How To Build a Stone-Top Patio Table

Spruce up your patio with a custom table built from beautiful natural materials that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Next Project
Time

1 - 2 hours

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$50 - $150

Introduction

This durable stone-top patio project is simple enough for a beginner to build in just a few hours and costs less than $100!

Materials Required

  • 1 lb. 1-1/2″ galvanized finish nails
  • 120-grit sandpaper
  • 14′ of 1×2 oak
  • 6′ of 2×2 oak
  • Construction adhesive
  • Eight 1-5/8″ galvanized screws
  • Exterior wood glue
  • Stone tile

Tile stores carry a wide selection of beautiful stone tile. And that’s the inspiration for this stone top patio table. We chose a slate tile, but choose from different types of tile, including granite, limestone and marble tiles. You could also use manufactured tile, though the edges may not match the face of the tile.

How to clean a stone-top table

Your new table is going to get dirty, whether that’s from pilled drinks or backyard birds. Fortunately, it’s easy to clean. For most spills, you can just rinse the table with clean water. If you need a little more, wipe it down with warm, soapy water and a clean cloth. There are natural stone cleaning products available, which can be helpful for deeper stains. Rinse it off with clean water when you’re done.

If the tile you bought for this project isn’t already sealed, you can buy a stone sealant that will help prevent stains.

Construction Drawings for this stone-top patio table project:

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Project step-by-step (6)

Step 1

Cut the parts

  • To cut identical parts without measuring each one, screw a stop block to a 1×4 base (See the cut list measurements for this project in the photo in the diagram above.)
  • Position the base and clamp it in place.
  • Use a miter saw to cut the top supports at 45-1/2 degrees. That way, they’ll join tightly at the visible outside corners.
  • Sand the parts before assembly.

Step 2

Screw and glue the shelf supports to the legs

  • The shelf supports and legs must meet at 90 degrees. You can position them with a square, but if you’re building more than one table, you can speed up the job by making an assembly jig. This jig is made from 1x4s screwed to plywood.

tile patio table

Step 3
Attach the top supports

tile patio table

Step 4
Install the slats
  • Drill pilot holes, then fasten the slats using glue and nails or trim-head screws.
  • Position the slats using 1/2-inch spacers.

tile patio table

Step 5

Glue on the stone-tile top

  • Center the table on the underside of the tile and trace its location.
  • Then, apply construction adhesive and set the top in place. Set weight on the slats if needed.
  • We finished our table with two coats of spar urethane.

tile patio table

Step 6

Enjoy your new patio tile table!

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