Are you looking for ways to make a glass tabletop stand out? Explore 5 creative options in our guide.
ToughGlaze has been in the glass industry since 1993. And if there's one thing we've learnt, it's that the world of glass never stands still.
It's a long way from the glassblowers of Renaissance Italy to the glass skyscrapers of the 20th century. But for all its changes, some things never change. Glass manufacturers are always looking for novel ways to balance beauty and utility.
Glass has to be durable. It has to be easy to maintain. But it also has to be beautiful, whether it's a single pane of transparent glass or a Gothic church window.
Not everyone, however, realises the options they have at their fingertips. Take, for instance, glass tabletops.
We all know what a glass tabletop looks like. But did you know you can get it customised to have a textile or mesh effect? That it can be any shade of any colour? That it can be printed with text, images and other designs? That you can press a button and watch it turn opaque?
Yes, when it comes to glass tabletops, the sky is pretty much the limit. We hope this article helps you hit on a unique and unusual idea that works for you.
1. Fabric, mesh or coloured interlayers
One of the simplest and most versatile ways to achieve a decorative tabletop effect is by using interlayers. These are textured or coloured layers that sit between panes of glass.
The choices are pretty much endless. You can experiment with fabric, mesh or colours to achieve the effect you want.
Fabric interlayers add ethereal beauty to your tabletop.
Mesh patterns, whether bronze, copper, brass or stainless steel, can conjure up anything from delicate arabesques to sturdy industrial designs.
Meanwhile, the sky's the limit when it comes to colour. At ToughGlaze, customers choose from Vanceva Color Studio's 13-colour palette. Thirteen colours may not sound like a lot – but they can be mixed in literally thousands of combinations.
But decorative doesn't mean dainty. These interlayers can be laminated between sheets of toughened glass for maximum durability – and they're waterproof, so you needn't fear spillages.
All in all, interlayers are a great way to unlock your imagination, express your personality and make your tabletop blend in with its surroundings.
2. Digitally printed glass
Digital printing is one way to get texts and graphics onto glass. And these days, the technology is capable of achieving high-resolution, almost photorealistic results.
It would be quicker to say what you can't get printed onto glass. The smell of lavender, for instance, or the concept of betrayal. Anything else can be applied to glass – and made to last.
With digital printing, your glass tabletop can become a map, a menu or a work of art. It can be personalised or made to reflect your brand identity. It can be quirky, elegant, outrageous or staid. It's all up to you.
And these days, digital printing is long-lasting. Work with a reputable processor and you can get a design that will last for as long as the glass itself.
3. Sandblasted glass
Sandblasting is a type of frosting. It involves blasting abrasive particles at glass to create a frosted effect.
When applied to a whole sheet of glass, it creates an opaque (or heavily translucent) effect. Applied using a stencil, it can add a design of your choice.
Perhaps you want to eat your meals or rest your coffee table books on an elegantly frosted surface. Or perhaps you want to customise it with a design of your choice. Whichever way you go, sandblasting can get you there.
4. Switchable smart glass
Switchable smart glass is a modern marvel. The premise is simple: it's glass that can change from transparent to opaque with just the click of a button. But its applications are broad.
At the moment, smart glass tends to be found in upmarket hotels and offices or on electric vehicle sunroofs. But why not use it to create a tabletop that changes transparency?
The beauty of a smart glass tabletop is that it draws attention to what's underneath. "Alexa, turn on the table," you could say, and reveal an arcade machine, foosball table or funky piece of art.
Smart glass makes a statement. Whatever you go for, it will catch the eye and start conversations. But it doesn't have to be for anyone else. It can just be a cool addition to your home that makes you happy.
It can also be a striking addition to a business. In a restaurant, for instance, the tabletop could turn transparent to show customers the menu. In your office waiting room, it could reveal games, branding or information about your company.
So, if you want to add class to your glass, smart glass can be a smart move.
5. Illuminated glass
What's the most important thing in a room? Is it a tangible element like the furniture, the pictures or the drapes? Or is it something more ambient, less tangible, like the temperature, the smell and the lighting?
Chances are you have your own answer to this question. But one thing's for sure: lighting is essential to the comfort and stimulation a room can provide.
In most rooms, the light comes from, well, lights, whether overhead or tabletop lamps. But have you ever considered getting a
light-up glass tabletop?
This is a great way to add light, colour and vibrancy to your interior. And if you work with the right glass processor, you can get your illuminated glass digitally printed with any design. The result: modern-day stained glass to dazzle and delight.
Are you looking for
toughened or
laminated glass sheets for a tabletop? At ToughGlaze, we cut high-quality glass to your requirements.
Get in touch today for a quick, competitive quote.
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