How to Protect & Preserve Your Glass Table Tops
Spring has certainly sprung here with Brisbane and the Gold Coast experiencing some beautiful warm days already and although we are all ever-aware of possible changes in restrictions, South East Queenslanders are considering ourselves extremely fortunate to be able to enjoy these days of sunshine together with our family and friends. The warmer the weather, the more enticing the idea of entertaining and enjoying our freedoms. But are our glass filled homes ready for guests?
We’ve been trapped inside our homes for so long, it’s understandable that some of our furniture has deteriorated or worn out. Not only can these pieces appear shabby, (and not the ‘chic’ kind), they can pose a potential hazard for breakage or injury. So let’s walk through the house together to ensure our next social gathering is one to remember for all the right reasons like great food, great company and great memories and not that time the outdoor glass table shattered for example.
While glass is low maintenance, extremely easy to clean and hardwearing, there are potential risks to these products if not cared for and maintained. We’ve all seen action movies when someone falls on a glass table and it breaks into large dangerous chunks of glass and injures the character, right? The truth is though, toughened safety glass is actually designed to shatter into small pieces avoiding those large, sharp, dangerous chunks of glass. These small sized pieces also protect us from those tiny shards of glass which seem to continue to reveal themselves in obnoxious ways for years to come.
Laminated glass is much more than a safety glass; laminated glass is 2 pieces of glass laminated together, if it breaks, the shards remain together. It is so strong that when the glass breaks, it produces a ‘spider web’ crack pattern instead of breaking into sharp pieces. So the first step to protect your family and the value of your assets is by always speaking to qualified glaziers before attempting to replace the glass around your home.
With our sensational weather and Australia’s love of outdoor dining, let’s start with our outdoor furniture. Glass topped furniture looks elegant and stylish but is it suitable for the outdoors? Actually, yes! Especially if cared for properly. Glass topped outdoor furniture should always use toughened glass, so it should be able to withstand the elements and regular use. However, if we are going to be honest, cheap outdoor furniture may be better replaced than repaired. It tends to be the frame that deteriorates before the glass and the last thing you want is a glass table top coming loose due to structural frame damage.
Damaged glass isn’t always obvious, so check your table frame and edges for any wear and tear, check the glass for any cracks, chips or scratches and replace the table if there is any damage. When purchasing a new table, check the safety standards and make sure it meets the government’s requirements for outdoor furniture. If your outdoor setting has a central umbrella space, safeguard the hole with a protector and always weight the base of the umbrella. The protector will guard the inside edge of the glass from damage and the weighted base will minimise the risk of the umbrella pulling the table over during strong winds.
While glass is strong, it is not indestructible. Whether outside or inside around glass coffee tables, glass dining tables or glass desks, there are simple ways to be mindful. Glass can break when hit by a hard object or dropped on an edge. So make sure you always ask for help when lifting or moving glass furniture. This tip is probably not a bad reminder for your back anyway. When moving, assembling or storing glass furniture, also remember not to lay glass top directly on rough or hard surfaces, gently lie the glass on a blanket or cardboard to protect it from unnecessary damage.
Remind family and guests not to sit or stand on glass furniture and please keep little ones from climbing on glass tables – this one is never worth the risk. Using placemats, coasters and table cloths or even table runners not only keep the surface clean, it can help prevent scratches and add a little padding in case of accidental drops. And although the glass may be toughened, it is important to always put a cutting board, pot holder or trivet under any hot or icy cold objects.
Extreme temperature changes can create an area of weakness, so even a folded tea towel can help insulate and protect your glass table tops. It is also wise to not cut directly on a glass table top as that’s a great way to create scratches, just like dragging items over the surface. So if you want the finish to last, clean regularly using non abrasive cleaners to ensure no grit or grime is destroying the surface and a simple table cover may be useful when the table is not in use too.
If you are considering building a glass table, adding a glass top to an existing table or replacing a damaged glass table top there are a few things to keep in mind. Our toughened glass generally comes in 6mm – 12mm thickness, and the larger the table, the thicker the glass top required. Usually float glass or safety glass will be best suited for table tops. However, don’t think you are limited in design.
Our experienced Gold Coast and Brisbane glaziers can custom make the glass to almost any shape and size you desire and tinted glass may add the unique look to your feature piece. Consider edgings too as we have our own edging machines and can offer polished or bevelled edges to suit your style and setting. So when you are ready to talk to the experts, gather as much information as possible like measurements, style, and even photos of your project and send it to us for a free quote. Let’s work together to create beautiful, safe and functional furniture pieces that protect our families and last a lifetime of enjoyment.
