Here’s how to create a custom wrought iron table with an individually designed mosaic top, perfect for a Mediterranean-inspired dining room or patio.
Base
To create your individual and custom wrought iron table, you will first need a base. Some retailers offer the option of purchasing just the wrought iron frame or base without the tabletop. Try to contact a company that actually makes wrought iron furniture or offers custom furniture, as they are more likely to be able to customize your order. Many wrought iron tables have glass tops that are not good for personalization.
You can create your own top to customize it, but securing it could be difficult. The best solution is to find a retailer of steel tables with a similar design or appearance to wrought iron. This is because; These will have veneer table tops that are perfect for putting your own individual stamp on. In addition, they are strong, resistant and durable. You can also purchase a concrete backing board from a local DIY store. It is inexpensive and can be cut and broken to size by scoring with a Stanley knife.
Slabs
To create your design for the wrought iron table that will have tiles, these can be clay, limestone, glass, shell or mirrors. The choice is yours. Cutting tiles can be expensive and the selection can be limited. You can make your own by breaking up standard size tiles inside a towel for a more casual table setting. Or use a knife and tile cutter to create even shapes. Non-uniform squares will make the mosaic much more visually interesting than uniform squares. You could even make your own clay tiles.
Other supplies you will need
You will need tile adhesive to bond the tiles and tile grout; that you can buy in many different colors. Lighter colors can look dazzling but are more difficult to clean. If you go for a dark color, make sure the tiles appear against it.
It’s a good idea to add a frame for the tiles to sit inside. Including a border will not only visually frame your design, but it will give your wrought iron table a nice even edge. You can ask your table manufacturer to tailor this edge, which is the best. Alternatively, you can do this using 1-inch strips of wood that you nail or glue to the surface before you begin laying tiles. Then you will also need stain or paint to make the frame match the design of the table. Finally, you will need a sealer to protect the tiles and prevent the grout from staining.
Planning your layout
If you want to go for a particularly complex geometric design that incorporates motifs and symbols such as a traditional mosaic, you will need to plan your design first. From this you can determine the style, color and size of the tiles and how many you will need. Of course, you can buy a selection of tiles in colors and styles that appeal to you and let your creativity take over. It’s best to plan your design on life-size card stock first. The tiles must not touch each other; needs a minimum of 1/8 inch clearance all the way around.
Tile and grout
Make sure the surface of your wrought iron table is clean. Spread tile adhesive on a section of your table and start securing the tiles in place. Once the adhesive dries, it will be difficult to remove, so be careful not to use too much. Let this set for 24 hours.
If you are using porous tiles, such as rough stone, they need to be sealed to prevent staining before grouting. Apply a coat of sealer. Grout the table, smoothing it between the mosaic pieces and wiping the tiles with a cloth to remove excess as you go. Once the grout is dry, wipe the tiles with a dry cloth to remove any haze left by the grout.
After the grout has hardened, to protect against spills and stains, especially when using porous tiles like travertine, apply a coat of tile sealer to the wrought iron table top. If you are using the wrought iron table outdoors, give it 2 coats for added protection from the elements.