wood/steel patio table

admin

I'm working on a patio table project. Tabletop is six 2'x2' slate tiles. Frame will be angle iron, square tube for the legs and other design elements I haven't figured out yet.The request is to inset wood (probably 4" wide) between the tiles to give more space and warmth. Initially I was just going to lay down some sheetmetal and pretend it's a floor, thinset, grout etc. But the wood is a problem. Different expansion characteristics, will it soak up moisture from the mortar, can I do the whole surface with one finish or will it require multiple ones.....Anyone with experience or ideas about wood and steel intermix, would love to hear them.Azlar
Reply:thats going tobe a problem if its exposed to the elements, the wood will expand and eventually rot, unless you use some exotic hard wood like teak,and then you will always have a seam open up, you can make it so the wood drops in and is surrounded by a rail and leave clearence