Glass kitchen tables: choice, pros and cons

Traditionally, kitchen tables have been made and are made of wood. But along with this material, as well as with metal, plastic and stone, it is advisable to use glass. Tables made from it can be no worse, the main thing is to take into account all the subtleties and nuances when choosing them.

When choosing a kitchen glass table, we must not forget that in the first place it should be practical, and its appearance plays a secondary role. All key requirements for kitchen furniture are set out in a specialized GOST. Yes, it is intended for catering establishments. However, it is all the more relevant to take into account the basic principles when selecting home furniture. Be sure to look to see if the geometry of a particular table and its structure meets the needs of people:

• his high;

• width;

• type of material used;

• sustainability;

• reliability;

• comfort.

The table legs must withstand the necessary load. An important role is played by the strength of the connection of these supports and countertops. Last but not least, they evaluate how well the table will look in a certain environment.

Glass furniture looks very nice and fits into almost all types of interior without any problems. Reflective and at the same time transparent material looks easy and pleasant. The space in the room will not be excessively cluttered. The functional properties of glass products are not inferior to other designs.

Also, you should consider such advantages as:

• undoubted environmental friendliness (almost the same as that of natural wood);

• lack of danger of decay;

• lack of bacterial and fungal infections;

• zero risk of infection with parasites.

Problems arise after a while, when there is a need to care for a glass table. The glossy surface is covered with fingerprints very quickly, and they are clearly visible. Even the most durable brands of glass are easily scratched and you need to constantly monitor that everything remains in order. Only gentle cleaning agents are suitable for cleaning.

Glass is ringing. It is enough to move some kind of cup or plate, the cutlery on it, as soon as a loud sound is heard. You have to use coasters or softeners. Food cools much faster on a glass surface than on a regular wooden table. And some people may not like the feeling of coldness when touching it.

Round kitchen table, along with more familiar quadrangular designs, is in great demand. Such furniture has been used for many centuries. You can choose a similar solution in the assortment of any self-respecting manufacturer. The shape of the circle itself is appreciated for the equal rights it demonstrates to all family members and other people. After all, each of them is equally far from the middle.

A round table is safer than a rectangular one due to the absence of corners. This circumstance is critical when the kitchen is furnished in a house with children. Quite a few people will be able to place behind him, and a leg in the middle will not hurt anyone. There are round tripod modifications. They are much more reliable and more stable than single-leg versions.

But no number of legs corrects another drawback - putting two round tables side by side is almost impossible. If the countertop is large, it will be very difficult to reach the dishes located in the middle. Because of these considerations, many people going to buy dining furniture prefer square designs. According to the requirements of ergonomics, for everyone sitting, whether adults or children, there should be at least 0.7 m of free space.

In this case, 3 people can sit at the same time. Even those who live alone are often faced with such a need. They deservedly gained considerable popularity and oval kitchen tables. Like the round counterparts, there are obviously no sharp corners. Therefore, it is precisely such a solution that is appreciated by active hospitable people.

Although the oval table will take up as much space as the round one, it will allow more people to sit. If there is very little space available, You can purchase a small model with an "oval" countertops 1 m long. As for the tables of transformers, they will also become a real find for connoisseurs of extraordinary modern styles.

Transforming Tables manufactured both in Russia and abroad. Therefore, adherents of any furniture tradition will be able to find a suitable option. At the same time, what specific material was used by the manufacturer plays an important role. Often designs are made of tempered glass (the professional name is Stalinite). The practicality of the product only increases when a sandblasting pattern is applied to the countertop.

Such models are not covered by microscopic scratches (or rather, these scratches are extremely difficult to notice). Tidying up a tempered glass surface is a pleasure. There are also three other varieties of particularly durable material:

• float glass;

• triplex;

• thermally toughened glass.

But whatever the material, people are also interested in the colors of the countertops. Glass can be painted in a variety of colors - this way it compares favorably with even the best types of wood. You can choose to match the prevailing color, and contrasting tonality. Win-win solutions are traditionally white and black.

Despite the popularity of contrasting combinations, the vast majority of people still prefer to use the same colors throughout the kitchen. In this case, the correct selection of shades plays an important role. There are enough differences by 1-2 tones to make the interior more pleasant and elegant (or, on the contrary, an indefinite vague atmosphere has formed).

Yellow, peach and other “sunny” shades cheer up, but they also stimulate appetite. Those who do not have special problems with this feeling should better focus on a more familiar and calm color scheme. In the end, if white and black are not comfortable, there is also green, and brown, and gray tones (with many halftones in each case). Another very unusual decision - tables with frosted glass. Opaque or partially transparent countertops are used very widely, it can be found in many homes.

Matting is done not from the front, but from the back. This technology allows not only to make the material opaque, but also to achieve original visual effects. The appearance will not be damaged even after prolonged use. You can always take such a table outside and calmly use it there. If you don't like the matte finish too much, you can choose options with photo printing.

The difference between the glass tables may relate to the design. The monolithic block looks like a solid tabletop, fixed on top or glued to the base. In the first case, several holes are made, which make it possible to place fixing structures. The second uses reliable and very strong adhesive mixtures.

Sliding modifications deserve a separate discussion. They are used when a small table is used every day, but at the same time you need to receive guests from time to time. Extendable tables use a relatively simple mechanism, located at the bottom of the countertop exactly in the middle. Folding tables can also be transformed as needed to increase the size.

Occasionally there are models of glass tables with wooden inserts. But they are not too practical, because the tree is damaged by water and swells. But the legs of lacquered wood are no worse than their metal counterparts.

