Project Description
Our clients wanted to replace their Kitchen’s Formica® countertops and backsplashes with rustic cement. By “rustic," they meant the surface and edges would remain pitted and rough, not polished, or even sanded smooth. They also wanted the edges and corners to be cut roughly, including chips and cracks that normally would be sanded back or filled to produce straight edges and perfect corners.
Rather than remove the Formica® and replace it with solid cement, we transformed the existing countertops by coating them with a bonding agent that helps the cement adhere to the smooth, non-porous Formica® surfaces.
The layer of concrete we applied was several times thicker than usual to allow for the rough, pitted top surfaces and the chipped corners and edges. Last, we applied a sealant to protect the concrete from any damage that liquids used while cooking and/or cleaning a kitchen could cause. ​​​​​​​
Our approach pleased our clients not only because they got the exact rustic look they wanted, but also because they avoided the hassle of physically replacing the old countertops with new ones, and our solution proved significantly less expensive than the alternative.
Before & After Comparison
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Work in progress
We started by applying a bonding agent which helps the cement we added o stick to the Formica®. It's a necessary first step because the smooth, shiny, and non-porous Formica® surfaces are specifically designed to prevent anything from sticking to them.
Below is a BEFORE and AFTER look at one of the countertops BEFORE we applied anything, and AFTER step TWO in the process. Notice also that we protected all the surfaces surrounding the countertops by masking them off and/or covering them with something that paint, glaze, and wet cement cannot dissolve or penetrate.
The AFTER image in this comparison shows the countertop after completing the SECOND process: applying cement over the bonding agent we previously applied on top of the Formica®. After the cement dries and cures, it will be covered with a clear coat that will protect it from liquids used while cooking and cleaning.
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A closer look at the center island
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Completed Work
A closer look at finished countertops
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Finished Countertops
Closeup
