How to Make an Outdoor Tabletop With Tile on it

Tiling a tabletop is an excellent beginner's project. All the steps for making your table are the same as in tiling a floor, but on a much smaller scale. A tiled table is durable enough for outdoors, and the wide variety of tiles available lets you match your table to your decor. Purely decorative tables can use softer, more easily cracked tiles, but tables intended for heavy use require stronger tiles. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Lay the tiles on the tabletop with spaces for tile spacers between them. If the table doesn't hold a full row of tiles, center the tiles so there are partial tiles on both sides of the table. Mark the edges of the outside tiles on the table with a pencil.

2

Snap chalk lines between the marks, creating a grid to guide you as you lay the tiles.

3

Measure, mark and cut bullnose tiles for the edges with a snap cutter, if necessary. Bullnose tiles have finished sides that can be exposed, such as on the edge of the tabletop.

4

Spread thin-set mortar on a section of the table, staying within a set of chalk lines. Comb the mortar with the edge of a notched trowel.

5

Place the tiles on the mortar, using the chalk lines as a guide. Place tile spacers between the tiles to create room for even grout lines. Continue spreading mortar and laying tiles in sections until the entire table is covered. Let the thin-set dry overnight.

6

Remove the tile spacers. Spread grout over the tiles and into the spaces in between with a grout float. Scrape the excess grout off the tile tabletop with the edge of the grout float.

7

Press the corner of a wet sponge over the grout lines to create an even depth. Wipe the tiles with a wet sponge to remove the grout residue twice. Let the grout dry overnight.