It is appropriate to complete the review of glass kitchen tables on models with a plexiglass worktop. Such a coating lasts a very long time and impeccably preserves the appearance. The popularity of organic glass was very great in the middle of the twentieth century. Now this material is experiencing its renaissance, its demand in the furniture industry is growing again. The polymer can be obtained by casting or by extrusion. The second technology option is quite complicated and time-consuming. Therefore, it is used relatively infrequently.

In this case, the extruded polymethylmethacrylate is not sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress and shock. It is worth dropping something heavy on him, and the canvas will be broken almost irreversibly. The cast version is much stronger and more reliable during operation. You can find plexiglass of various colors. Professional designers often use the so-called soft organic glass, which:

• does not slip;

• safe to use;

• tolerates even contact with hot objects.

First of all, pay attention to the size of the furniture. Small copies are attractive for owners of small-sized real estate. Experts recommend choosing tables in accordance with the growth of the highest member of the family or a regular guest. For the convenience of lower people, use seat cushions or chairs with elongated legs.

The width of the glass table should be at least 0.6 m per 1 feeder. If it is smaller, the seated will cause each other great inconvenience. As for the depth of the countertop, it is usually 0.4 m per 1 user. However, it is necessary to reserve another 0.2 m above this, so that you can safely put a large dish in the middle and use it.

A separate conversation deserves the geometry of the table. Sometimes there are completely unusual geometric shapes. However, they are not relevant in every interior. The thickness of the tempered glass products should ideally be 0.01 m. And the minimum acceptable value is 0.008 m. High-quality products made at industrial enterprises are marked with the words "tempered glass".

Experts believe that it is best to choose versions with rounded edges. They are as convenient and practical as possible. A tabletop with tinting is more convenient than a transparent one (since it does not allow you to see the legs of other people). To find the best compromise between the required furniture sizes and the limited room area, you need to choose transforming products.

If the store or manufacturer gives a guarantee of 2 years, it is extremely useful. The highest reliability is triplex glass. Billets from it cannot cost less than 1200 rubles per 1 sq. Km. m. Such glass successfully stops even bullets fired from small-caliber handguns.

Triplex is cracked, unlike tempered glass, which nevertheless will crumble into pieces upon impact. Thermally toughened glass is stronger than usual, but less durable than tempered material. Countertops made of heat-strengthened glass are not afraid of hot objects. However, such material is divided into sharp fragments upon impact. Because it is not used too often.

In a house with young children or pets, it is advisable to use tables where the glass is framed by plastic. This significantly reduces the risk of injury. A variety of materials can be used to make the legs. However, chrome parts have the greatest visual effect. If the underframe is made of wood, it will be possible to fit the piece of furniture even into a country style; the leg in this case is also made of wood.

Discussion of the design of a glass kitchen table is useful to start with the fact that it seems too many unusual and unsuitable for home use. Such is the inertia of the past, since 30 years ago the fragility of glass did not allow making furniture out of it. Today it is most appropriate in high-tech style. To make the composition look original and complete, you need to combine glass and metal elements.

In a minimalistic hi-tech version, glass tables should occupy one of the most prominent places. An oval shape rather than a round or rectangular shape is preferred. The legs should be made strictly of metal. Glass tables look best in combination with glossy white kitchens. However, glass structures are appropriate not only in high-tech environments.

They fit perfectly into the atmosphere of Art Deco. In this case, the glitter of the glass will be the most important property - it must be used and beaten in every way. Art Deco tables have an unusual, often sophisticated shape.The countertop should be equipped with an original edging and built-in lamps. The Art Deco format implies maximum exterior luxury and a sophisticated look.

No matter how strange it may sound, glass can be used even in the style of Provence. In this case, it is used to a limited extent, and the main role is given to wooden parts. The versions equipped with forged metal legs or with the same nightstands will also look good. Much more often, however, a glass table is used in the styles of avant-garde and pop art.

To harmoniously decorate the kitchen, you can use kitchen aprons with the same photo printing. The most advanced solutions are equipped with displays connected to the Internet. As for the loft style tables, they should be placed in a fairly spacious kitchen. If the area of ​​the room is small, such a solution will not work. Glass in a loft setting becomes one of the main materials, the purpose of its use is to create a feeling of free space.

Art Nouveau style is different in that you can show maximum imagination. The selection of suitable tables is simply huge. Often the emphasis is on the color contrast of the table parts, while the same contrast should be contained in the room as a whole. In a small kitchen, a glass table will add “air”, which will help to avoid visual overflow of space.

It is often said that caring for a glass kitchen table is very difficult. It is not difficult to find stories about glass furniture that is constantly stained. But the whole point is the lack of the right approach. Immediately you need to learn a clear principle - put the plates in the sink, so it's time to collect all the dirt with a soft cloth from the table. It is not recommended to do this with rigid devices, because even the toughest glass easily breaks.

It is best to purchase special rags that are sold in hardware stores. A rubberized rag for cleaning auto glass is also suitable. Another option is a microfiber product. Using ordinary dishwashing detergents, it is not recommended to wipe the glass table. It is much more correct to use compositions for cleaning windows.

When the house has small children, you can use a weak vinegar solution. This homemade reagent is much safer than branded drugs. To less often clean and wash the surface, it is advisable to put napkins on all the dining places. Glass countertop replacement services are required less frequently if:

• Do not put dishes on it whose temperature is above 45 degrees;

• Do not place objects heavier than 50 kg on it (and ideally heavier than 30 kg);

• avoid touching the table with forks, knives, cook hatchets, scissor blades and so on;

• refuse washing with aggressive mixtures and cleaning with abrasives.

The acrylic parts of the countertops are washed with a mild soapy solution. You can rub them only with soft sponges. Dark bristle brushes and steel washcloths are strictly unacceptable. Having noticed a small scratch, you can gently, without undue pressure, fix it by rubbing with sandpaper. Further, this place is covered with GOI paste.

In the next video, see how to choose a glass table.