7 More Durable Glass Table Top Alternatives

Last updated on September 11, 2024

It’s important to choose the right glass table top not only for safety but for aesthetics as well. Here are some alternatives you can try.

What is the best glass table top alternative? The answer depends on many factors. This includes budget, the kind of table you have, where your table glass is located, and the style you’re going for.

While regular glass looks fine, it’s not the best option because it’s not as durable and safe. It’s prone to breaking, scratches, dents, and discoloration.

Make your table look classier and more sophisticated without compromising the longevity of your table. We have several options you can use below.

Acrylic Glass

A traditional table glass top may look amazing, but its longevity can be disappointing. Replace this with a more durable alternative, such as acrylic glass. If you have hyperactive kids or pets at home, watch for glass damage due to accidental bumps and falls.

Acrylic is 17x stronger than normal glass so that it won’t shatter as easily despite rough handling. It will even provide better light transmission with its clear surface and help you create the illusion of a bigger space. Acrylic also weighs less than typical glass, making it a breeze to handle for moving and cleaning.

Polycarbonate

Consider buying polycarbonate glass if you don’t mind spending more on a durable tabletop. This material is up to 250x stronger than regular glass to the extent that it can stop a bullet from passing. You’ll see it in many helmets, bank booths, canopies, and roof domes.

A polycarbonate table top is perfect for outdoor furniture since it can tolerate high temperatures and harsh weather conditions. However, placing it in shaded areas like a covered patio is still a good idea since the material is less resistant to UV rays than acrylic.

Tempered Glass

Tempered glass is popularly known as the tough scratchproof surface on smartphones and other products, but bigger panels are available for table tops and other applications. Depending on the specific manufacturing technique, it can achieve up to 7x the strength of regular glass. Alternate heating and cooling help tempered glass reach a high breaking point of around 24,000 PSI.

It is a safer alternative to normal glass because it breaks into small harmless pieces. Pets and kids won’t be in harm’s way even if they make the table fall over. Furthermore, tempered glass has high optical clarity thanks to its transparent surface.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is made from multiple materials, including impact-resistant glass and clear adhesive. The adhesive layer keeps the panel together in case of damage, preventing dangerous shards from flying in all directions and hurting the passengers. Your car’s windshield is a prime example of this.

Flat laminated glass can be a solid tabletop option, given its durability and safety. While its impact resistance is not as high as polycarbonate glass, it will maintain its integrity as it breaks to protect people from harm. It is not as fragile as normal glass, yet it can provide the same level of transparency and achieve a similar effect.

Recycled Plastic

If you are concerned about the environment, you should search for recycled materials that are sturdy enough to act as a tabletop. Recycled plastic is abundant, strong, sturdy, and affordable. You can find eye-catching designs that mimic wood and other materials, so you don’t have to worry about the aesthetics of your new table.

Plastic waste is a major problem worldwide because it worsens pollution and endangers animals that ingest trash. Everyone can help solve this problem through greater awareness and better choices. Use recycled plastic whenever possible for your tabletop or other household items.

Recycled plastics can offer multiple colors to your glass-look table top.

Perspex Sheet

You can use a Perspex sheet as a tabletop protector or the tabletop itself. This protects it from moisture, stain, heat, scratches, and impact. For example, you may have it cut to size to fit the surface of your existing wooden table.

Choose a clear Perspex sheet or go for a panel that mimics the “glass look” with a slight green tone along the edges. Select the thickness according to your intended application, with the discussions ranging from 2mm to 30mm. The cuts may look sawed, polished, or buffed.

Plexiglass

Plexiglass is a preferred tabletop replacement for people who want a shatter-proof alternative. It is a cost-effective way to extend the service life of existing patio furniture once the original glass is gone. If the metal or wooden supports remain intact, you can keep reusing the pieces with different table surfaces.

Expect Plexiglass to provide 7x the impact resistance of regular glass. Despite being much stronger, the panel will be lighter and easier to handle. You can choose different styles, including clear, opaque, textured, and colored options.