Concrete Molds: Buy or DIY?

“Today’s Homeowner” host Chelsea Lipford Wolf mixes concrete on a table — Every concrete creation starts with a form. Before you begin a project, think carefully about the necessary materials.

Concrete creations enhance and add function to any indoor or outdoor living space. You don’t have to spend a bundle to enjoy its beauty, character and texture — you can tackle many do-it-yourself projects on a tight budget.

There’s nothing like the satisfaction of knowing you worked hard, did it well, and made something pretty from your own two hands, but any concrete project is only as good as its mold. So first, you have to decide whether to buy or DIY the concrete form.

And this guide will help you decide!

Making concrete pathway with Quikrete WalkMaker — *Any do-it-yourselfer can create a concrete path with Quikrete Walkmaker.*

Concrete Walkway

My husband and I work hard to make our lawn look good, and we want it to stay that way! If you want to keep guests off your grass, stepping stones signal a clear path. (So, no excuses.)

You can easily create concrete stepping stones — or just make a continuous walkway — with Quikrete Walkmaker and several bags of concrete mix. Walkmaker’s concrete molds are available in a variety of brick or stone patterns sure to match any style of home!

Just mark the path, mix the concrete, and set the form! Then pour concrete mix into the form, lift the form and move on to the next stepping stone. Easy peasy!

Soon, you’ll have the custom look of brick or natural stone for the cost of poured concrete. (And who doesn’t love a good deal?)

Watch: Creating a Stepping Stone Path Using Concrete Forms

Inserting Quik-Tube into the ground before creating wood deck footings — *Decks require a strong foundation — and QUIK-TUBE makes setting one easy.*

Concrete Deck Footings

Creating an outdoor living space naturally leads to enjoying meals, lounging and even napping out in the open air! And the perfect stage for all these things is a beautiful wood deck.

Building a deck starts with setting a strong foundation — one that can support deck materials and people using the deck. And when you need to tackle a project that’s built to last, there’s no substitute for concrete footings.

QUIK-TUBE ridged-fiber building forms remove the need to build wooden forms. Just dig the holes for footings, cut the forms to size and place them in the holes. Then pour 6 inches of gravel into each form, compact it, and pour in the concrete mix.

This is just an overview, but once you’ve mastered the basics, you can apply these same skills to make columns and mailbox bases!

Read: How to Build Deck Footings

Make Your Own Mold

Want a customized creation? Make your own concrete molds! For smaller projects, you may even have the materials on hand. Just be sure to use non-porous materials like plastic, silicone and melamine to get the best results.

Here are some examples of projects that will completely transform your space.

Man adds wire grid to reinforce the concrete in the form — *Melamine forms — reinforced with rebar; always — are your best bet for making a concrete countertop.*

Concrete Countertop: If you’re creating a concrete countertop, build the mold from melamine sheets — which prevent concrete from sticking — and seal the joints with silicone sealant.

Then, add rebar and reinforcement wire before applying a thin coat of shoe polish inside the form. This makes the concrete easier to release from the form.