Product Details

• Actors: Fu-Tung Cheng
• Format: Color, Full Screen, NTSC
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Number of discs: 1
• DVD Release Date: January 17, 2005
• Run Time: 110 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0007PP4L8
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #64,650 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Mark Johansen, Managing Editor, Handy Magazine, February 16, 2005

I was very impressed with the information—the project was very easy and the results are better than I’d hoped.

About the Actor

Fu-Tung Cheng has become internationally known for his sophisticated, understated design and innovative use of concrete in the home. Cheng’s first book, "Concrete Countertops: Design, Forms, and Finishes for the New Kitchen and Bath" (Taunton Press, 2002), has become the authoritative, bestselling guide on how to build a concrete countertop from start to finish. Concrete Countertops tops remodeling lists nationwide and is the perfect companion to Cheng’s DVD title, "Concrete Countertops DIY" for making beautiful concrete countertops.

Cheng’s recently released second book, "Concrete at Home" (Taunton Press, 2005) vibrantly explores the full, imaginative potential of interior concrete applications. Chapter topics include fireplaces, water features, walls as monoliths, and homes made entirely out of concrete. "Concrete at Home" is already topping Home & Garden and Remodeling categories at major nationwide bookstores.

While not an architect himself, Cheng heads a firm offering services in residential renovations and innovative, contemporary kitchen and bath design. From architectural design to construction, Cheng’s custom home projects have been his most spectacular challenges, earning him numerous awards and media accolades over the years. These full-scale design and architectural projects have given him complete creative license to experiment with his signature medium—concrete.

Cheng directs a team of architects, designers and craftsmen that create a range of projects—from kitchens, baths, and complete custom homes to concrete water features, sculptural countertops, and custom hoods. Additionally, Cheng is known for his down-to-earth style and approachable manner making him a sought-after speaker at industry tradeshows and events nationwide.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars countertops aren't that hard with right info, June 21, 2005

By	chris (Maine) - See all my reviews

At http://www.graniterock.com/grtheater.html there is a free quicktime video by same person describing basic methods of building pre-formed concrete counter tops. FMI check out buddyrhodes.com (competitor) and "the concrete exchange" run by same author to sell his products

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I am sure I would have messed mine up without repeated viewings , May 25, 2006

By	Taylor Bryant (Salt Lake City, UT USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Labeling this DVD an infomercial overstates the case. There are maybe three parts of the video where he (Fu-Tung Cheng) is hawking his products. They are super easy to blip past. Thankfully, so are a few of his jokes.

The real issue becomes, if you choose not to use his products, then it leaves you no information on measuring out fibers, coloring agents and water reducers. ("Concrete Countertops," his book, is good stuff and I recommend getting it first, this DVD does *not* replace the book. The book predates the his product line, so it has the aforementioned measuring information, and making your own faucet knockouts, etc.)

That said, here is why the video is worth it.

It is useful to see the how the process as described in the book (above) has been refined, i.e. putting packing tape over the form screws (instead of modeling clay in the screw heads). Or, that they use a cordless vibrator that is maneuverable/gentle enough to use in the form (in the book, they talk about how dangerous they can be and only use them clamped to the table - Now he's got a Makita cordless job). And they spread the decorative aggregates on the form surface now, affixed with Super 77 (instead of adding a boatload to the mix like it was gravel), which makes much more sense to me...

A moving picture is worth a million billion words (for me). I would review the scenes before I did each section. I am sure this saved my [...], as I am prone to skimming over some crucial passage. Like when he stops cold and says - "I have been using 1 5/8s screws, but you must use 1 1/4 here or you will break right through your form walls"

A am a bit biased, I got a "free" pound of Neomix when I bought the DVD off of Cheng's site ("free" with shipping, that is); so I felt I did all right. (Psst. Hey kid, the first one's free... Just trying to get me hooked, I suppose.)

An interesting extra is I found 80lb bags of 5000 psi concrete (not quickcrete brand) at my Home Depot with fibers and reducers already mixed in. That pretty much leaves color...

Minuses: Extras? pah. Would be nice if they showed how to build a curved form or something. Also, sometimes They Show Him Putting In Every Screw. A bit more agressive editing couldn't hurt. Nothing significant enough to dock stars.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Covers most of the basics but leaves a lot of questions, January 19, 2006

By	A. Walsh "Nawlins Transplant" (New Orleans) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The DVD gives you the gist of how to make a counter top, but doesn't teach you how to install it or how to conceal seams that the cast in place leaves. Also, half the video is Fu-Tung pushing his products rather than teaching what the DVD advertises: building counter tops. I feel let down by the DVD because I did some counter tops withou any training and expected this DVD to answer some of my questions, but it turned out to be a uninformative sales pitch. This is a more scathing review than the DVD deserves. For someone with no clue what they're doing this is a good jumping off point.