Updating a Table with Granite Tile

So you've renovated your kitchen. You replaced your counter tops, installed new kitchen cabinets, upgraded your hardware, and installed a new sink and faucet. The task of completely renovating your old kitchen is nearly complete. But what are you going to do with that old, outdated kitchen table? The table is structurally sound and in fine shape, but it just doesn't fit your decor anymore. You paid far too much money for it new to just pitch it in the garbage. Replacing it with a new table could cost a thousand dollars or more. What are your options?

Well if your handy around the house and would like to completely transform that outdated table into something fitting of the new decor, you may just want to consider granite tiles. Granite tiles for a kitchen table may seem like a far fetched idea, but the task is simple, budget friendly, and a great method for reusing that old table.

Granite tiles can be purchased at your local home improvement store for as little as $3 a square foot. A typical 4 foot by 4 foot kitchen table requires only 16 square feet of tile. Once you add in extras such as mortar, grout, and molding, you entire table refinishing project will cost less than $200. Try to purchase a quality kitchen table for that price and you will see just what a bargain it is to use granite tile on your outdated kitchen table.

The process is really quite easy. I recommend that you only attempt this project on a square or rectangle table. A circular or oval table is far more complicated and may be too difficult for most home owners. This project is so simple that a tile saw is not even required.

To begin, measure your table. Most tables will be 4 x3 or 4 x 4 or 5 x 4 or some other similar measurement. The key is that nearly all tables follow this layout where each measurement falls at exactly the foot mark with no inches. Granite tiles come exactly one foot by one foot. Now you can clearly see why no cutting is necessary.

Once you've measured you table, head to your local home improvement store and select your granite tile. Granite tile comes in numerous shade and variations. You are sure to find something that fits both your budget and decor. Purchase your tiles in the exact quantity needed for the task. Purchase a matching non-sanded grout and mortar designed for floor tile.

With materials in hand, checkout and head back home. Mix up the mortar, set the tile directly on the tabletop according to directions on the mortar bag, make sure you butt each tile together leaving no gap and allow to dry overnight. Grout the next day, remove any grout haze and allow to dry overnight. Now the tiling is complete.

What will you do with that unsightly edge around the table? Simply measure the height of the tabletop and granite tile and head on back to the home improvement store. Purchase polyurethane adhesive and a door molding that is wider than your measurement. The molding can be hardwood such as oak, it can be primed pine, or anything else you desire. If you choose hardwood molding, purchase polyurethane to seal it, if you go with primed molding, choose a paint color that will compliment your tabletop.

Return home and cut your molding to length to wrap around the outside edge of your table. Remember, each corner will need a 45 degree miter cut. Once cut to length, apply the adhesive to the molding and firmly hold in place. Use tape or clamps to secure the molding while the adhesive cures. Once cured, remove the tape and clamps and apply a finish to the molding.

Your tabletop is now complete. Sit back and enjoy your new table. Granite is virtually impervious to stains, will not be affected by heat, and is easy to clean. The new table top will provide decades and perhaps centuries of additional service and you did it yourself. Best of all, this budget friendly renovation did not break the bank and reused old material keeping it out of the trash heap for many more years.