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Getting Started in Countertops

The things you need to know before jumping into the market

Doug Bannister demonstrates on countertop

Doug Bannister, The Stamp Store, demonstrates on a countertop during a training class. Getting trained should be the first step when starting in the countertop business.

Embedding glass pieces in countertops is one of the most popular looks. It's important to talk to the manufacturer of your mix to make sure it will work with glass or other embedded items.

Buddy Rhodes combines molded furniture, like this cone table, and matching countertops in many residential applications.

One of the biggest benefits of concrete countertops is their unlimited adaptability. For this project, The Countertop Concrete Institute embedded coins into the countertop to provide the client with a unique finish.

Attention to detail is extremely important with concrete countertops. Here Jeff Girard of The Concrete Countertop Institute demonstrates the proper edging of a sink.

"Countertops require more time and more work than most contractors are used to." Buddy Rhodes

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"You need to ask questions when buying a mix," Bannister says. "What's the water demand? Will it crack? Does it curl? What about stain proofing? Do they have a product to touch up rough edges? If they can't answer those questions for you, you probably want to work with someone else."

When choosing a mix, it's also important to know whether you are planning on creating precast or cast-in-place countertops (see sidebar, bottom of page). Many mixes are specifically designed for one method and may not work as well when used for the other. Another problem is that some so-called countertop mixes are actually just repackaged mixes for other decorative concrete applications and may not get the job done.

"The person getting into the business needs to be very skeptical of training, materials and information," Girard says. "They need to make sure what they are using is truly appropriate for concrete countertops."

For more information:

Buddy Rhodes Concrete Products
The Concrete Countertop Institute
The Stamp Store
Tech-Fab

Countertop starter kit

When getting started in concrete countertops, it's important to have the right tools and accessories. Here is a list of items that the Concrete Countertop Institute recommends.