Entertain In Style
Create Your Own Tiled Bar
Warm
nights and cool breezes beckon us to the backyard, and there’s no reason to go
inside for
anything this summer -- even when you’re entertaining. Freshen your
guests’ drinks and fill the
appetizer trays straight from your exquisite
outdoor bar. And don’t forget to casually mention you
built it yourself.
Follow
our guide to create this awe-inspiring bar with stunning granite countertops,
earthy stone
architectural facings and sweet-scented cedar cabinets. And if the
backyard isn’t your style, build
your bar for the basement. Create your own
space – indoors or out.
|
- A: Build a basic
rectangle wood frame using 16” studs. Center the frame on plywood sheets,
allowing a ¾” border. For outdoor bars, make sure to use green treated
lumber. Our finished bar is 6’ x 18” – an ideal size to showcase our sleek
2’ x 2’ green granite counter tiles.
- B: Create the countertop
base using the same plywood as the outside of the bar frame. Like the
frame, we determined the countertop size by using three 2’ x 2’ granite
tiles.
- C: Moisture protection
is an important consideration for indoor and outdoor bar tops. We
recommend using Hardie Backer tile backer board to keep your bar dry, but
the backer board comes in a variety of thicknesses. The proper thickness
depends on the type of granite edging used on the countertop. Check with a
Tile Shop representative to make sure you’re purchasing the right backer
board for your bar.
- D: Making sure your
tiles stay in place is essential, and we recommend Pro Lastic or Pro Bond
thinset for ultimate adhesion. Both brands are available at the Tile Shop
– online or in the store.
- E: To create a clean,
finished look on the granite countertop, select some of our granite tile
edging (see page 6 of this catalog). Tile edging adds function and beauty,
and pre-finished granite tiles average two-thirds less than the cost of a
granite slab.
- F: Granite is a
captivating, luxurious material that can withstand the elements – a great
characteristic for an outdoor bar. Our bar uses three finished 2’ x 2’ granite tiles, so no cutting is
required. Explore your creativity with a variety of granite tile colors
and sizes to match any décor.
- G: We added wood corbels
to the bar face for striking embellishment and accent detail. Completely
functional, the corbels provide support for the 6” countertop overhang and
boldly contrast the stone façade. Just like granite tiles, the corbels
come in a vast array of colors and wood species to suit your individual
style.
- H: Our outdoor bar
façade features natural stone architectural facings with the rustic look
and feel of slate. With architectural facings, enjoy the complex
appearance of intricately hand-stacked stone, but delight in the ease of
installation. Our stone facings are available in grout-less,
easy-to-install modular panels. And if creativity sparks, don’t limit
yourself to our design – build your entertainment bar with any tile or
textured facing available from the Tile Shop and express your individual
style.
- I: Cutting tile edges
can be cumbersome, but the Tile Shop makes it simple. With precut corners
on all of our architectural facings, installing tile as a DIYer just got a
little bit easier.
- J: Adding function and
flare, we included a field tile toe-kick to our outdoor entertainment bar
as an optional embellishment. Using the natural stone to match the façade,
the toe-kick uses 6” x 12” slate tiles. Want to take your toe-kick to the
next level? Add a metal footrest for authentic bar charm.
- We selected the
sweet-smelling, earthy feel of cedar wood for our outdoor bar’s cabinetry,
but if your creativity beckons down a path of maple, oak or cherry, follow
your inspired intuition and express your personal style. (photo above)
- The leaf-shaped door
pulls were hands-down the perfect accent to our outdoor entertainment bar.
In tune with the earthy, rustic theme, the hardware compliments the
natural stone façade, rich granite countertops and rugged cedar cabinetry. (see photo)
Ready to embark on building
your own entertainment bar? Let your creativity run wild. And let the Tile Shop
help you along the way with our expert advice and high quality products.
|
Location: SinglePost
The Tile Shop Blog
Subscribe