DIY table top: do it yourself
If you did not manage to choose a suitable countertop in the store, you can make it yourself.There are many models of all types and colors presented in furniture stores for countertops for tables. Unfortunately, many of them are beyond the means of most people. But this is not a problem, because the tabletop for the table can be completely made with your own hands..
Kitchen countertops and their types
Each tabletop comes in many shapes, sizes and configurations..
These products are obtained:
- glued,
- prefabricated.
For the same, to create a countertop, several methods are used:
- shields from wooden boards;
- prefabricated structures.
Cement-based worktop with tiled tiles is a very practical option for the kitchen
If we talk about the materials from which the products are made, then these are:
- veneer,
- wood,
- Chipboard,
- MDF.
The wooden kitchen countertop that makes up the table looks very nice, however it has several significant disadvantages:
- rapid deformation,
- fragility.
In addition to the wood base, countertops can also be made of tempered glass, natural or artificial stone, ceramics, stainless steel, etc..
The choice of material for the countertop (video)
Table top and its shapes
The table top comes in several forms:
- rectangular,
- round,
- oval,
- square.
Let’s consider each of them in detail..
Oval table
Oval countertops come in absolutely any size. If you have a compact kitchen, then the countertop can be small. Basically, they are made of medium size. For a small room, sliding structures are suitable.
A ceramic tile countertop needs a backing to which tile adhesive is applied The ceramic countertop can be laid out using various patterns and patterns
Round table
The main advantages of round tabletops include:
- looks great in a large kitchen,
- experiments with support are possible.
There are also disadvantages:
- round tabletops require a lot of space,
- it is difficult to do it with your own hands.
The round table can be easily transformed into an oval one
Rectangular and square table
Each rectangular countertop can be made sliding if required. In addition, this form is the easiest to manufacture. At least because it does not require high-quality rounding of corners..
Glass table
The glass tabletop is back in fashion now. For the table, tempered glass is usually selected, because it is very problematic to scratch it. A glass tabletop is usually made complete with graceful wooden legs..
Such a product fits most of all into styles such as:
- high tech,
- modern,
- minimalism.
Do-it-yourself concrete countertop (video)
Wood for countertops
A wooden tabletop, first of all, must be durable. If we talk about additional requirements, then the tree needs to be selected also durable.
The density of wood is of great importance for the manufacture of countertops..
Hard rocks for a novice master will be quite difficult to handle. Whereas soft rocks may have scratches on the surface.
By density, the wood is divided into:
- soft,
- solid,
- very hard.
The soft type of wood includes chestnut, linden, aspen, cedar, pine, juniper, willow, as well as spruce and fir.
Hard rocks include:
- Rowan,
- oak,
- larch,
- Apple tree,
- elm,
- beech,
- Birch.
Do-it-yourself wooden tabletop can be made in different ways Before getting on the table, the wood goes through several stages of processing
If we talk about the hardest rocks, then they include such as:
- dogwood,
- white acacia,
- yew,
- iron birch.
In order to make a tabletop for a table with your own hands, absolutely any type of wood can be suitable. Each type of wood has its own advantages and disadvantages..
For example, a walnut table, although heavy, almost never chips. An ideal option would be an oak wood worktop..
Its main advantages are undeniable:
- hardness,
- durability,
- strength,
- decay resistance,
- no deformation,
- easy to varnish.
Linden is most suitable for the manufacture of individual elements. It is durable and, most importantly, flexible. But, since insects are very fond of it, the tree will need to be carefully treated with stain.
Most often, tabletops for the table are made from such species as wenge, oak, pine and walnut. The purchased material must be dry, otherwise the wood will warp.
Do-it-yourself solid wood worktop will harmoniously fit into any kitchen interior
Also, the tabletop for the table can be made by hand from laminated chipboard and from materials such as MDF and plywood. With the help of melamine tape or special PVC, the ends of these materials are closed. They are significantly inferior in strength to solid wood. However, they have a rather low price and ease of processing, which attracts many craftsmen..
What exactly the countertop will be made of with your own hands depends on personal preferences and the allocated budget.
The main advantages of wood countertops
The main advantages of wooden kitchen countertops are:
- aesthetic appearance;
- the product is easy to process;
- resistance to water, sudden changes in temperature and sunlight;
- minimal scratching;
- easy to restore;
- safety for human health.
If we talk about the minuses, then with all the pluses described above, they are simply imperceptible.
Table and its dimensions
Experts note that the average table height is usually about 70 centimeters. For a family of several people, a meter by meter countertop is perfect. If guests often gather in your kitchen, then you should choose the dimensions 120 centimeters by 90 centimeters.
The optimal size of the kitchen countertop varies depending on the number of family members.
Tools and materials
In order to make a kitchen countertop with your own hands, you will need:
- hacksaw,
- jointer,
- sandpaper,
- dye,
- varnish,
- wooden planks,
- cutter,
- antiseptic,
- joiner’s glue,
- thickness gauge,
- clamps.
Making a wooden tabletop (video)
A table for the kitchen from the board. Manufacturing process
A furniture board is exactly what it will be easiest to make the necessary product from..
It will not be a problem to assemble a shield for the table with your own hands:
- Before starting assembly with your own hands, the tree must be thoroughly dried. After that, it is impregnated with a special antiseptic and left to dry..
- The boards need to be prepared for assembly. They need to be processed and grooves made at the ends using a jigsaw. Depending on the thickness of the boards, the depth of the grooves increases or decreases.
- Next, you need to assemble a shield with your own hands. To get it, you need to glue the boards together. After making the countertop for the kitchen table, it is polished.
- When the surface of the countertop after processing turns out to be even, it must be varnished..
DIY artificial stone countertop (video)
For the table with your own hands, you can make a tabletop of any shape, size and color. Many of the product options are available even to novice craftsmen. Some can only be done by professionals. You can also just order a countertop in the store to simply save time..
DIY countertops ideas (photo)