40 replies to this topic

[Hammered]

I'm sick of my glass topped deck table breaking every couple of years so this weekend I set out to build a new table out of concrete and tile. If you like this kind of stuff, you can follow along with my progress on my Blog. Feel free to post comments there or here, and I'll reply as appropriate.

Cheers!

[TomasK]

Hey Steve, great project. FYI, a reciprocating saw sans blade makes a great vibrator for small projects like this...a little more aggressive than a sander.

[Hammered]

Hey Steve, great project. FYI, a reciprocating saw sans blade makes a great vibrator for small projects like this...a little more aggressive than a sander.

Great tip! I'm like a sponge for comments like this.

[Purple Grin Winery]

Very cool, Steve. Something similar on my list.....the glass costs more than a new table. I envision a granite tiled top to match the kitchen & BBQ.

But might I say, sir: those are some fine looking legs!

[Hammered]

So far, I've got about $35 dollars in costs for the legs. I was telling my wife that I could probably get the whole thing built for less than $100 including gas piping and valves; then she blurted out "Right -- you haven't seen the tile I'm going to pick out for the top!" There goes that theory...

[il zingaro]

Hi Steve, that is a great project, great work. You are a true inspiration, keep up the good work. I am looking forward to seeing the finished product, I am certain it will look amazing same as all the other work you do.

[il zingaro]

Hi Steve, I was just wondering, have you considered puttting your logo or something decorative in the center of the table, made up of broken glass of differrent colors to create your masterpiece ( like a terrazzo floor composed of different pebbles). Just a thought. Have a good day.

[Hammered]

Hi Steve, I was just wondering, have you considered puttting your logo or something decorative in the center of the table, made up of broken glass of differrent colors to create your masterpiece ( like a terrazzo floor composed of different pebbles). Just a thought. Have a good day.

The plan is to build an integrated "trough" down the center of the table and then lay a steel gas log lighter in the trough, and fill it with washed gravel to disperse the flames. Then I'll lay some tiles over the trough for when the fire won't be used and to have a flat table top. The rest of the table will be tiled -- probably with marble tiles and around the edge, I plan on a mosaic border -- I'm thinking something like a Greek Key. So you're not too far off when you talk about some sort of decoration on the top.

[jerzy_s]

So far, I've got about $35 dollars in costs for the legs. I was telling my wife that I could probably get the whole thing built for less than $100 including gas piping and valves; then she blurted out "Right -- you haven't seen the tile I'm going to pick out for the top!" There goes that theory...

Why tile the top ? concrete is beautiful by itself. You can stain it, you can polish it, you can paint it, you can cover it with "harder then steel" epoxy... If you want tile look - you can just cut a tile grid reveal into it and grout the cuts for terracotta like look.... .

[TomasK]

I'm a little worried that the concrete and cement based grout might spall and pop if they get too hot, sending fragments flying. Concrete and natural limestone, along with some other porous stones that absorb water, tend to do this if they get hot enough. Hopefully the gravel will disperse the heat and/or insulate the concrete. Keeping the top dry would probably help. Just something to think about and watch out for, Steve.

[Hammered]

I don't think I'm worried about heat causing anything like that. We've been installing tile on fireplaces, wood stove hearths/platforms and other places where they heat and cool without any issues like you're talking about. The biggest concern I would have would be more if the grout cracks (pretty unlikely with them set in thinset on a concrete slab like this) and moisture gets under the tile then freezes, it could certainly pop the tiles off. But as you suggest, a cover of some sort for the winter would probably not be a bad idea.

[TomasK]

I'm sure you're right...I was thinking primarily of fire pits where the heating is pretty intense and there's a lot of heat stress and expansion.

[Hammered]

Right, no glass melting fires going on in this thing. It's just to make it possible to linger for a while longer to enjoy the summer evenings after sunset sipping a glass (or three) with family and friends.

[Chef Neil]

hi-
I found a 1/2 barrel with a gas fire pit in the center- that would be cool- to have a tile table around it- not only the heat and fun of a fire- but quick appetizers made to order and desserts...

[Hammered]

hi-
I found a 1/2 barrel with a gas fire pit in the center- that would be cool- to have a tile table around it- not only the heat and fun of a fire- but quick appetizers made to order and desserts...

My daughter's immediate reaction was "Smores!!!"