Building an Outdoor Bar (with Concrete Block and QUIKWall)
An outdoor bar is a great focal point of any backyard patio and ideal for entertaining
throughout the year The bar can be a simple design or as elaborate
as you can imagine…. Even with a built-in refrigerator, a BBQ Grill, shelves and even
a sink… but either way, it can be customized to fit your specific needs.
The construction process is quick… and easy… for even the most novice do-it-yourselfer
The base is constructed using a simple drystack block process with an application of QUIKRETE
QUIKWall to give it a beautiful stucco finish. QUIKRETE QUIKWall is a special, fiberglass
reinforced stucco that is simply troweled over the surface of a dry-stack block wall…
QUIKWall can create beautiful stucco surfaces that are stronger and faster to build than
traditional block and mortar construction. The bar countertop is made of concrete using
QUIKRETE Countertop mix and melamine forms. Before you get started, make sure your base
slab is solid and level. If you need to build a pad for the outdoor
bar…High Strength…QUIKRETE 5000 is the recommended product for slab construction…because
of its high strength and rapid strength gain. To get started…it is important to stage
the first course of block and snap a chalk line on each side of the block wall as a reference
line to ensure that your corners are square and your base walls are straight. Also check
to make sure the base course is level. If the base slab is not level… remove the
blocks and lay a ½ inch bed of QUIKWall under each block on the slab…this will help keep
the first course level if there are imperfections or a slope in your concrete base…. For this
application, the QUIKWall mix should be workable but firm enough to support the weight of the
first course. Because there are no mortar joints in this
construction technique…your first course of block will determine if your base will
be level and square Now… set your bottom course…check your
alignment and level every 3 to 4 blocks… Once your first course is set….dry-stack
the remaining block in a running bond pattern to the desired height… all corners should
use an interlocking pattern. QUIKWall can be successfully mixed by hand
or machine…the size of your project will often determine which method you choose.
Hand mixing can be done in a mortar tub or wheelbarrow with a mixing hoe and is suited
for small projects. Always wear rubber gloves and safety glasses,
when working with cement-based materials. Each 50 pound bag of QUIKWall will require
about a gallon of water…additional water can be added in small amounts to achieve a
workable mix. Adding liquid cement color to standard white
or gray QUIKWall can add a decorative stucco finish.
One 10 oz. bottle of QUIKRETE Liquid Cement Color will color up to two pounds of 50 pound
QUIKWall…To achieve a consistent color throughout the mix, the Liquid Cement Color should be
blended into the mixing water, before adding it to the mix.
Using the same water-to-color ratio will help maintain color uniformity from batch to batch…this
is especially important when working on large areas.
The proper consistency is achieved when the wet QUIKWall will “hang” on a trowel held
at a 90’ angle. Before applying QUIKWall…thoroughly dampen
the block wall with water…dampening the block will make the mix easier to finish and
will help prevent inconsistent color and cracking…especially in hot temperatures.
Apply a consistent 1/8 to ¼ inch coat of QUIKWall to both sides of the block…use
a square finishing trowel held at a 45 degree angle….and work from the bottom of the wall
to the top. One 50 pound bag of QUIKWall will cover approximately
50 square feet at 1/8 inch thick…the coverage may vary based on the texture and thickness
of the QUIKWall application. After applying QUIKWall to the base…water
cure the entire surface with a fine water mist…this is especially important for color
consistency and to prevent surface cracking. Once your base is complete, confirm the measurements
for the concrete countertop. Concrete is a very durable…. But heavy building
material…so it is best to build the countertop in manageable sections. For example…a 2
foot by 3 foot countertop …2 inches thick will weigh about 145 lbs.
In addition, if your countertop sections are 4 feet in length or less…steel reinforcement
is not necessary. The best way to achieve a dense, smooth surface
for your concrete countertops is to use a precast method
In a precast process, the countertops are poured in forms constructed from ¾ inch melamine
– coated particleboard Cut 2 inch strips of melamine for the form
sides to create a 2 inch thick concrete countertop Drill pilot holes every 6 inches along the
length of the side forms and attach the side forms to the base using 2 ½ inch deck screws.
Use a carpenter’s square to make sure all corners are square.
Then run a thin bead of silicone caulk in all form seams and smooth with a fingertip.
This will give the countertop a smooth edge. Now the form is ready for the countertop mix.
Countertop Mix can be mixed using a standard drum mixer, or in a 5 gallon pail with a ½
inch drill mixer and mixer blade. QUIKRETE Countertop Mix is designed specifically
for countertops… the high density, high strength concrete mix can be removed from
the forms in just 18 hours and achieves over 6000 PSI in compressive in 28 days.
Another characteristic that makes Countertop mix unique is that it requires very little
mechanical vibration to consolidate and densify the mix…which minimizes voids and helps
provide a smooth surface. Countertop Mix is available in two base colors…Gray
and tint base white. Gray can be used for a natural gray concrete
color and to achieve darker colors with the addition of liquid or dry pigments.
Tint base white is designed to be used with pigments to achieve a lighter color range.
The concrete should be mixed for a minimum of 5 minutes until the desired consistency
is achieved. The mix is formulated to perform equally well in a plastic or flowable consistency…
To give the countertop an integral color…liquid cement color can be added to the mixing water
before it is added to the mixer After mixing…fill the form, making sure
the mix is consolidated into the corners of the form
Complete the pour in two equal “lifts” about 1 inch deep…work from the bottom..up…rather
than side to side. This will minimize any surface color variations.
If necessary, structural steel should be embedded after applying the first lift… Then continue
placing the mix… overfilling the form slightly. Then using a metal straight edge… screed
the surface in a sawing motion…you will want to do this in both directions several
times…screeding will level what will be the underside of the countertop.
After screeding….use a rubber mallet to vibrate the form to consolidate the mix and
remove air voids that would cause surface imperfections. Another option is to use a
vibrating palm sander. Once the finishing process is completed cover
the forms with plastic sheeting and allow to stand undisturbed for 18 hours.
After the forms are removed… flip the countertop and use fine sandpaper to smooth edges and
remove imperfections. Every countertop contains natural surface
variations that make each countertop truly unique, the countertop’s appearance can
be enhanced with surface treatments such as staining…and sealing.
QUIKRETE® Acrylic High Gloss Sealer – Wet Look is a water-based, high-gloss, clear acrylic
sealer designed to seal concrete surfaces from water…dirt…oils…and grease… and
to enhance the natural surface color. Wet-Look Sealer can be applied after the concrete has
cured…in about 28 days. To guarantee a proper seal, wipe down the
countertop surface, before applying the Wet Look Sealer. This is necessary to remove any
dirt or dust that may have adhered, during the 28 day curing process.
Once the surface has been cleared of any particulate matter, apply QUIKRETE Acrylic High Gloss
Sealer…the wet-look sealer can be applied with a roller... or a brush.