DESIGN & CREATE: Mosaic Tile Table Top
Posted on Tue, Feb 14, 2012
Whether you chose to design a mosaic tabletop, backsplash or a game tabletop such I am doing at the present time, the "how to's" are very similar.
Deciding to repurpose items, this project begins with a simple cabinet door in order to make a mosaic game table. This shaker style door will provide a space of 19x19 inches for tile work. Having a checkerboard design, will allow us to use mostly 2x2 inch square tiles with a decorative border with no cutting at all. (Both checkers & chess need a total of 64 squares for the game.)
- First lay out your "design" next to you on the work table making sure you are pleased with your design.
- Next, prepare your tabletop by sanding down the wood & cleaning its surface. In this case, a cabinet door, the raised edge was previously sanded, cleaned then painted.
- Begin setting the tile in the center & working your way to the edges. Attach the pieces one at a time using tile adhesive (mastic) which may be pre-mixed and comes in a bucket. Or smaller projects, a mosaic glue can be used - which can be found at a local craft store.
- Butter the back of your tiles with a notched trowel.
- Press tiles on to your top making sure they are level with those around them leaving an even space between your tiles for your grout.
- Allow your project to dry completely; usually overnight.
- Using an unsanded grout, which is formulated for small grout lines or projects with glass tiles, mix to a peanut butter type consistency.
- Spread your grout onto your project using a grout float; scraping off the excess by holding the float at a 45 degree angle. Drag it across the surface of the tile while wiping several times with a sponge & clean water until the excess grout has been removed.
- Once completely cured, apply grout sealer. This protects the grout lines and your tile against stains and keeps the color consistent.
For the base of this project, broken tile mosaic was used.
- The base is built of scraps of wood.
- Using similar tiles, place tiles in a cloth on your workspace and cover.
- While wearing "safety glasses" - use a hammer and break tiles one at a time. Not so hard that you damage the glaze of the tile.
Working with your tiles like a puzzle, place them one by one as we did in the top to a design of your liking, breaking tiles along the way. (I have also added decorative round pieces of glass to the base.)- Repeat the instructions above to finish your project.
- Assemble your top to the base and begin enjoying your game table or whatever your project may be!
Tools & supplies for this project: Tile, safety glasses, grout, grout float, grout sealant, sponge, notched trowel, hammer, tape measure, cloth to wrap tiles, sand paper, cleaning supplies & access to water, wood, screws, to attach top to the base.
