DIY Granite Top Dining Table
Homeowners choose granite for household surfaces because of its natural beauty, durability and stain resistance. A granite-top dining table offers residents and guests the opportunity to sit down and enjoy a meal on a natural surface that incorporates their use into its eventual color and character as it becomes seasoned over time. Make your own granite-top table to your custom dimensions.
Size
One advantage to making your own dining table is that you can build it to your own desired dimensions instead of a stock size. Because a granite top for a dining table is typically one large, seamless slab, your table won't be expandable with a center leaf. For that reason, make your table as large as will comfortably fit in the room with space for as many chairs as you will need around the perimeter.
Plan on at least 30 inches space around the each side of the table. Measure the chairs and allow about 4 inches on each side of each chair at its widest part. Last, measure the room and the doorway to make sure your table's top will fit out the door for an eventual move.
Frame
After determining the size of your table, build or purchase the frame that will hold the granite top. Build a simple wood frame with four legs joined by wood bracing and stain it to the color of the chair frames. As an alternative, purchase a table frame made from metal that has been separated from its glass or tile top at a furniture store's scratch and dent area. Choose or build a table frame that can support the weight of the granite top, approximately 17 lbs. per square foot of area.
Granite Tabletop
Have your granite piece cut by the supplier to the dimensions you need. Whether your table frame allows for the granite top to lay inside the frame, surrounded by its edges, or to lay on top of the frame, determines whether you will need to finish the granite edges. The granite supplier can custom-bevel or curve the edges of your tabletop.
On a table frame with legs and a supportive frame, the distributed weight of the granite holds the top in place. On a pedestal table or a frame without full support underneath the granite, it may be necessary to secure the granite to the frame. Add a second pedestal under the table and center each on one end of the top.
After installation, use your table frequently. Dine on it uncovered and wipe it clean after each use. Frequent use helps season the granite, darkening its color. Natural granite does not need any sealing or varnish.
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