Problems Related to a Glass Coffee Table
A glass coffee table looks stylish, modern and elegant. It is often the centerpiece of the living room, a beautiful statement piece. However, despite their great looks it is extremely easy for glass coffee tables to start having problems.
Maintenance
Glass coffee table require more maintenance than other material, such as wood or metal. The glass surface must be regularly cleaned and polished to maintain its shine. Any dust and dirt particles must be removed with a soft cloth, so as to not scratch the glass surface. If not properly cleaned, the glass table can start to look dirty, dull and lacklustre.
Durability and Weakness
Glass tables are highly vulnerable to breakage. Even a slight bump or knock can cause them to crack or shatter. If you have children or pets, you should be particularly wary. You can mitigate the risk to some extent by using tempered, instead of regular, glass. This type of glass is much stronger and unlikely to crack or shatter.
Scratches and Other Damage
Another common problem with glass tables is that they are easily scratched. The glass surface can be easily damaged by moving furniture, pets and of course human error. These scratches can be extremely difficult and expensive to remove, if at all possible. To mitigate this risk it is a good idea to opt for smoked glass, which won’t show scratches as easily.
Weight and Movement
Glass coffee tables are heavier than other materials due to the sheer weight of the glass itself. This makes them more unwieldy to move, and there is always a risk of dropping it while moving it, especially on stairs etc.
Moreover, glass tables cannot easily be taken apart and reassembled. This makes them quite hard to move, even when lifting them carefully.
Tips
To minimize the risks associated with a glass coffee table:
- Regularly clean and buff the surface – A regular cleaning schedule is essential for all glass surfaces, this will also help maintain the table’s shine and prevent corrosion.
- Always use tempered glass – Tempered glass is much stronger than regular glass and therefore much less likely to break or crack.
- Opt for smoked glass – Nick and scratches will be less visible on smoked glass, as the smoky surface will help conceal imperfections.
- Take extra precautions when moving – Always make sure to wrap the glass in protective padding when moving, to protect it from scratches and bumps.
Taking the above tips into consideration will ensure your glass coffee table looks beautiful and serves you well for many years.
