Beginner DIY - making a tiled coffee table

[katep1]

Hello! I am working off the Bunnings DIY project 'How to create a tiled table' and I was just hoping to ask a couple of questions.

• If I want to increase the size of the table (so it's more of a wide, low coffee table), should I add some kind of bracing, to help the wood cope with the weight of the tiles?
• Should the plywood primer be something that helps stop any moisture from the tile adhesive sinking into the wood (and causing warping/rotting)?
• And finally, if I wanted to add low legs (maybe something like this) do I need to consider a thicker wood to begin with? (At the moment the plywood is 12mm deep).

Hopefully that makes sense, any advice is appreciated, I'm a DIY beginner!

Thanks, 
Kate

[JacobZ]

Hi Kate (@katep1),

A warm welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community and thank you for your question.

If you are looking to increase the size of the table, I'd suggest incorporating a basic frame made from 70 x 35mm Framing MGP10 Untreated Pine. This will add significant strength to the table by taking the responsibility of lead-bearing away from the plywood. If you can give me some dimensions for the table, I'd be happy to knock up a basic design for you to work off of. Keep in mind that the tiled table in How To Create A Tiled Table was created based on the size of the mosaic tile sheets, so any changes in size will require some tile cutting.

The primer will help protect the timber from any moisture, but the amount of moisture transfer from the tile adhesive will be minimal and will certainly not be enough to cause warping or rotting.

With a basic frame, the Adoored 100mm Pine Square Furniture Leg can be attached to the framing timber with a 3/8" T Nuts.

Once you've provided some dimensions, I will be happy to work with you to create your tiled coffee table.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

Jacob