrete countertops.
Smoothing the concrete mix with a hand trowel is the only technique you will use on the day the countertop is poured.
Because regular floor polishing is a step by step process commercial business owners and homeowners alike are able to choose the level of shine from satin to a very high gloss floor whichever meets your maintenance and aesthetic requirements.
However it does require more work that just pouring the concrete because you need to expose the aggregate through careful grinding and optional polishing.
Aggregate is not very difficult to use and it creates a total custom look.
Photo courtesy of retroplate.
The exposed aggregate will be more noticeable if it contrasts with the concrete color such as using bits of white marble in a charcoal gray countertop.
Fred herbold css csi with sera architects in portland ore says he sees polished concrete as part of the placement criteria and feels that the opportunity for bidders to miss the specification is too easy if placed in division 9.
Add larger glass aggregates for concrete countertop lighting features.
Add aggregates directly into countertop mix and polish for a sparkly finish.
Exposed aggregate polished concrete floors are versatile.
After the concrete is poured and finished there are a few methods that can be used to expose the aggregate such as water washing abrasive blasting honing and acid etching but when it comes to concrete countertops whether pre cast or poured in place a wet polisher and diamond polishing pads are most common.
I define three stages.
Achieving a fine polished look in concrete countertops requires using progressively finer grits of diamond pads.
Depending on the look you are trying to achieve you may start or stop at any point along this progression.
Decorative aggregates such as colored glass or crushed stone can add a great uniqueness to a concrete countertop.
Grinding honing and polishing.
To enhance the gem like sparkle of exposed aggregate seal the surface with a high gloss sealer.
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If you want a salt pepper look or an exposed aggregate.
Polished cream with waviness due to not finishing flat.
This process will expose the top of the stone aggregate leaving the rest embedded.