Table top glass serves two functions in home decorating. It can be used to beautify and protect a surface below it, OR it can be attached to a base to form a glass-topped table. Within these two categories, there are practically limitless options for customizing and personalizing the design. As such, glass table tops can be used in just about any part of the home, adding to its beauty and functionality. In fact, ordering table top glass is a wonderful way to make your living space and its décor more unique and personalized to your tastes and preferences. Custom glass table tops can be ordered from glass shops such as ABC Glass & Mirror and put in place by glaziers or picked up for DIY installation.
1. What types of glass are used for table tops?
2. How else can a glass table top be customized?
3. Why would I cover a table top with glass?
4. What are some options for glass-topped tables?
5. Where besides the dining room might I use a glass table top?
6. Are there other glass installations that would complement a glass table top?
7. What centerpieces or accent items look good on a glass table top?
8. How can I order a custom glass table top?
9. What is the best way to clean a glass table top?
Generally speaking, annealed glass is suitable for covering and protecting an existing table top, but tempered glass is needed when the top will be affixed to legs, a pedestal, or another type of base. This is because tempered glass provides 3-4 times the durability of annealed glass, and this strength is not crucial when the glass is simply resting on another solid surface.
In terms of appearance, table top glass can be:
Your choice of glass will have a huge impact on the table’s style. Clear and low-iron glass will either keep the surface below them in view or function on their own as transparent table surfaces. On the other hand, acid-etched, patterned, sand-blasted, or color tinted glass panels are translucent and will blur the view of whatever is below them. Finally, back painted glass is fully opaque, which means that it will hide entirely the surface upon which it is set.
Finally, a glass alternative can also be used as a table top. Both acrylic and polycarbonate sheets offer excellent durability and an appearance similar to that of clear glass. Sheets of these materials can be used as protective tops or function as the table’s only top. (Throughout this article, though, we will be focusing on options for tempered or laminated glass tops.)
To begin with, table top glass is available in thicknesses including: 3/16”, 1/4”, 3/8”, 1/2”, and 3/4”. 1/4” and 3/8” are homeowner favorites, but a glass specialist can help you choose the thickness that is right for your project in terms of safety, longevity, AND aesthetics.
You can also choose the dimensions and shape of your table glass. If you’re covering an existing table, do you want the glass top to fit perfectly or to overhang? If overhanging, will it be the same shape as the top below it or different? For example a square table could be covered AND extended by the addition of a circular glass top. Glass table top shapes include:
Next, the edgework on the table top will further tailor it to your tastes. While the most common choice is a polished edge, you can also choose:
All of your choices in these areas come together to create your special glass top.
The reasons for covering a table top with glass are extremely varied. For one thing, glass can protect the top of an antique or heirloom table so that you feel comfortable using it. Or if you have young children, you may want to guard the table’s surface even if it is not a special piece of furniture.
Likewise, a decorative table with a carved or textured surface doubles as a functional piece of furniture when a glass top is added. A glass top can even be set over a table cloth, allowing you to enjoy the color and weave of the fabric without it being soiled at every meal. For all these applications, clear or low iron glass is a good choice, keeping the surface under it visible.
A glass top can also be added just to refresh a table’s appearance. A sheet of glass has the ability to change a table’s sheen, style, and even color. For example, adding clear or tinted glass tops to the end tables and coffee tables in your living room can give the space a more contemporary ambiance. White back painted glass table tops could brighten a room with dark tables and furnishings.
Finally, glass is the perfect cover or camouflage for a sturdy table with a scratched or stained top. Back painted glass will effectively hide the old surface, while acid-etched, sand-blasted, patterned, and tinted glass will blur the view of the original top. This is another choice that can be attractive for young families. If your current table has been scratched by forks and stained by finger paint, why buy a brand new table that will meet the same fate? Instead, cover the marred top with obscure or back painted glass and buy a new dining set when the kids are older.
Whatever your reason for adding a glass table top, be aware of these helpful features:
Because you get to design the glass top and design or pick out the base, the possibilities for a glass topped table are practically endless. However, since not everyone is familiar with the concept of creating a custom table, we’ll go over some FAQs.
Onto what type of base is a glass table top affixed?
Options for the base are varied, and these are made of various materials including wood, metal, and acrylic. The material chosen will go a long way toward defining the table’s style. For example, a clear acrylic base will give a contemporary feel, while the same piece of glass placed on a wooden pedestal could look traditional or even vintage. On the other hand matte black metal is currently a hot item in home décor, and a table base is one way you could incorporate it.
