Nothing elevates a living or dining space like a custom glass table top. Custom glasswork gives your furniture a unique, sophisticated look that will spark compliments from everyone who visits your home. To help you get the most out of your investment, use these five tips for protecting and preserving a glass table top.

Place Your Table Outside the Flow of Traffic

When your family is rushing out the door in the morning, they’re more likely to bump into things. Placing a glass table top in a high-traffic area, like your entryway, puts the piece at greater risk of being chipped, scratched or knocked over.

Choosing a location outside the flow of traffic, like your formal dining room, will minimize the risk of damage.

Choose Your Cleaning Products Carefully

Make sure to clean your glass table top with a soft microfiber towel and products made for glass surfaces. Avoid cleaners containing detergents or ammonia, as these can leave a stubborn residue on your table top.

Set Out Coasters or Mats

If the table will be used for dining, having coasters or placement mats available is a great way to protect the glass. Not only will they prevent water rings, but setting drinks and plates on top of softer surfaces will eliminate the risk of scratches.

We recommend having coasters or mats set out before any guests arrive, lest they place their drinks directly on your glass table top on accident.

Avoid Using Your Glass Table Top for Play

While high-quality table tops can be incredibly durable, especially if they’re made from tempered glass, they still aren’t the best fit for children’s play areas. To prevent any damage to your glass table top, avoid letting your little ones bring their toys or crafts into your dining area.

Never Place Hot Items Directly on the Surface

Placing extremely hot items (like a skillet straight out of the oven) can shock glass and cause it to crack. While this is relatively unlikely, it’s a good idea to make a habit of placing hot objects onto a dish towel or mat.

If you’re looking for a new glass table top, look no further than Golden Glass! We stock a stunning selection of glass varieties in our warehouse, all customizable to your exact specifications. Our family-run business handles everything from fabrication to installation in-house to ensure superior, timely results. Contact us online, call (800) 644-5277 or stop by our Fullerton showroom to start your next project today!

Glass table tops are an ideal way to protect your furniture and elevate the look of your home. At Golden Glass, our glasswork and glazing contractors have the tools and materials to create custom pieces that work for every style, space and purpose. We’ve answered the four most commonly asked questions about glass table tops to help you decide on a style you’ll love.

How to Choose the Right Thickness for a Glass Tabletop

The glass thickness used in table tops varies substantially; you’ll find table tops that range from 3⁄16 inch to 1/2 inch thick. To determine the thickness that will work best for your table, consider what purpose you want the glass to fulfill. 

Will your glass table top be placed on top of an existing table top to protect it? A 1/4-inch glass style will work just fine.

If your glass table top will be used as the table’s surface, you should opt for a thicker glass. This will ensure the table is strong enough to support whatever is placed on top.

When to Choose a Heavy Glass Tabletop 

Glass styles that are 1/2 to 3/8 inch thick are generally referred to as heavy glass. These glass styles are ideal for dining room or outdoor patio tables, as they’ll be sturdy enough to support a substantial amount of weight.

When to Consider Tempered Glass

Tempered glass, or glass treated with thermal or chemical processes, is about four times stronger than regular (annealed) glass. Because of its durability, tempered glass is commonly used in aquariums, car windows and shower doors.

Should you consider tempered glass for your table top? The answer depends on where your table top will be placed.

If your table will be used outdoors, or if the table top will sit directly on top of the table legs, you’ll want to choose a tempered glass style.

For indoor pieces that will be placed on top of an existing table, a regular annealed glass will be plenty strong enough.

What Types of Edgework You Have to Choose From

At Golden Glass, our contractors can customize your new glass table top with a range of beautiful edgework styles.

A seamed edge has been slightly sanded to remove any sharpness from the edge of the glass for safe handling. While the most affordable option, seamed edges lack polish and are typically reserved for table tops where the edges will be hidden. 

A flat edge will give your table top a refined, minimalistic appearance. This edgework style has a 45-degree slope at the top and the bottom, drawing attention to the thickness of the glass.

A pencil edge has a rounded, shiny finish – similar to a pencil. Pencil edges appear elegant, polished and soft.

A beveled edge has a deep, polished angle that adds a unique and artistic element to a glass table top. 

Since 1984, Golden Glass has fabricated and installed stunning glasswork for residential and commercial projects nationwide. Whether you’re looking for a custom glass table top, double pane windows or glass shower doors, our contractors will create something beautiful for your home. Visit us online or call (800) 64-GLASS  and start your next project today.

Custom glasswork is a surefire way to elevate the look and feel of your home. Glass table tops are a great place to start; they’re timeless, lightweight and make any space feel bigger and brighter.

If you’re new to custom fabrication, it can be challenging to know where to start. Below are the five main questions to ask yourself when purchasing a custom glass table top.

Who Will Use Your Glass Table Top?

At Golden Glass, our glass table tops are made from the highest-quality materials available. They’re a beautiful, elegant way to protect an existing table from regular wear and tear.

Glass table tops are built to withstand regular, everyday use. However, they aren’t the best choice for families with very small children. Even the most durable glass materials can break if things are dropped on them, and sharp corners are a safety risk when little ones run afoot.

What Does Your Interior Design Look Like?

The existing design of your home will help you decide on a style for your new glass tabletop. Do you prefer muted, simple colors or a vibrant, bold palette? Is your home filled with soft, round edges or sharp, crisp lines?

