It’s important to use the right concrete mix for concrete countertops. A good concrete countertop professional should be able to provide you with this information, but it’s always a good idea to have an understanding of the different types of mixes available and what they mean for your project.
Concrete is a mixture of four basic components: cement, water, aggregate (rock, sand, or gravel) and admixtures (chemicals that control setting time and other properties). Admixtures are optional. The proportions of these materials determine the quality and performance of the concrete.
The amount of water used in a concrete mixture is called water-cement ratio (w/c or wc). The lower the number that follows the w/c ratio, the stronger the mix. This is because less water means a higher w/c ratio. The strength of concrete increases as less water is used in the mix; however, using too little water results in a dryer mix that can lead to cracks in your finished product.
Learn how to select the right concrete mix for your project. Find out how much concrete mix you need for your project with our concrete calculator. A basic concrete mix works for many small projects, such as setting posts, while a high-strength or crack-resistant mix works better for patching a driveway. Avoid substituting a mortar mix for a concrete mix. Plan to keep the concrete surface slightly moist for 3 to 5 days while it cures to prevent cracks.
How to Select the Right Concrete Mix
Concrete is one of the most versatile, durable and cost effective building materials on the planet. With so many applications and uses, no wonder 4 to 5 cubic yards of the stuff is produced every year!
Micro Concrete is a micro crystalline cementitious product that can be used in conjunction with concrete countertop mixes. It adds strength, durability, and abrasion resistance to your mix.
It is a very fine powder and can be easily incorporated into the water used to mix concrete.
Micro Concrete is typically used at 3-5% by weight of the total cementious materials in your concrete although you may use it in smaller or larger amounts depending on your needs. It can be used in any concrete mix but its most effective when used with our premium concrete countertop mixes.
As a general rule, 1.5 to 2 sacks (94-pound sacks) should be used for each cubic yard of concrete to be poured. 5-sack mixes are generally used for commercial applications where strength and durability is critical.
Proper curing is essential in producing a high quality countertop. The concrete must not dry out too quickly, which can cause shrinkage, cracking and discoloration. To prevent this, you will need to cover the top with plastic and mist it with water every day for at least 3 days. Keeping the concrete moist will slow down the hydration process which means the concrete will continue to gain strength over time. This process could take up to 90 days if left uncovered.
The correct consistency or slump (amount of water added) is critical in making a quality countertop. The ideal slump should be between 4” and 6” when measured from the bottom of the slump cone to the top of the pile after being filled with concrete and tamped 25 times in accordance with ASTM C143 – Slump test for Concrete.
Micro Concrete
This concrete has a very fine texture and is highly polished. The alabaster finish is smooth and glossy, with a soft sheen. It’s the perfect choice for a contemporary home or office. The Micro Concrete finish is available in all our colours.
Micro Concrete Countertop Mix
The Micro Concrete Mix differs from the regular concrete mix because it’s more finely textured, so it can be polished to a smooth, glassy finish. The Micro Concrete Countertop Mix uses a blend of cements and lightweight aggregates to achieve this look and feel.
Micro Concrete is a revolutionary new finish for flooring, walls and countertops. This unique product has the look and feel of polished concrete but can be installed on surfaces that are not suitable for conventional concrete polishing.
Micro Concrete is much easier than traditional concrete polishing as it does not require the use of special diamond pads or complex machinery. You will have the perfect countertop in just one day with no mess, no fuss and no damage to your existing surfaces.
Micro Concrete is available in a wide range of colours, textures and finishes to suit any project you may be working on. It is ideal for any home or commercial application including kitchens, bathrooms and offices where a clean, modern look is desired.
We are so confident in Micro Concrete’s performance that we offer a Lifetime Warranty against defects in materials or workmanship.
Choosing the right concrete mix is an important part of any concrete project. When choosing the right concrete mix, you will want to consider the end use, strength requirements and overall cost. You can choose from Portland cement, fly ash, slag cement, natural or synthetic pozzolans and aggregates. Each ingredient has its own properties which may be favorable for certain applications. For example Portland cement is a high early strength cement that produces high strengths in initial set times. This type of product is sometimes used in patching small areas and repair work or where a high early strength is needed for formwork removal or fast-track construction schedules.
Fly ash is a by-product from coal-fired electric power plants. It has been used as a partial replacement for portland cement since the 1930’s. The use of fly ash offers many benefits to the concrete producer including improved workability, increased ultimate strength, reduced permeability and cracking, improved durability and reduced heat of hydration.
Slag Cement was first used commercially in Germany around 1910 due to its ability to increase the strength and improve the workability of concrete while reducing bleeding and segregation. Slag Cement offers many advantages over traditional Portland cements including: increased compressive and flexural strengths, improved finish