Choosing Glass the Right Thickness for Your Table

Choosing Glass the Right Thickness For Your Table

Thickness is part of the supportive structure of the glass. Not only must a free span of glass be strong enough to support its own weight, but it must also be strong enough to support whatever objects are laid upon it.

Some glass table covers rest upon another surface as a protective feature, for example, a coffee table. However, many glass table tops are suspended surfaces with the table’s framework and pane thickness the only thing supporting the clear glass. Trying to save money by choosing an inadequate thickness can result in catastrophe. A professional glassmaker can help you determine the thickness of the glass piece that you need for your glass table top project.

Glass Thickness

How thick a tabletop needs to be is very much dependent on the table base itself. As an example, if you simply plan on using the glass as a protective cover on top of another table top, glass that is a quarter-inch thick should be adequate. If the table top glass is going to serve as the actual table top or table surface, it will need to be thick glass.

In any event, if the table has a dimension larger than 24 inches or will be supporting heavy objects, the glass needs to be thicker than a quarter-inch. The most popular thicknesses are 3/8″, ½” or ¼”. The thicker a glass top is, the more substantial the look and feel of it. However, if the glass top is too thick for the size of the table, the weight can be a concern. As size increases, thicker glass can increase the weight greatly.

The Different Thicknesses

If you are looking for a glass top for patio tables, inserts, smaller tables or protective glass covers, thinner glass like a 1/4″ thickness is usually adequate. For glass tabletops and protective covers, the ¼” glass thickness should work. If you need a glass top for a heavy, unsupported table top where the glass will be the stand alone table top, thick glass with a 3/8″ thickness is popular and durable. For a strong, attractive tabletop, ½” thickness provides the protection and durability needed for a stand-alone tabletop.

Tempered Glass Table Top

In addition to the thickness of glass contributing to its strength, it is important to consider safety should the unthinkable happen and a glass table top break.

By using tempered glass, the worst can be averted. Tempered glass is actually considered a safety glass. It is four times stronger than regular glass. The manufacturing process results in a pane of glass that will shatter into glass pebbles rather than dangerous, sharp shards if broken. Safety is the reason tempered glass is used by automobile manufacturers and should be the same reason any homeowner should select it in their glass tabletop project.

Types of Glass

Table Top Glass comes in all sorts of sizes and shapes – round, square, rectangular. You can get colored or mirror glass table tops, tempered glass table tops, beveled glass, flat polished edges, and more. The best part of all is that getting a separate glass table top allow you to get creative with the table base — a base that people will notice from every angle, thanks to a clear glass top.

Types of Bases

• Coffee table for your living room

• Dining room table for your dining room

• Dining table for your kitchen

• Desk top

• End table

• Side table

• Wood table

• Patio table

Custom Orders

We can create a glass table top cover in the measurements and thickness you need for your project. When it comes to glass, we are a full-service glass company, providing clear glass table tops, mirrors, windows, doors and more.  We can quickly get the right tabletop ready for your project.

Our skilled craftsmen have the experience you need. We are specialists in commercial, residential and automobile glass. In addition to quality repairs and installation, our glassmaker professionals are experts at edge work whether it’s pencil polish, flat polish edge, beveled polish/beveled edges, or radius corners.  We can create the custom glass table tops, mirrors and panes you need for any special project using the highest quality glass. Simply share your design ideas with us. We can guide you on your glass options and are happy to provide you with a free estimate.

Call Michael’s Glass Co. For Your Glass Furniture Needs

If you are in need of a glass tabletop or if you have a glass tabletop project, please contact us to find out if we have a glass piece in stock or to help you find your perfect glass fit!