DIY Concrete Countertops Leave Homeowners in Over Their Heads

ConcreteNetwork.com explores the possibilities of DIY concrete countertops. Homeowners willing to take on the challenge can review the site's information on common issues when building countertops, proper materials and tools, installation and more.

Calimesa, CA January 22, 2010 – Building concrete countertops is challenging, even for the professionals. Novice homeowners willing to take on the challenges of DIY concrete countertops must be prepared for several trips back to the drawing board. For this reason, ConcreteNetwork.com has created a section full of countertop resources and information for DIYer's.

The site covers a host of issues that may arise when building concrete countertops. They include: common causes of cracks, ways to minimize air bubbles, best cement types to use, the importance of water-cement ratio and more. Homeowners can get first-hand tips to deal with these issues from concrete countertop professional Jeff Girard, founder and president of The Concrete Countertop Institute.

DIY concrete countertops also involve many other factors like which cement mix to use, what types of tools are needed, how to install the countertop once it's finished. It's important to thoroughly research the information available before undertaking a project.

DIYer's determined to tackle a countertop project are advised to stick with simple layouts, that incorporate minimal coloring and finishing techniques. For those feeling overwhelmed with the pressures of building a custom countertop for their kitchen, The Concrete Network provides a directory of local concrete countertop artisans that can help.

Established in 1999, The Concrete Network's purpose is to educate consumers, builders, and contractors on popular decorative techniques and applications. These include stamped concrete, stained concrete floors, concrete countertops, polished concrete, and much more. Over 11 million people visited ConcreteNetwork.com in 2009 to research, get ideas and to find a contractor.

The site excels at connecting buyers with local contractors in their area through its Find a Concrete Contractor service. The service provides visitors with a list of decorative concrete contractors throughout the U.S. and Canada, and is fully searchable by more than 20 types of decorative concrete work in over 200 regional areas throughout North America.