Asked on Feb 01, 2018
Change tiles in kitchen table?
by
Connie Lacey
+2
Kitchen table has green tiles on top (wood surrounding edges). The table is nice and sturdy and could be repainted but can I dig the tiles out and replace? It isn't a traditional grout but more of a white silicone grouting between tiles.
You can definitely replace the tiles, especially if the table top under the tiles is a heavy wood. I would start in the middle of the table with a hammer, striking the tile until it (hopefully) comes loose (be sure you wear safety goggle when you do this job, you do not want tile chips to go into your eyes. You might also consider wearing a face mask. If it doesn't come loose hit it hard enough to break it, then pick the pieces of tile off of the table. Once you have one tile loose you may be able to pry the others off with a sturdy scraper (no plastic handle). Start by sliding the scraper as far under the next tile as you can, using your hammer on the end of the scraper handle (why you do not want to use plastic) to break it loose from the bond. Continue working until you have all of the tiles out. Then you clean the area with the scraper to get off as much mastic or whatever was holding the tiles in place. Once you have as much as you can scraped off, then sand the rest using coarse sandpaper if necessary. The area should then be ready for new tiles, or even a sheet of nice plywood cut to fit the area (or you could set a border of tiles around the plywood, or a strip of contrasting wood trim, or, or, or whatever your imagination goes. You will have to adjust the height and size of tiles as needed, or plywood if that is your choice. Once tiles are set and mortor dried (or glue if you glue them on, grout the tiles and you are done, except for sealing the grout. Ask your local store to give you further directions depending on how you are gooing to re-do the inset area.
Hmm. Have you considered painting it? Click on the links below for ideas. When you have q good sturdy table that you like and works for your area, it's hard to let it go. Good luck.
https://prettyprovidence.com/how-to-transform-an-old-tile-table-tutorial/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/238761217721651280/
https://www.southernrevivals.com/tile-top-table-makeover-updating-tile-top-table-wood-part-1/
Instead of digging out the tiles...I think I would just put a new piece of wood on top and finish it to your liking.
Perfect suggestion from Eleanor. I remember these tables were big back in the 70's. They came with white, blue, and green tile. Thinking back, they were ugly. Glad I never bought one.
Yes, if you can find replacement tiles the same size or ones that will geometrically fit the space. Im not convinced a cut -raw edged tile would look great.