What to Watch:
Tips for Templating Concrete Countertops
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Templating for a concrete countertops is an important part of the
fabrication process. Getting the correct measurements from the start will help you avoid most installation headaches. Award-winning
concrete countertop fabricator and designer Fu-Tung Cheng shows you the materials and methods he uses for fool-proof templating.
Watch the video now. |
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How to Avoid Countertop Installation Mistakes: Easy Solutions to 5 Common Problems
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 Hi ,
For many of you who make concrete countertops,
the fabrication process is the most trouble-free aspect of the operation. It takes place in your shop under controlled conditions, according to proven mix designs and color formulations, and without an anxious homeowner peering over your shoulder. It's during countertop installation when most of the problems crop up, says Evan Lloyd of Solid Solutions Studios, Fresno, Calif. Here, Evan shares six of the most common pitfalls he has encountered during countertop installation, along with practical solutions for avoiding or correcting them.
Jim Peterson,
The Concrete Network
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| 1. The countertop doesn't fit against the wall. |
 Solution:There's no such thing as a straight wall, and even slight bows could interfere with the proper fit of the countertop, making it too tight in some spots. Allow for a 1/8-inch gap between the wall and countertop when measuring your template. After
countertop installation, any visible gap that remains will most likely
be hidden by the backsplash. |
| 2. After installing the countertop over an undermount sink, you end up with a gap. |
 Solution: During countertop fabrication, shorten the cutout for the sink 1/2 to
3/4 inch on all sides beyond what the template calls for. This will
hide any gaps if they do occur. To help tighten the sink snuggly up against the countertop, use special
lifting clamps that you can stick in the sink's drain
hole (available from Granite City Tool). |
3. When you set the countertop sections on the base cabinetry, one piece sits slightly higher than the other.
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 Solution: Because the separate sections are often fabricated on different casting
tables, the final thickness can vary by just a hair, and you might not notice the problem until you join the
pieces together at the seams. Keep plastic shims on hand to adjust for height differences. During the shimming process, support the countertop by applying Liquid Nails adhesive to the plywood base in blobs and resting the
countertop pieces on top of it.
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4. Fixtures and appliances don't fit.
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 Solution: Insist that your clients choose all their plumbing fixtures, sinks, and
appliances (especially built-ins such as cooktops) before you get on
the job. It's crucial to have all these items at your disposal when measuring your templates to ensure a perfect fit.
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5. The countertop accidentally chips or cracks during installation.
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Solution: Use pieces of Styrofoam to protect the countertop sections during transport and to cushion them whenever you set them down. When assembling the countertop sections, place strips of cardboard in the seams between them to help prevent chipping at the edges when you push the pieces together. If you still get chipping despite these precautions, whip up a batch of color-matched patching material by combining the same liquid pigment used to color the countertop with some extra sand and cement or epoxy filler.
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