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Length - 05:26

Award-winning designer, author and concrete countertop fabricator Fu-Tung Cheng shows the different tools used in making concrete countertops. One of the main aspects in creating any concrete countertop is the sink.

Fu-Tung recommends undermounting stainless steel, porcelain, or granite sinks because concrete erodes when water runs on it constantly. The undermount sink also shows off the form and thickness of the concrete countertop.

A great way to create a void in a concrete countertop form for a sink is to use a pre-formed foam sink knockout. Here Cheng uses an Elkay sink knockout. If the manufacturer does not provide sink knockouts contact them for their recommended sink opening size. This will help you avoid making the sink opening too small or large where sink drain boards or cutting boards need to be used.

If you have to make a custom foam sink knockout make sure you find blue packing foam that is the exact thickness of the countertop you are fabricating. This means if the countertop is two and one half inches thick, then the foam should be two and one half inches thick.

The outside of the foam is rough so it's important to wrap the foam sink knockouts with edging tape to give the opening a smooth finish. This is a plastic tape that has adhesive on one side. Make sure the thickness of the edging tape is the same thickness as the foam sink knockout. The smoothness of the plastic tape will make the knockout easy to remove after your countertop has been poured.

There is a reason Fu-Tung recommends undermounting stainless steel or porcelain sinks in kitchens. In the kitchen there is a lot of hard use and abuse to the sink that happens naturally—cast iron pots, scrubbing, using harsh soaps.

If you pour an integral concrete sink in this situation, then the sink will erode much more quickly than the stainless steel. Using an undermount sink is a design element as well. The edge of the concrete around the sink is now exposed and this shows off the natural thickness and mass of the concrete countertop. In addition, if the undermount sink is damaged it is easy to replace. Whereas with an integral sink it would be very difficult to replace any damaged areas.

Again, be sure to follow the sink manufacturer's recommended size when you are cutting a knockout for the sink opening. This ensures that any accessories that come with the sink (cutting boards, dish holders, etc.) will still fit inside the opening. If there are no accessories, or the homeowner doesn't want them, it is a good idea to make a small overhang with the countertop. This tucks the sink under the countertop which really enhances the depth and visual effect of the concrete countertop.