I put hardi under the overhang. I thought like you did and thought no one would see it, but decided on attaching the hardi and glad I did. Many people will look under the counter just to see how you built it or if sitting in a chair you will be able to see it. Leaving just the studs showing will make it looked unfinished. Doesn't take much time to screw some hardi under there. Plus it helps keep the critters out.
Let the build begin!!!
- Thread starter Orogrande
- Start date
I put hardi under the overhang. I thought like you did and thought no one would see it, but decided on attaching the hardi and glad I did. Many people will look under the counter just to see how you built it or if sitting in a chair you will be able to see it. Leaving just the studs showing will make it looked unfinished. Doesn't take much time to screw some hardi under there. Plus it helps keep the critters out.
You can't reuse the Z counterforms. Once you snap off the edge they're done. The stain I got at my local concrete shop. It's a brand called proline. Its a waterbased stain and the color was pinto. My wife did the great job of staing the concrete using a sponge. We then added a "wet look" sealer. It took a lot of sanding with diamond sanding pads to get smooth. My trowel skills are less then desirable.
Killer95Stang
Well-known member
Got another question for you. 
When you put hardie board for the countertops, I see you left an overhang of about 2-3". You then attached the z-form to the end, creating your desired countertop overhang. Did you go back and cut the hardie board flat with the walls of the island, so it wouldn't be visible under the countertop? I'm assuming you cut them back then placed your stacked stone right up to the bottom of the counters.
Thanks.
When you put hardie board for the countertops, I see you left an overhang of about 2-3". You then attached the z-form to the end, creating your desired countertop overhang. Did you go back and cut the hardie board flat with the walls of the island, so it wouldn't be visible under the countertop? I'm assuming you cut them back then placed your stacked stone right up to the bottom of the counters. Thanks.
Got another question for you.
Thanks.
I didn't cut the hardi under the counter. The stone I installed covered the hardi. No reason to cut it out since the stone covered it.
What are the dimensions on the foot rest compared to your bar counter overhang? I love the look of that, I'm going have to copy. Any pics of that construction?
Any pics of that construction?Not sure about Redguard but Hydroban(laticrete version of hydrophobic coating) used under veneer stone is the layer just before adding stone. Let dry and mortar veneer stone directly to it. Mortar joints are not waterproof so depending on where you live and how you build the structure you may want to coat it.
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oops wrong thread!
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oops wrong thread!
Orogrande, did you use a additive for the quikcrete i.e. Z counterforms counterpack or liquicrete or Chengs additives? I have been hitting countertop forums - some use the additives and some don't with good results. Curious to know what you used or didnt use - your project turned out great!
I didn't use any additives for my concrete counter. I only used the quikrete countertop mix. Had to special order from lowes.
Love the build. I will be doing one similar to this in size, where did you get the plan or did you make the plan yourself? If you made it yourself, can you share? Also, the footrest, how did you attach it? Where did you go to learn about making the countertop out of concrete? This will be my first ODK so any help would be appreciated.
Thank you. Sorry, no plans. Did it all in my head. I attached the footrest by screwing the footrest frame to the island frame. There are a lot of great videos on YouTube that show you how to make an island and countertop. Good luck to you.
