How to Lay Tile on a Table Top

Use your tape measure to determine the size of the table, both width and length. Lay out several tiles on the floor, using tile spacers in between the tiles to determine the actual size of the finished installation. If you are going for a no-joint installation, you can place the tiles adjacent to one another. The idea is to center the installation on the table so that you will have equal sized cuts around the exterior.

Use a tape measure and pencil to mark any cuts to the tiles. Use the tile wet saw to make the cuts. Use a towel to dry the back of each tile. If you are cutting tiles a day or so in advance of the actually installation this is not as important, but if you are cutting and then immediately installing the tiles the backs must be completely dry before being installed into the thinset mortar.

Dry-lay the tiles onto the surface of the table to double-check the size of your cuts. In addition, if you are setting tile onto a table where the tile installation will be recessed into the actual surface, this is a perfect way to check the thickness of the tile against the size of the recession.

Spread an even layer of thinset using your notched trowel. Be sure to apply thinset to 100 percent of the surface area, paying special attention to the corners to ensure complete coverage. But, begin by spreading only enough thinset for a few tiles at a time, until you are comfortable with your installing speed.

Place the tiles onto the thinset mortar. Apply firm but gentle pressure as you press the tile into the thinset mortar, moving it slightly in all directions to ensure complete bond with the mortar. Repeat this process with every piece of tile, using tile spacers between the tiles if necessary.