Contents
Introduction, 2
1. DESIGN AND PLANNING, 6
Why concrete? 8
Before you begin, 11
Break out of the mold, 20
Complements and supplements, 31
2. BUILDING THE MOLD, 36
Tools and materials, 41
Laying out the mold, 49
Assembling the mold, 56
3. MIX DESIGN, 78
The basics, 81
A basic mix, 96
Calculating and proportioning ingredients, 98
4. MIXING AND POURING, 104
Tools and materials, 105
The work environment, 112
Mixing the concrete, 113
Placing the concrete, 119
5. CURING, FINISHING, AND TROUBLESHOOTING, 124
Curing, 125
Releasing the concrete, 130
Grinding and polishing, 136
Placing inlays, 142
Sealing the concrete, 143
Troubleshooting, 149
6. INSTALLING THE COUNTERTOP, 158
Preparing the cabinets, 159
lnstallating the countertop, 163
Installing the backsplash, 170
Appendix 1. Building a Curved Form, 174
Appendix 2. Forming a Drop-Down Front Edge, 176
Appendix 3. Pouring a Countertop in Place, 178
Appendix 4. Maintaining a Concrete Countertop, 190
Resources, 95
Credits, 198
Index, 199
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