Our glasswork and glazing contractors can fabricate glass table tops of virtually any shape, size, design and thickness. We stock dozens of glass varieties in-house, allowing us to produce beautiful custom pieces efficiently.

When Will You Use the Table?

Consider how often you’ll use your glass table top. Will it be used daily as your kitchen table or kept for special occasions? 

Knowing the purpose of your new glass table top will help you and your glazing contractor decide on a suitable design and materials. 

Where Will it be in Your Home?

Glass table tops are a beautiful addition to any room in your home. From nightstands to coffee tables to extravagant dining room showpieces, they elevate whatever space they’re in.

Different shapes and sizes work best for different applications, so knowing where your table will go is essential. Once you’ve decided on a home for your new glass table top, your glasswork contractor can advise a design suitable for your needs.

Why are You Buying a Glass Table Top?

There are several great reasons to purchase a custom glass tabletop for your home. Their elegant, timeless design complements and opens up any space.  They are also lightweight, durable and easy to keep clean, making them perfect for small spaces any busy families.

Ready to start designing your glass table top? Stop by Golden Glass’s Fullerton showroom to browse our stunning selection of glass materials. Our contractors have the tools and expertise to fabricate beautiful, custom glasswork you’ll love. 

For more information and a complimentary quote, fill out our online contact form or give us a call at (800) 64-GLASS.

Safety features shouldn’t have to interrupt the sophisticated design of your home. Glass handrail systems are a great way to add security around a stairwell, balcony or patio while maintaining a sleek and modern interior design. 

If you’re considering glass handrails for your home, here are five things to consider to help you get the most out of your home improvement project.

Not All Glass Handrails are the Same

There are three main styles of glass handrails: dadoed, standoff and clamped.

Dadoed handrails feature glass panels secured within a wooden framework. The surrounding frame eliminates the need for clips or other hardware, which gives this style a sleek appearance.

In a standoff glass handrail system, the glass panels are secured to the stairs with steel cylinders called standoffs. Because the panels are fastened directly to the stairs, standoff systems can be frameless. 

Clamped glass handrails use glass clips or posts to mount glass panels to the railing. This style requires more hardware, which can give an industrial look that some love.

Local Safety & Building Codes Can Vary

Handrail systems are a safety feature, so it’s important to check local regulations regarding what materials you can use in your home. For example, you may be required to use tempered glass to ensure your glass handrails are durable and less likely to shatter.

Glass Handrail Systems Need Minimal Maintenance

Wooden handrails require oil, waxing and staining. In contrast, glass handrail systems need minimal maintenance. They won’t fade or splinter with regular use – all they’ll require is the occasional wipe with soap or vinegar to look great.

Different Styles Can Have Different Costs

Like any home improvement project, the cost of a glass handrail system can vary depending on its features. For example, thinner glass will typically be less expensive. This makes styles like dadoed handrails more cost-effective, as their frame allows them to support thinner glass panels.

The hardware used can also change the price of your handrails. As your contractor about different hardware options to help keep your new safety feature within budget. 

The Glazing Contractors You Choose Make All the Difference

When choosing glasswork and glazing contractors, don’t settle for less than the best – especially for an important safety feature like handrails. 

At Golden Glass, we hold ourselves to architectural excellence. Since 1984, we’ve remained on the cutting edge of the industry and used only the highest-quality glass materials available. Our family-run business handles everything from fabrication to installation to ensure impeccable results and timely delivery. Contact us online or call (800) 644-5277 today; we’d be happy to provide you with a free quote for your next project.

Custom glass table tops are a great way to protect your furniture while adding a design element to your home. Sleek, elegant and available in a wide range of colors and styles, glass table tops can transform the look of a living or dining area instantly. They’re a modern alternative to staining or painting, making any room look bigger and brighter.

A skilled glazing contractor can customize a beautiful glass table top to fit your exact specifications. These three factors will help you design the perfect glass piece for your home.

The Size You’d Like Your Table to Be

At Golden Glass, we custom fabricate all of our glass pieces in-house. No project is too big or small for our contractors – whether you’d like a simple bedside table or an extravagant dining room piece, we’ll bring your vision to life.

Make sure to measure your space beforehand to ensure your new glass table top will fit comfortably in the room you’d like it. If you’re ordering a glass table top for a table you own, you’ll want to measure the surface area of the piece to ensure the glass will align with the edges of the piece.

The Shape of Your Table

If you’re designing a glass table top to go on top of an existing piece of furniture, the shape of the table underneath is an important factor.

Glass table tops are a beautiful way to make your table more durable. Making sure the shape of the glass aligns with the piece underneath will help prevent scratches, chips and other damage. We carry nearly every size and pattern you can imagine, so whether you need a circle, square or more abstract glass table top, we can create a piece that suits your needs.

The Thickness of Your Glass Table Top

The thickness of glass used in table tops is also up to your discretion. You might prefer the enhanced durability of a thicker material. Or, you might like the delicate look of a thinner piece of glass. People commonly choose either a ¼”, ⅜” or ½” thickness for custom glass table tops.

Golden Glass will work with you to create the perfect custom glass table top for your space. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service, combining the resources of a large company with the personal attention of a small business. We’ll fabricate each custom piece in-house, ensuring timely delivery and expert installation. Call us today at (800) 644-5277 or contact us online to tell us how we can help with your next home renovation project.