Anyone made a concrete tabletop?

[Phil_D]

Wife wants me to make a new dining table and I fancy having a go at a polished concrete top. As it’s going to be an 8 seater, to avoid it literally weighing like 400kg I think I’ll have to go for GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) and maybe make it 30mm or so thick.

There’s a company called Concrete Lab who do DIY kits, but it’s expensive, and as it’s my first go there’s a good chance I’ll have a few cock ups. I’d like to maybe start with a side table or something first just to get my eye in.

The kit you can buy from Concrete Lab comes with the concrete mix, the glass fibres,some superplasticiser and optional dye. I’ve seen the glass fibres for sale and they’re pretty cheap, so fancy seeing if I can mix up something suitable myself without it costing as much - is anyone able to recommend a mix / products to use?

 

[Parm]

I looked into this years ago to make a table for the garden. Ended up buying the book below, but table never happened

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concrete-Countertops-Design-Finishes-Kitchen/dp/1561586803

 

[Phil_D]

I looked into this years ago to make a table for the garden. Ended up buying the book below, but table never happened

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Concrete-Countertops-Design-Finishes-Kitchen/dp/1561586803

I had actually seen that but wondered how relevant a book written in 2004 would be today? Surely there’s been lots of changes in addmixtures etc since then?

 

[Morrisman]

I’ve sailed in a 50’ yacht made from concrete, and the hull was but 1 1/2” thick. It’s a lot stronger than most people think, mixed and applied correctly.

 

[Agroshield]

Surely there’s been lots of changes in admixtures etc since then?

There has, but buying the latest whizz-bang chemical soup in less than an IBC quantity is not going to be possible. Hence, for DIY use, the best you might get is 5 litres from a building trade supplier, which will not be the latest technology.

The secret will be to minimise water, have a good grading of material for the section size and to cure very well (for a small item, complete immersion in water at 20 degrees for two weeks would be practical).

 

[Parm]

I had actually seen that but wondered how relevant a book written in 2004 would be today? Surely there’s been lots of changes in addmixtures etc since then?

Quite possibly, but I couldn’t say as I’ve not looked at this in a long while and my project never happened

 

[Nomad]

I have some experience helping cast more structural concrete slabs (covers for manholes etc):
Typically use rebar or similar for reinforcement. slab is normally about 4 ins thick - heavy but strong enough to walk on - this may be too heavy for your table top - just putting this here in case the info helps.

 

[MattF]

I had actually seen that but wondered how relevant a book written in 2004 would be today? Surely there’s been lots of changes in addmixtures etc since then?

Basic principles generally remain the same, in a lot of areas.

 

[gaz1]

what you will be wanting is something like this and theres alot more involved than what your aware of

so to give you a good idea heres a video

there is live edge epoxy tables on youtube if you want to have a look

 

[Morrisman]

Basic principles generally remain the same, in a lot of areas.

Didn’t the Romans create a concrete that has yet to be bettered by today’s technology?

 

[gaz1]

Didn’t the Romans create a concrete that has yet to be bettered by today’s technology?

yes and sea water is the key ingredient

 

[arther dailey]

I would advise adding galv weld mesh

 

[rtcosic]

so to give you a good idea heres (sic) a video

That seems a lot of effort to produce a mediocre end result.
I could imagine that in a vandal-prone 'community area' but in a kitchen?

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

Concrete table...sounds great...until someone smashes your favourite wine glass!

Quite like those wood/epoxy tables but maybe they're old hat these days.

 

[m_c]

I would advise adding galv weld mesh

Doesn't concrete and galvanising attack each other?

 

[arther dailey]

Doesn't concrete and galvanising attack each other?

never had a problem but used to paint galv first . on long rebar would plastic coat it , experiance wise made statues/pots and bird baths as a living for 30 year.

 

[cocker]

Didn’t the Romans create a concrete that has yet to be bettered by today’s technology?

Some of that Roman concrete is over 2,000 years old - no one has bettered that !

 

[cocker]

never had a problem but used to paint galv first . on long rebar would plastic coat it , experiance wise made statues/pots and bird baths as a living for 30 year.

Stainless steel rebar is available , s/s wire as well .
Wear safety specs and get a job lot of nips !

 

[Welderpaul]

Wife wants me to make a new dining table and I fancy having a go at a polished concrete top. As it’s going to be an 8 seater, to avoid it literally weighing like 400kg I think I’ll have to go for GFRC (glass fibre reinforced concrete) and maybe make it 30mm or so thick.

There’s a company called Concrete Lab who do DIY kits, but it’s expensive, and as it’s my first go there’s a good chance I’ll have a few cock ups. I’d like to maybe start with a side table or something first just to get my eye in.

The kit you can buy from Concrete Lab comes with the concrete mix, the glass fibres,some superplasticiser and optional dye. I’ve seen the glass fibres for sale and they’re pretty cheap, so fancy seeing if I can mix up something suitable myself without it costing as much - is anyone able to recommend a mix / products to use?

This is my friend's site, he makes all manner of GRC and polished concrete tables

 

[Beeezer]

I’ve sailed in a 50’ yacht made from concrete, and the hull was but 1 1/2” thick. It’s a lot stronger than most people think, mixed and applied correctly.

A friend used to have a 60’ concrete narrow boat.