Tweet
I'm planning a wall of potted plants on shelves in my house and I think it would look really cool if the pots were sitting on stone shelves rather than wood. I'm considering the possibility of actual stone, although I would prefer a rough flagstone like look to a clean, sheer granite "countertop" piece, but I also thought I might be able to make my own by pouring concrete with some dye. I already have brown dye left over from stuccoing my oven and I can think of several advantages. For one thing, I would have to cut a piece of stone to the right shape. It needs a flat, straight back edge along the wall and a natural rough mis-shapen edge on the front. Rather than saw through a piece of flagstone, I could just make the mold that shape. Also, instead of drilling into stone or granite to attach bolts to braces, I could just insert wooden plugs during the pour, pop them out afterwards, and then bolt through the holes to attach the slab to the brace.
I'm not really sure about all of this though. Should I put some mesh or a few smallest-gauge rebar inside the pour? I'm a little worried that a heavy plant in the middle of a shelf might break the shelf. Would a poured concrete slab of a given volume weigh more or less than a corresponding chunk of stone. I'm a little worried about the stress these shelves with pots will put on the wall (obviously, I'll hit the studs!).
I'm also curious about any other thoughts on how to do this, namely, how to mold the exterior edge so it looks like rough-cut stone instead of the inside of a 2x4, and likewise any other thoughts on achieving a stone-like appearance and the necessary strength.
What do you think?
Thanks.
I'm not really sure about all of this though. Should I put some mesh or a few smallest-gauge rebar inside the pour? I'm a little worried that a heavy plant in the middle of a shelf might break the shelf. Would a poured concrete slab of a given volume weigh more or less than a corresponding chunk of stone. I'm a little worried about the stress these shelves with pots will put on the wall (obviously, I'll hit the studs!).
I'm also curious about any other thoughts on how to do this, namely, how to mold the exterior edge so it looks like rough-cut stone instead of the inside of a 2x4, and likewise any other thoughts on achieving a stone-like appearance and the necessary strength.
What do you think?
Thanks.
Comment