What styles and designs are possible for the base?
Popular looks include pedestals for round tables, clear geometric bases, and metal frames with four legs. A rectangular table top can also be set atop two separate pedestals. A tree trunk can function as a base…….and the possibilities go on.
What style of glass is best for a custom table?
Clear glass is ideal when you want to make a room feel more spacious because transparent surfaces don’t visually fill the space like a traditional table top would. It also keeps the base in sight, which is desirable if it’s a custom or highly decorative one. Other types of glass may lend themselves to particular décor modes. For instance frosted glass could be right at home in an antique themed space, while tinted glass could impart modern elegance.
All in all, creating a glass table means you control the design. Within limits of safety and practicality, you can select a base, a type of glass, the shape of the top, the edgework of the top, and so on to create a one of kind piece. This is also very in keeping with today’s design trends that favored bespoke furniture and unique items.
First let’s look at a few reasons for using in a glass table top in the most obvious area: the dining room. A layer of clear glass can put your mind at rest when children do homework and art projects at the dining table. It will also give your dining set a clean, fresh appearance and removes the need to decorate with a table cloth or runner. The clean lines and crisp edges of a glass table top can give an ordinary dining set a more high end feel.
Here are some other surfaces that could benefit from the addition of a glass top:
Additional home surfaces that you may wish to cover with a glass table top include night stands, bathroom vanity counters, children’s desks, and crafting tables.
Absolutely! In fact, the dining room is one of the rooms most easily upgraded with custom glass. Besides a glass top for the table, consider one or more of the following:
Similar pairings also work well in a home office. Moreover, a glass whiteboard is especially welcome in this room, and partitions made of obscure glass can give you a more private workspace with fewer distractions.
The great thing about glass is that pretty much everything coordinates with it. This means that the centerpiece on a glass table top could feature yet more glass, or it could totally contrast and still look amazing. A 2022 blog post by Jaye Robinson, suggests particular centerpieces that look lovely on a glass dining table, including a collection of candles on a tray, a glass vase with fresh blooms, potted succulents, and assorted crystal decanters.
Other options include:
Moving away from centerpieces, there are other ways to adorn a dining table, especially for a holiday or family occasion. Cloth napkins are eco-friendly, and you can order embroidered, hand printed, and other colorful types. Also, who says dishes have to match? Instead, pick a range of colors that are pleasant together and collect individual plates and bowls you love from retailers, thrift stores, and antique shops. Pair them with your vibrant cloth napkins for a glass dining table that’s sure to lift your spirits. In fact, the array of colors and patterns will look lovely against the smooth, uniform surface of the glass.
A glass shop like ABC Glass & Mirror of Manassas Park, VA can supply and install custom glass table tops. We start by offering a free in-home consultation with one of our glazing specialists. The ABC estimator will show you samples, go over options, and answer any questions you may have. Then, our office team will work up a price quote and deliver it via email. After considering and choosing your options, you place your order, and we prepare your table top glass. Finally, one of our trained crews installs the glass top.
It is also possible to save some money on table top glass if you already know what you want. You can call in the order, letting us know the glass type, measurements, and so forth. Going this route, you would pick up the top when it was ready and do the install yourself. To learn more about either option or to schedule a free consult, give us a call at (703)257-7150. In summary, you can source your custom top by:
Clean your glass table tops regularly to keep spills from hardening or dust from accumulating. On a dining table, start by cleaning visibly soiled areas with a wet washcloth. Then, to remove any streaks or spots, spray with a 50/50 vinegar and water solution and buff with a lint free cloth. It is recommended to spray the cleaning solution onto a cloth and then apply to the glass. Spraying it directly on the glass can lead to the solution dripping off the edges and, in the case of glass on an existing surface, liquid could possibly get between the glass and the table top.
Glass table tops in other locations, such as atop night stands or living room tables, should be spot cleaned as needed and included in your regular dusting routine. They will also benefit from periodic cleaning with the vinegar and water solution. Buff until completely dry. If streaks remain, repeat the process by applying more cleaner and re-buffing. If a glass surface holds lots of curios or knick-knacks, these should be removed at least once a month for a thorough dusting and cleaning of the glass. Follow these steps:
For custom glass table tops and other glass and mirror needs, we invite you to call ABC at (703)257-7150. We are a veteran owned family business with many years experience serving the Northern Virginia area. Whether your project is large or small, count on quality and excellent service from ABC Glass and Mirror.
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