Building a Wood Table With Ceramic Tile

Design the tile table top, using tiles placed on a flat surface or using graph paper to emulate tiles. Make an outdoor or family room table with large tiles (sometimes just a single big tile), living room or kitchen accessory tables with smaller individual tiles (or even broken tiles arranged in artistic patterns). Build a basic table to fit the design of the tile top. Buy and measure tiles first because even standard tile sizes vary slightly.

Make a table with four legs, four side boards and a base top of plywood. Vary this to the use and woodworking skill. Cut tapered legs and fasten elements with mortise and tenon or biscuit joints if you are skilled and have tools or use standard size boards fastened with hidden nails or screws for a simpler table. Cheat by buying legs that screw into brackets at a building supply store to simplify construction.

Cover the plywood base with cement backerboard for outdoor use. Prime it with glue thinned with water to mount tiles directly. Fasten tiles with mortar, tile mastic or construction adhesive, depending on the use. Use mortar on cement backerboard for patio or other outdoor use; mastic or other adhesive for more artistic arrangements for inside use

Set tiles firmly into place in the desired arrangement. Leave spaces between tiles for grout. Use plastic tile spacers to separate them in a formal arrangement. Freehand the spacing in an artistic or mosaic tile top. Hold them with concrete blocks, bricks, books or other heavy items to keep them securely into the bonding agent until it sets, usually overnight.

Grout tiles with a prepared mix, in any desired color. Spread grout over the tile surface with a grout sponge and press it firmly into the joints between tiles. Cover wooden edges with masking tape to prevent grout from discoloring wood. Wipe excess grout off the surface of the tiles with the sponge; rinse it clean repeatedly as you remove excess grout. Remove any remaining grout on the tile surfaces, after the seams have set, with a sponge.