How to Make a Glass Mosaic Tabletop

If you are looking for a new way to decorate an old tabletop, consider covering it in a glass mosaic. Glass mosaics add beauty and interest to your home. You can purchase mosaic patterns to create intricate designs, or you can custom design your own with a little creativity. If you do not have an old tabletop, you can purchase a cheap table at a garage sale or thrift store.

Instructions

1

Place the glass on a flat surface. You can recycle glass dishware or old mirrors or buy glass sheets from your local craft store.

2

Cover the glass with a thick towel. The towel will prevent the glass from going everywhere.

3

Break the glass with a hammer. After you hit the glass two or three times, open the towel to see if the glass is broken into the sizes that you need. A general rule of thumb is to keep the glass no larger than 1 inch.

4

Place the broken pieces of glass in a plastic container. This is especially useful if you are using many different colors of glass in order to keep them separated.

5

Cut each piece of broken glass into a more precise cut using your glass cutter. Cutting the glass will allow you to fit the pieces closer together. You can use the running pliers to break a straight cut that you make with the glass cutter. When you cut with the glass cutter, start at the edge of the glass and pull the cutter toward you.

6

Clean the tabletop to remove any dirt and debris. Start at one corner of the tabletop and begin gluing on the glass pieces. Leave about 1/4 to 1/2 inch in between each piece to leave room for the grout. Allow the glue to dry.

7

Mix the grout according to the directions once you cover the tabletop with the broken glass for your mosaic.

8

Spread the grout across the table to fill in all the cracks. A spatula works best for placing the grout. Allow the grout to set for 20 minutes.

9

Wipe the grout from the top of your tabletop with a wet towel. You will see the grout in between the pieces of glass. Allow the grout to set for 48 to 72 hours before using the tabletop. Reapply the grout if it did not adhere between some of your glass pieces.