How to replace a table top

There are many reasons why people need new furniture. It might be a change in current fashion, or maybe that the item was broken.

However, instead of getting rid of it completely and buying new items, thousands of people these days are upgrading their furniture. It's an excellent way of saving money, keeping hold of a treasured piece, and reducing waste.

Alternatively, some people scour garage sales and thrift stores for coffee tables and other furniture. These can sometimes be a bit worse for wear as the top of the table usually takes a lot of heavy use over the years.

In this article, we're offering a few ideas as to how to replace old and tired table tops and make it as good as new! Of course, you could engage the services of a professional, but for anyone feeling ambitious, it's well worth having a go at this yourself.

If you've been wondering about this you'll hopefully get some inspiration by reading our guide that will encourage you to have a try!

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/129159054@N02/22877777260

First Things First: What Is Your Table Made Of?

This is fundamental to the issue, obviously! And we don't just mean whether it's made of glass (which we'll cover later) or wood.

Some tables are constructed out of solid wood, while others have a veneer or laminate over plywood. Sometimes they're partly veneered and partly solid!

It's essential to understand the difference and to be absolutely certain which one you have before you proceed.

Here are a few pointers to help you out:

Solid wood

• Generally much heavier
• Carvings are a sure sign! You can't carve veneer or laminate surfaces.
• You can feel the grain and the direction of the grain is consistent
• You'll find unfinished areas on the underside

Veneer

• Banding is used on the edges to cover the unfinished veneer ends
• The overall piece has a uniform finish on all sides
• The grain may run in different directions on various parts of the table

Laminate

• Laminates are factory-made sheets of fibreboard, paper and resin pressed together under extreme pressures. Unlike veneer, where each sheet is unique, laminate sheets are identical. Check large areas and you'll notice a repeated pattern.
• Check the edges of the table for any horizontal grain; you won't find this on solid furniture.

Which Is Best: Laminate Or Veneer?

To answer this, we need to look at the differences between the two.

First, veneer is made from thin sheets of natural hardwood, making it an attractive and sustainable option. It can be sanded with a fine grit sandpaper, polished and stained and it looks amazing.

However, it is susceptible to scratches and stains and can be pretty expensive. You'll also need to take care of it with regular polishing.

Laminate, on the other hand, is a cheaper option. That's because, as mentioned above, it's essentially made from paper and resin (usually melamine). The surface is coated with plastic that is printed so the finished product resembles wood grain.

It's tough, durable and resistant to scratches and stains, making it ideal for families with young kids as it can handle the rigours of daily life better than veneer! Some laminate sheets are highly fire-resistant, too.

Even so, it's not the most eco-friendly option as it can't be recycled. Most laminate furniture ends up in the landfill site at the end of its life.

Now we've determined what type of material is involved, it's time to take action.

Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Decorative_laminate_07847.jpg

Next: Determine The Action Required

Before launching into a full-scale project, ask yourself whether it's necessary. Do you really need to replace the entire table top? After all, this could be a fairly involved process.

For superficial damage, or if you simply want to change the look of your table, maybe some filler and wood stain or varnish would do the trick. Read here to find out the difference between wood stain and varnish, as well as what is wood stain used for. Alternatively, you can even choose to paint your table!

French polishing is also a great idea; it will preserve the wood and produce an amazing finish. You could also cover the table top with epoxy resin or acrylic, or simply throw a funky tablecloth over it to hide the damage!

However, if you're set on replacing it, let's get down to details.

How To Replace A Veneer Table Top

So, your existing veneer table top has a surface that's seen better days. These pieces of furniture are great as they mimic the beautiful look of expensive solid hardwood items, but without the heavy weight and hefty price tag!

But how do you set about replacing damaged veneer?

Here's a quick guide to the procedure:

Measure the table top carefully

Although you need to to have precise measurements of the length and width, it's best to add a little extra, say, one inch on each side. Write it down!

Get a sheet of veneer of your choice

This is your chance to change the appearance of your table if you want. Just bear in mind that if you change the colour of a dining table they won't match the chairs.

You can choose from oak, red oak, mahogany, cherry, and so on. Each one has its own appeal.

Strip the old veneer

Use a chisel or putty knife to remove the veneer carefully. A rubber mallet will help to get the blade under any pieces that are being difficult.

Sand the surface

Run sandpaper (medium grit is ideal) over the entire surface to get rid of dried glue and make it smooth and level, then brush it down and wipe it with a tack cloth to remove all traces of dust.

Apply the glue

Spread wood glue across the surface in a thin layer, ensuring that it is evenly covered with no bare patches.

Put the veneer in place

Settle the veneer gently on top of the table and use a rolling pin to press it down firmly. Place a clean sheet of plywood on top, taking care not to scratch your new veneer. Weigh it down with anything heavy (big books, bricks, or even dumbells from your home gym!). Leave the glue for about 24 hours to ensure it has dried fully.

