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How thick should a hardwood table top be?
Wood is priced by volume. 2” thick slabs will generally yield a top finished to 1 ½” to 1 ¾” thick. That’s plenty for most tables. If you do want a thicker top, just be aware that the extra bulk is increasing your costs.
What is the apron on a table?
Table aprons, (also called table skirts or skirting) are wood extensions that sit right below the surface of the table. Picture your table top and the part that hangs down from it. This is the table’s “apron” or “skirt.” Aprons can range from 1 ½” to 3”.
Do tables need an apron?
You can ignore the aesthetic function if you choose, but if you want your table to last you have to consider the structural functions. For example, without aprons to support the width of the table, the joints between the boards in the top would experience much more stress than they do in a regular table.
Is 3/4 thick enough for a table top?
Table top thickness varies greatly with contemporary styles. Some will prefer an extra thick 1 3/4″ thick table top on thin legs, such as hairpin legs, creating an intriguing contrast. Others may prefer a very slim ¾” thick table top on a geometric table base, for a “floating” look.
How much overhang should a tablecloth have?
Ideally, it should hang at least six inches over each end of your table, but shouldn’t hang further than your tablecloth. For example, if your table is 60 inches long, your table runner should be at least 72 inches long, allowing for six inches at either end of the table.
How tall should a dining table apron be?
My old rule of thumb with typical dining or writing table dimensions was to put the bottom of the apron a minimum of 24 inches off the floor. If your top is, say, 1-1/4 in. thick, you could have a 5″ apron and still have 24″ to the floor for knees. This all assumes typical dining chair seat height of around 16 to 17 inches.
What kind of chair to use for table apron?
You now mock up a surface at that height and clamp a variety of different width boards to it to simulate the apron. You will easily be able to determine what width is too wide and what’s OK. Be sure you use a chair with a seat height that’s the same as the chairs which will be used with the table.
What’s the best thickness for a table top?
Transitional styles vary greatly, but typically favor table top thicknesses in the mid-range, from 1″ to 1 ¾”. Not excessively thick or thin, but well-proportioned to the interior space. Larger, more rustic pieces may work well with a thicker top. Country, Farmhouse, Tavern, and Arts & Crafts are considered transitional styles.
How big should the top be on a dining table?
In the case of tables, the brain will tell us when the balance between the leg width and top thickness is off. A dining table with 4 ½” wide legs and a ¾” thick top will feel wrong and imbalanced. Put those same wide legs under a 1 ¾” thick top, and everything falls into place.