DIY Concrete house

While this Tiny House isnt quite livable, it makes a great garden decoration or simply a conversation piece
to put on a coffee table. Even if youve never worked with concrete before, this project is easy and fun. In
about 2 hours, you can create a unique piece that will be at home in your garden or living room. Once you
become familiar with creating molds and working with concrete, the options are endless!

What youll need:

Utility Knife
Gloves

Dusk Mask

Marker

Cardboard

Ruler

Any Kind of Thick Tape

1 bag of Fast-Setting Concrete

Caution:

Bucket

Pointed
Trowel

Water
Fine Grit Sanding Block

Wet concrete can cause burns when in contact with bare skin. Please wear gloves when mixing and pouring
concrete. Dust from concrete is also hazardous. Wear a dusk mask when mixing concrete and work in wellventilated area. Do not worry, concrete is safe to work with when these precautions are taken!

Phase 1 - Creating form pieces:

1.1. Using the ruler and marker, draw the templates onto the cardboard (see design guide below for
dimensions.) Hint: To determine the point at the top of the roof, measure 4.5 (center of the shape) and
draw a long vertical line. Take the ruler and set the zero at the top of the side walls, mark the point where
the 6 intersects with the vertical line. That point will be the tip of your roof.
1.2. Cut the pieces out with a utility knife.
1.3. Label each piece with its dimensions to help with assembly in the next step.
`

2 Pieces

4 Pieces

2 Pieces

1 Piece

Phase 2 - Creating the form:

2.1. Using tape, join the front and back of the house using the 6 in X 6 in pieces to connect the roof and
sides.
2.2. Use the 2 in X 6 in piece to connect the tops of the door.
2.3. Use the 4 in X 6 in pieces to connect the insides of the door.
2.4. Use tape to create completely sealed edges, to ensure no concrete leaks out.

2.1

2.1

2.2 and 2.3

Phase 3 Mixing the concrete:

3.1. Go into a well-ventilated area (outdoors or a large garage.)
3.2. Put on gloves and dust mask.
3.3. Using the trowel or your hands, pour 25 lbs of dry concrete into a 5 gallon bucket. If your bucket is
smaller, thats okay! You will just have to mix a few batches as you go on.
3.4. Add water a bit at a time while mixing. Stop adding water once the concrete is fully saturated and fluid,
but not overly runny.
3.5. Thoroughly stir the wet concrete to create a uniform mix. Make sure to saturate all the mix (no dry
parts anywhere.)

3.3

3.4

Phase 4 Pouring concrete into form:

4.1.
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
4.5.

Prop the house form upside down. (Setting it between large blocks of wood is best.)
Pour the wet concrete into the mold using the trowel.
Use the trowel to push concrete into all the corners, ensure no airspace is left in the form.
Fill the form all the way to the top (technically, the bottom of the house) and smooth with the trowel.
Leave the form to dry for at least 1 hour.

4.1

4.2

Phase 5 Finishing the house:

5.1. Once the house has dried for at least 1 hour, peel off the cardboard. (It should come off very easily)
5.2. Sand the house to smooth all sides until desired texture. Be careful at edges and corners, as they are
the most delicate.
5.3. Let the house dry overnight before any finishes are applied.
5.4. If a shiny, glassy finish is desired use a spray-on clear sealer. You may also use acrylic paint to
customize your tiny home.

5.1

5.2

Congrats!
Whether youre a concrete beginner or expert, this is a great project with many uses. From bookend to
conversation piece, doorstop to garden decoration, this tiny house will be a fun addition to any area. We hope
this manual was helpful and comprehensive. Thanks!