Hi all. Am looking to validate my approach for two small countertops we're looking to build. We have two resin wicker grill carts flanking each side of our grill island. Unfortunately, these are wicker topped and the manufacturer put a glass top over the wicker. a. Not a fan of the glass top in the pool area and b. the glass has magnified the sun which has caused the resin wicker to break apart. Sooo, as we have a Mexican themed pool area, my wife and I decided we should build talavera tile countertops as an overlay on the existing frame.
These will be 4" square tiles and we have V shaped edge pieces and end corner caps to create the overhang. All in, each top will be 20" square, so not very big at all. Here is my plan.
1. Cut the base material to just under 20" square. I was originally planning to use 1/2" PT plywood with cement board over it, but given how small these tops are, do I even need the plywood if I used a 3/4" cement board?
2. Thinset the cement board and set all the tiles.
3. Grout the tiles. Do I need an exterior grade grout? (These will not remain outside in the off-season, but will be stored in our basement).
4. Seal the entire surface (tops and sides), primarily for the grout.
5. Potentially secure the top to the frame of the cart from the underside, but they may be heavy enough not to need this?? Once/when the carts expire their useful life, I hope to build new carts and re-use these new tops.
Any thoughts or advise is greatly appreciated!
These will be 4" square tiles and we have V shaped edge pieces and end corner caps to create the overhang. All in, each top will be 20" square, so not very big at all. Here is my plan.
1. Cut the base material to just under 20" square. I was originally planning to use 1/2" PT plywood with cement board over it, but given how small these tops are, do I even need the plywood if I used a 3/4" cement board?
2. Thinset the cement board and set all the tiles.
3. Grout the tiles. Do I need an exterior grade grout? (These will not remain outside in the off-season, but will be stored in our basement).
4. Seal the entire surface (tops and sides), primarily for the grout.
5. Potentially secure the top to the frame of the cart from the underside, but they may be heavy enough not to need this?? Once/when the carts expire their useful life, I hope to build new carts and re-use these new tops.
Any thoughts or advise is greatly appreciated!