How To Make A Mosaic Tile Table

How To Make A Mosaic Tile Table

An easy, step-by-step guide to creating an artistic mosaic tile top table.
Before you pull out your wallet to purchase that expensive mosaic tile top table from your local art gallery, think about making your own instead. It's not as difficult as you might think! Simply follow these 6 easy steps.

1. Gather your materials and tools.
Here's what you'll need: table base, plywood, tiles, non-sanded grout, drill, nuts and bolts, sponge, wood trim, finishing nails, putty knife, level, tile adhesive, silicone grout sealer, hammer, towel, water, imagination.

2. Prepare your table base.
Once you find your table base you need to prepare it for your mosaic tile top. Fasten a piece of plywood, cut to size, to the table top using nuts and bolts. (I find it easy to attach the plywood to a wrought iron patio table that already has a grated top. This way you only have to drill trough the plywood and not through the top of your table base.)

3. Make a "Lip" for your table top.
Attach wood trim, cut to size, around the perimeter of your table top with finishing nails. (If your table is round, you may have to soak the wood in water or choose a different material to make it more pliable.) Make sure to leave enough space between the top of the plywood and the top of the trim to provide for the depth of your tiles. Remember, the purpose of the lip is to make sure you have a barrier for the grout.

4. Prepare your tiles.
The number of tiles you get will depend on the area of your table top. Buy enough so that you could completely cover the plywood if you wanted to. Place each tile in a towel and lightly hammer until the tiles break. Then place the pieces onto the plywood in your desired pattern. Once you have all of your tiles in your design, use the tile adhesive and putty knife to glue the tile to the plywood. Let this dry for 24 hours before moving on to the next step.

5. Grout and finish.
Use unsanded grout if you have left spaces wider than a few centimeters between your tiles. Pick a grout color that complements your tile and table and then follow the directions on the bag when mixing. Apply the grout to the table top, working it between the tiles and up to the lip barrier with the rubber level. Remove any excess grout from the tiles with a damp sponge. (Don't worry if a slight film remains on your tile, let it dry slightly, then buff it off with a towel.). Let this dry for at least a week before finishing up by applying a layer of silicone grout sealer.

6. Enjoy your new work of art!