Figure 3. The front edge is formed by a strip of wood as tall as the counter is thick. It's separate from the support shelf, so it can be removed when it's time to finish the edge.
Edges that don't butt to existing surfaces are formed by fastening strips of wood to the temporary shelf (Figure 3). Curved edges can be formed with 1/4-inch hardboard. Integral splashes are formed by suspending a board just off the back wall and parallel to it. The board is supported by temporary legs, which can be removed once there's some concrete under the bottom. edge.
Fixtures and appliances. Every opening through the counter is formed before the concrete is poured. It's not hard to form holes for faucets, but we need to know in advance what size they are and exactly where they go. Cook tops and drop-in sinks are simple to form because the edge of the opening is covered by a flange (Figure 4). Undermount sinks are trickier because the edge is visible and has to be finished. Undermount sinks are installed flush to the plywood top before we get to the job.
Figure 4. Openings for appliances and drop-in sinks are cut through the top in advance. The counter is then formed to the inside of the cutout.
