I’m wanting to make a tile topped square kitchen table using an oak frame/apron/legs and porcelain tiles. I’m not finding very many (ok – no) plans for a tile topped table this size. Most are for small sofa tables or end tables.
Q1 – What is the best backer – 3/4 plywood, tile “hardibacker”, MDF? If ply, what grade? My plan was “appleply”.
Q2 – what should the backer be sealed with (excluding hardibacker) – One forum referred to the mastic not sticking to an oil finish. My plan was to coat both sides of the plywood backer with oil polyurethane and then scuff the finish.
Q3 – if the tile field is approx 42×42 inches, would a 2 additional cross supports be sufficient to prevent sag?
Q4 – I assume the oak should be finished before grouting the tile. Correct?
Thoughts on such a project?
Mark A.
Replies
You're gonna have one HEAVY table! I'd use 3/4 ply as the substrate -- no need for cement board backer since I assume you won't be walking on it. Use B/C ply -- the coarser, the better, for the thinset to grab on to. Don't finish it at all prior to applying the thinset & tile. (Think floor, not furniture, with respect to the tile portion of this project.) As for intermediate support, two should do it, but that really depends on what you will be using the table for, what weight it will be expected to carry and how rigid your frame will be. Use a latex admixture instead of water to mix the grout. The main problem you will have is that tile needs a stabile base, or the grout will crack. Working on your side is the fact that the table is small (compared to a floor) -- working against you is that you'll likely move the table from time to time, creating the possibility that the heavy top will flex or twist while being moved, cracking the grout.
I would probably finish the surrounding wood first and carefully mask it off to grout.
Mike Hennessy
Pittsburgh, PA
Good to buy the tile before you size the top.
John
Hi Mark ,
The majority of tile countertops I have been involved with use 3/4" plywood , with cement board or Hardy board backer on top of the ply . Imo Apple ply is overkill , use it you have some it won't hurt anything . A solid grade of Fir ply is most common here out West .You could seal the ply if you want , the cement board gets screwed down so no worry on the sealed ply .The other most common method used they use mud on top of tar paper over the plywood then they set the tile .
The edge of any wood needs to be finished or at least sealed well before the tile .
good luck dusty
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