A concrete backsplash can be an attractive and durable addition to any kitchen. Concrete is versatile, affordable, and simple to install as a DIY project. With some planning and effort, you can create a custom concrete backsplash that suits your style. This guide will walk you through the process of making concrete backsplash step-by-step.
Introduction
Concrete backsplashes have become increasingly popular in recent years. Unlike tile or stone, concrete allows you to pour and mold it into any shape imaginable. When sealed properly, concrete is stain, acid, and heat resistant – making it an ideal backsplash material behind stoves and sinks.
Concrete backsplashes can be tinted, stamped, or polished to achieve different finishes. You can incorporate items like glass,tile, or stones when pouring concrete to create an embedded design. The options are endless.
Installing a DIY concrete backsplash is a moderately difficult project but can save thousands of dollars compared to hiring a contractor. With some carpentry skills and attention to detail, you can achieve professional-looking results. This guide will walk through the entire process, including:
- Materials needed
- Prepping the wall surface
- Building a formwork
- Mixing and pouring concrete
- Finishing techniques
- Curing and sealing
While concrete backsplashes require labor and time, they offer limitless customization for a unique focal point in your kitchen. Let’s get started!
Materials Needed
Creating a concrete backsplash requires using a mixture of standard construction materials along with concrete-specific products. Here is an overview of the basic materials needed:
- Concrete mix – Pre-blended polymer-modified concrete mix will offer greater strength and adhesion compared to regular bagged concrete. Look for mixes designed for countertops or overlays.
- Melamine board – Also called plastic laminate board, melamine is used to build watertight forms for pouring concrete. It comes in 4×8 sheets.
- Plywood – Smaller pieces of plywood are needed to build the support frame behind the melamine form.
- Screws and adhesives – To join form boards and plywood braces. Construction adhesives and exterior-grade screws are ideal.
- Concrete tint – Liquid or powder pigments added to concrete to achieve colored backsplashes. Test batches first.
- Sealer – Polyurethane concrete sealers protect backsplashes from moisture and stains. Water-based is easiest to apply.
- Tools – Screw gun or drill, jigsaw, level, trowel, float, sponge, and mixing tools will be needed.
- Decorative additives – Glass tiles, rocks, marbles or shells can be pressed into the concrete surface for added decoration.
Purchase enough melamine boards to cover the backsplash area, allowing a 1″ overlap on all sides. Have extra concrete mix and materials available to allow for errors and touch-ups.
Preparing the Wall Surface
Before building the concrete form, the wall surface behind the backsplash area must be prepared. Follow these steps:
- Remove existing backsplash tile, grout, or backerboard so the wall is stripped down to the studs and exposed drywall.
- Check that the wall is flat and even. Use drywall joint compound or spackle to fill any holes, imperfections, or uneven areas on the wall.
- The concrete will adhere best to a clean, porous surface. Lightly sand and wipe down the entire backsplash area to remove residues.
- Apply thick plastic sheeting over the countertop, stove, and surrounding surfaces for protection. Tape it securely in place.
- Determine the finished height and length of the backsplash based on your kitchen layout. Mark the area on the wall where melamine forms will attach.
Prepping the wall surface properly will ensure the poured concrete bonds and cures evenly across the entire backsplash.
Building a Formwork
The melamine formwork creates a watertight frame into which the liquid concrete can be poured and shaped as it hardens. Here are the steps to build forms:
Cutting Melamine Boards
- Use a table or circular saw to cut melamine boards to the exact height and length measurements of the backsplash area.
- Cut boards for the top and bottom edges slightly wider to allow for overlap on the wall. Cut side boards to exact measurements.
- Use a jigsaw to cut boards around outlets, switches, or other obstructions in the backsplash area.
Creating Braces
- Cut plywood strips about 2″ wide to use as support braces behind the melamine forms.
- Attach plywood braces horizontally across wall studs using screws. This provides a solid frame to screw melamine boards onto.
- Space braces every 16″ to 24″ going up the wall. Use liquid nails between boards and braces for added support.
Attaching Form Boards
- Apply a thick bead of construction adhesive along the wall perimeter where forms will attach.
- Press the melamine bottom form board in place first, overlapping the countertop edge by 1″. Screw it into the plywood braces from behind.
- Adhere and screw side melamine boards in place, aligned flush to bottom form edge. Cutouts should fit snugly around any outlets or switches.
- Finally, attach the melamine top form board with adhesive and screws. The top edge should overlap the desired backsplash height.
- Seal any gaps or corners with silicone caulk. Melamine forms should create a waterproof concrete mold.
Mixing and Pouring Concrete
With forms secured, it’s time to combine the concrete mix and pour it into the melamine frame. Follow these tips:
- Wear gloves, goggles, and a respirator when handling concrete. Follow package directions for accurate water amounts.
- Start mixing concrete in a wheelbarrow or large bucket using a shovel or mixer drill attachment.
- Add any concrete tint, colorants, or decorative media like glass tiles to the mix as this point.
- Concrete should have a thick, workable consistency, like a thick cake batter. Add water or concrete mix powder gradually if needed.
- Immediately pour concrete into the melamine formwork once mixed. Pour slowly and spread evenly, tapping the form gently to eliminate air pockets.
- Use a trowel or float to smooth out the concrete surface so it’s level.
