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!

Demers Glass provides the highest quality commercial glass services to clients throughout the state of Arizona. Our skilled staff of glaziers have many years of experience in glass design, fabrication and installation. Plus, we offer exceptional customer service to ensure that you receive the best commercial glass products and services possible.

Demers Glass offers a wide range of services to help with your residential home improvements including window repair & replacements, glass tinting, shower enclosures, retractable screens and solar/insect screens, glass tabletops for your kitchen or coffee table and countertops and fireplace glass.

How Thick Should a Glass Tabletop Be? [Everything You Need to Know]

When it comes to a glass tabletop, it is the glass that provides support to the structure of the table. 

To be totally honest, the tabletop glass must be able to withstand the weight of the objects on the table and be solid enough to hold itself up. 

If you are searching for a glass tabletop that supports solely due to pane thickness, make sure that you get a thick glass tabletop. 

Being negligent on this front can lead to a rather fragile table. The last thing you need is a glass tabletop that’ll cave when you put your antique dishes on it.

If you are looking at glass tabletops, here is your guide on what to keep in mind. We’ll answer any and all questions you might have, from the type of glass to use, its thickness, and the aesthetic of the table once the glass is placed on wooden, stone, or steel legs. 

Keep reading for more. 

How thick is a glass dining table?

First, you need to decide if you are using the glass as a cover or if the glass will be the table surface itself. 

If the glass is merely a cover for your tabletop, rather choose glass with a ¼ inch thickness. 

If you are using the glass top as your only table surface, make sure that the glass is thicker than ¼ inch. You must feel comfortable with the glass that will be used as a tabletop before you even order it. Thicker glass has a more sizable feel to it so don’t be shy to touch it or ask a professional about the thickness. 

If the glass is used as a cover for your table, you can opt for a glass that is ¼ inch, ½ inch, or 3/8 inches in thickness. 

While thicker glass means a more solid tabletop, keep in mind that you cannot use too thick a glass because the thicker it is, the heavier it becomes. Your base needs to be able to support the weight of the glass you choose.

To get the perfectly sized tabletop, you need to understand different glass thicknesses and which ones are most effective for your type of tabletop. 

Here are a few references to help you along: 

• ½ inch thickness: One of the most attractive glass thickness sizes is the ½ inch glass size.  For tables made entirely of glass, this is an ideal thickness. It does not look overwhelming on your tabletop and provides adequate support so that your glass table won’t cave in unexpectedly. 
• ¼ inch thickness: This is the ideal glass size for tabletops and glass protective covers for tables such as coffee tables and patio tables. While the ½ inch thick glass feels sturdier, you can also feel safe with the ¼ inch thickness. 
• 3/8 inches: You would be better off using this glass size for smaller-sized tables as a tabletop and it’s not ideal to use it as the glass on large tabletops. That’s because it’s not quite as thick as the ½ inch glass and may lead to problems in terms of ensuring that your table is well-balanced. 

What type of glass is best for tabletops?

The glass used for tabletops comes in different sizes and shapes, from round and square, custom shaped to rectangular ones that work perfectly as tabletop coverings. 

Of course, you can always play around with the different types of glass and see which shape looks most attractive to you. 

For best results, seek expert guidance on the best aesthetic for your needs, keeping in mind the type of glass that you choose must look eye-catching from whichever angle you view it from. 

You can choose different types of edges for your tabletop as well. To enhance the look and feel of your glass tabletop, you can opt for seamed edges, flat ground or polished edges, pencil polished edges, or even beveled edges.

Standard edging is often advised for patio furniture since it’s outside. So it’s not just the aesthetic that you should be concerned with but glass quality as well and its ability to withstand all kinds of weather conditions. 

How much overhang should a glass table top have?

While glass tabletop overhang is again a matter of personal taste, the ideal glass table should not have a glass top overhang that is more than one-third of its width. 

This sounds rather complicated if an expert is not near to advise you as to what that means. 

In simple terms, some people prefer a shorter overhang while others enjoy the longer overhang. The longer overhang is usually between 2 to 4 inches to make sure the table looks proportionally balanced. 

But, you can get leeway of about 18 inches of the glass tabletop overhang without the table looking disproportional and clumsy. 

Not to sound like a broken record here, but the best solution is to seek expert advice from a glass dealer like Demers on what the latest tabletop overhang style is and what size overhang will suit the specific glass tabletop that you have in mind. 

Is tempered glass stronger than annealed?

Tempered glass is up to 4 times stronger than annealed glass and can withstand varying temperatures of items set on them. On the other hand, annealed glass is susceptible to heat stress if a hot item is placed on its surface.

Tempered glass also has a weak point along its edges which if struck at just the right angle and force, it could shatter on you. Conversely, annealed glass would most likely chip or clam.

As you can see there are advantages/disadvantages to both types so make sure you ask a professional before making your final decision.

Can you cut tempered glass?

While tempered glass is seen as being stronger than annealed glass, it cannot be cut due to the manufacturing process that it goes through to become a much tougher glass than other types. 

If you try and cut tempered glass with a glass cutter, it may cause the glass to shatter entirely. 

Should I put glass over my wood dining table?

This particular question is one of preference. The answer is, it is possible.

This is becoming ever more commonplace as homeowners look for more unique dining table designs and combinations. 

Maybe this isn’t the answer you were looking for. At Demers, we have a showroom located in Peoria where an associate can show you options in person so you can get a better visual to help you make a decision.

Can I customize my glass top?

We’ve noticed a marked increase in the demand for customized glass tabletops over the years and we take pride in our ability to meet each customer’s unique needs.

We’ve worked with different customers to create glass tabletops that have different types of glass and thickness levels. Being professional craftsmen, we go the extra mile to ensure that we give you the glass you want. 

All you need to do is tell us your vision and we can make it a reality. 

We’ve been making our way into the hearts of homeowners in the Phoenix area for the last decade and we specialize in helping our customers to make the best glass choices possible. 

Being a family business, we always make sure to leave you with a smile. 

We continue to grow and thrive because of the quality of our products and the service we offer, as that keeps our customers coming back. There is a reason that they call us the best in the business and we wear that title proudly. 

So, how can we solve your glass tabletop needs today?