Final steps

Remove all the weights and plywood, then flip the table over. It's best to put a cloth down to protect the surface. Use a sharp craft knife to trim the edges back, then lightly sand it level using a fine grit sandpaper. If you have a router you can use this to level the edges before sanding.

Set it upright and give it a polish, and you have a gorgeous table once again!

Light Walnut Round Veneer Table Top

How To Replace A Laminate Table Top

This process is much the same as it is with veneer:

• Measure the table and make a note of the dimensions.
• Pick a laminate to match your colour scheme.
• Remove the old laminate using a heat gun or steam iron and a putty knife.
• Once this is done, run the heat gun over the surface again and scrape off any remaining glue with the putty knife, then sand the surface and wipe it with a damp cloth and cleaning fluid to remove the dust. Allow it to dry fully before continuing.
• When using a self-adhesive laminate, it is possible to stick this directly onto the existing table surface, as long as it isn't too badly damaged. You should scuff this with a medium grit sandpaper to allow the glue to grip. However, many experts recommend that you strip the old laminate first as you'll get a better sticking surface for the new laminate.
• Cut the laminate to size, allowing extra at the edges.
• Apply a contact cement or glue to the prepared surface as well as to the back of the new laminate and guide it into place. Trim the edge with a craft knife or use a router.
• Clamp the laminate to the table, taking care to use a protective layer so you don't damage the laminate or the table frame. Remove the clamps after 24 hours.

Your new laminate table top is ready to go, and all you need to do in terms of maintenance is to wipe it down once in a while!

Replacing A Solid Wood Table Top

Of course, you're essentially just keeping the legs and frame here, so this is a pretty drastic step to take. This might happen if the existing table top has been extensively damaged and wasn't repairable.

You can buy ready-made table tops from eBay and DIY outlets, or you may wish to make your own. Clearly, this latter option is more complicated, but we'll go through the steps to give you an idea of what's involved:

• Turn the table upside down and remove any screws holding the top in place. Most good-quality solid wood tables have a simple sliding mechanism in the apron (or skirt) of the frame to allow easy release, which is ideal! All you need to do is twist a wooden block or release a clip and off it comes.
• Measure the frame and make a careful note of where the top of the table will be attached.
• If you're making your own table top out of boards, be sure to invest in good ones. Pine is great for everyday use and doesn't cost the earth, though watch for any pieces that are too knotty! Oak is always a good choice as it looks great. It takes stain or paint very well if you prefer a dark finish. And if you don't want to go too dark, just apply one coat of furniture wax for a beautifully natural look.
• You'll make life a lot easier if you use a Kreg jig when joining the boards. This handy tool allows you to easily drill pocket holes at an angle into the back of the boards, then you can use a combination of wood glue and Kreg jig screws (ideally, but flat-head wood screws will do if not) to fix them securely. This will need to be clamped until the glue has dried. Do this on a flat surface, and get someone to help you as this is a two-man job.
• Sand the entire surface both sides and clean off any dust before you stand it on the frame.
• Depending on what type of table you're dealing with, there are several ways of joining the top to the frame. You can glue it in place, or use a combination of glue and screws through holes in the apron (taking care not to drill through the new table top surface!). You might also use wooden dowels set into the apron, with matching holes in the table top, on the underneath, of course!

And your table is complete!

Source: https://www.rawpixel.com/image/5960880/

Glass Table Top Replacement

If your existing table has a glass top, there's a pretty good chance that it has been chipped, cracked or smashed completely. Even though they are all made from toughened glass (at least they should be!) it's still possible to break them.

So, how do you go about replacing a glass table top? In most cases, this is pretty easy as the glass top rests on the frame, usually on clear rubber bumpers to stop it from sliding.

Others may not be so simple as the glass is fixed in place using powerful adhesives. Depending on how much of the surface has been glued, and what it is glued to, this can be a painstaking and difficult process during which it is possible that you'll break the glass.

You'll need to use solvents to dissolve the glue, a flat blade to scrape it away, and lots of patience!

Next, you need to order a piece of glass that fits the frame. Remember to specify what edges you want, as you may wish them to be bevelled or polished. Also, you need to say whether you want the glass tinted or not.

Although you can buy glass table tops ready-made, you can have a piece made to order. Bear in mind that an odd shape will cost more than a regular one.

When your glass arrives, the best option is to rest it on the frame using non-slip bumpers, though you could use a nano-glue specially designed for glass.

Teak Root Coffee Table with Glass Top

In Conclusion

You now have some ideas about replacing your table top if you want to keep your existing table and give it an upgrade. Some methods are easier than others, depending on what you have to begin with.

One thing is for sure; you'll have an awesome table to show off when you're finished!

How to replace a table top is courtesy of Homes Direct 365 Limited

from Homes Direct 365 | Blog - Feed https://www.homesdirect365.co.uk/blog/2022/06/how-to-replace-a-table-top/