Concrete Countertop Forms – 3.5″ Flat Square Commercial Bar Z-Form

Concrete Countertop Forms – 3.5″ Flat Square Commercial Bar

• Cast-in-Place Concrete Countertop Forms, Z-Counterforms.
• Profile Design: Commercial Bar- Large Square Edge.
• Creates a thicker 3 1/2″ height edge to the in-place concrete countertop.
• This Commercial Bar form has a larger drop-down front edge than the standard Cast-in-Place Countertop Forms, to accommodate up to 3/4″ thick plywood base substrate (usually needed for the added weight of the thicker tops).
• Each box includes 8x 90″ Long Countertop Forms (60 lineal feet).
• Please note- This Commercial Bar package does not come with the Back-Wall pieces that the other Countertop Forms come with. The Commercial Bar forms are usually used to create a bar or island, so all sides of the concrete countertop are visible.
• Easy to set up and use, for both professional and DIY.
• Ships via UPS only due to box size.
• Concrete yield- when using a 60lb bag of concrete mix, it will fill about 2.4 sq. ft. of area formed up with these commercial bar forms.

Concrete Countertop Forms – 3.5″ Flat Square Commercial Bar Use:

• These Concrete Countertop Forms – 3.5″ Flat Square Commercial Bar are designed to be attached to the cement board, which is screwed onto the top of the cabinets. The Countertop Forms are simply snapped off when the concrete is cured, leaving behind the decorative edge countertop surface.
• Please watch the videos in the image gallery for a quick demonstration how to use the Forms:
• Step 1: Attach 3/4″ plywood to the top of the cabinetry. 1/2″ cement board can be used, but the Commercial Bar forms are designed to overhang 3/4″ plywood which should be used to support the extra weight of the thicker countertop.
• Step 2: Cut the Countertop Forms with a miter saw, and screw in place onto cement board. Use plenty of screws to ensure the Forms stay in place and can’t move when you snap off the form later (once the concrete is cured). Tape the outside of each joint with duct tape to ensure a water tight, and tight joint.
• Step 3: OPTIONAL- Create a hole for a sink, stove drop-in, etc. if needed.
• For an under-mount style sink, cut a hole in the cement board to fit the sink into, use the Cast-in-Place Sink Form (sold here) to attach to the sink itself, and place the sink into the cement board.
• For a drop-in style sinks or cook top stove drop ins, Styrofoam can also be used to create any large knockouts needed.
• Step 4: Silicone all areas of the form where water could leak out. This includes along the inside edge where the Forms are screwed to the cement board, along the back wall, across joints in the cement board, and around any sink knockouts.
• Step 5: Fill form with concrete. Pack the concrete into the Edge Form to remove any large air pockets, and vibrate the Edge Form with a palm sander or other vibration source. Poor vibration will result in a large number of voids in the concrete edge- ranging from small pinholes to larger pea sized holes. Sometimes this look is sought after, but if it’s not, make sure to vibrate well.
• A long enough trowel is the key to a flat countertop. We recommend a 16″ Magnesium Float (sold here) and a 36″ Darby Float (sold here). A 16″ Steel Trowel (sold here) is good to finish the concrete once it sets up for a smooth finish.
• Step 6: Allow concrete to cure (usually a few days). Remove and tape from the joints. Sand off any excess concrete from the top corners (where concrete meets the Countertop Forms) with a Diamond Sanding Foam Pad (sold here) or a Flexible Diamond Sanding Strip (sold here).
• Step 7: Remove Countertop Forms by simply pulling them away from the concrete, which will snap the Edge Form off, leaving the concrete countertop.
• Steps 8,9,10… Concrete can be stained/colored (stains/colors sold here) if desired. Concrete Countertop Sealers can be applied once the concrete is dry (sealers sold here).

Concrete Countertop Forms FAQ:

Q. What are the Z-Counterforms made of?
A. Z-Counterforms are made of a proprietary mix of P.V.C.

Q. Will the Z-Counterforms warp from the concrete?
A. No, forms are approximately 3mm thick to ensure a stable form even after the concrete is poured.

Q. How do I make corners?
A. Corners are simply mitered with an ordinary miter box. Any angle can be easily achieved.

Q. Does concrete adhere to the Z-Counterform?
A. No, concrete will not adhere to the inside of the Z-Counterform. The forms are polished to a gloss finish so the concrete edge will mirror the form when it is snapped off.

Q. Are Concrete Countertop Forms – 3.5″ Flat Square Commercial Bar re-useable?
A. No, because the tab under the concrete top stays in place when you snap off the Z-Counterform.