- If embedding decorative objects like tiles or shells, gently press them into the concrete surface before it hardens.
- Allow concrete to cure undisturbed for 24-48 hours. Forms can then be removed once concrete has hardened.
Mixing and pouring concrete requires speed and attention to detail. Having a helper makes this process much easier!
Finishing Techniques
Once cured and hardened, a basic concrete backsplash can be finished in various ways to achieve different looks:
Sanding
- Use an orbital sander with 50-80 grit sandpaper to smooth away form marks or trowel lines.
- Sand evenly across the surface without pressing too hard to avoid creating dips. Always wear a respirator when sanding concrete.
Polishing
- For a glossy sheen, use wet concrete polishing pads starting with 50-grit and moving up to 3000-grit.
- Polish with a handheld polisher or grinder using plenty of water.
- Rinse well and change pads frequently to achieve a smooth, mirrored surface shine.
Stamping
- Press rubber mat stamps into the poured concrete shortly after mixing to imprint designs.
- Textured mats create stone, brick, or tile patterns when pressed into malleable concrete.
- Use powdered release agent so stamps can detach cleanly from concrete surface.
Staining
- Apply special concrete stains in layers using brushes or rags to create variegated, mottled color effects.
- Multiple stain colors can be blended and overlapped for an organic, aged look.
- Acid-based stains penetrate and react chemically with concrete for long-lasting color effects.
Sealing
- After finishing techniques are complete, seal the concrete with 2-3 coats of water-based polyurethane sealer.
- Let sealer dry fully between coats. Sealing is crucial to prevent moisture absorption and staining of concrete over time.
With some trial and error, you can achieve the exact look you envision for a unique concrete backsplash.
Curing and Sealing
Fresh concrete requires proper curing and sealing to reach full strength and achieve maximum durability:
- Allow concrete to cure undisturbed for 48-72 hours before handling. This gives concrete time to harden and bond correctly.
- Keep the concrete damp by misting with water during the curing period. This allows cement to hydrate properly.
- After curing, clean and sanitize the concrete according to sealer directions to remove residue and prepare the surface.
- Apply 2-3 coats of water-based polyurethane sealer, allowing proper drying time between coats. This seals pores and creates a protective barrier.
- Avoid using or cleaning the backsplash for 7 days after sealing to prevent damage before curing completes.
- Reseal concrete backsplash every 2-3 years as needed to maintain protection and luster.
Proper curing and sealing is vital for strength and longevity of any concrete project. It prevents cracks, stains, and other damage over time.
Tips and Tricks
Installing concrete backsplashes takes planning, patience, and hard work. Here are some additional tips to ensure success:
- Construct an initial formwork frame from inexpensive wood before using melamine. This allows you to check dimensions and test pouring techniques before the final pour.
- Set melamine forms on spacers to allow room behind for pouring concrete. Then remove spacers before concrete cures.
- Heat concrete mix water during winter pours to prolong workability. In summer, use cool water to prevent premature curing.
- Always vibrate, tap, or gently shake forms while pouring concrete to prevent air pockets from forming.
- Go slowly when sanding or polishing cured concrete. Uneven pressure can create dips. Use wet methods only.
- For smaller DIY mixes, use a countertop concrete mixer for optimal consistency control compared to shovel mixing.
- Wear knee pads – installation involves extensive kneeling which can be tough on joints.
- Consider integral colorants vs. surface stains if concerned about staining or scratching. Stains penetrate and may show wear over time.
The more care taken at each step, the more professional your finished concrete backsplash will appear.
Common Questions
Can I pour concrete directly onto drywall?
No, concrete should never be poured directly against drywall alone. Drywall is too rigid and moisture-permeable. Always build a plywood brace frame against the studs first to attach melamine forms to for support.
How thick should a concrete backsplash be?
A standard thickness for concrete backsplashes is around 1.5″. Thinner than 1″ risks cracking while thicker is heavier and uses more concrete. Measure melamine form depths accordingly.
What about weight on wall studs?
Pouring concrete does add significant weight. Adding plywood horizontal braces properly screwed into wall studs helps distribute the load. Monitor for any bowing of walls afterward.
Is sealing concrete backsplash mandatory?
Sealing is highly recommended to prevent staining, damage from moisture, and accumulation of bacteria and mold. Unsealed concrete is very porous. Sealing makes maintenance and cleaning much simpler.
Can concrete backsplash have an integrated sink?
Yes, it is possible to build wood forms allowing a section of the concrete backsplash to be poured thicker to create an indented sink area. Add piping before pouring. The concrete would need to be sealed very well.
What’s the most expensive part of a concrete backsplash?
Labor is typically the largest cost, especially if hiring concrete contractors. The melamine, concrete materials, and sealer have moderate costs. Doing it yourself saves significantly on labor expenses.
Conclusion
Installing a custom concrete backsplash requires careful planning, form building, pouring, curing, and finishing. But the end result can be a stunning focal pointunique as the kitchen itself.
Concrete allows endless opportunities for colors, textures, and designs. With some skills and effort, a DIY concrete backsplash can give your kitchen an artisan, high-end look for a reasonable price. Just be sure to seal properly!
What unique ways might you utilize concrete in your home decor projects? With the right know-how, concrete can be formed into countertops, furniture, wall accents, and more. Let your imagination run wild!