Table tops made of glass: characteristics, advantages, installation

Glass table top - this is not only an attractive element in the interior of the room, but also a practical thing, characterized by convenience in daily use. About the main types, features and advantages of countertops made of glass, you can read further.

Glass kitchen tops: advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantagesglass countertops should be noted:

1. Aesthetic appearance in the interior of the room.

After installing the table top made of tempered glass, the kitchen is created in a very unusual and stylish manner. Among the variety of shapes, patterns and colors of glass countertops, each will be able to pick up the surface to your liking. Particularly good look such elements in small rooms, thereby visually expanding them.

In addition, the use of such worktops involves the installation of LED lighting, which gives the kitchen a little magic and mystery.

Glass countertops differ in the variety of surfaces: mirror, matte, multicolored, models that imitate natural stones, so this surface will fit into any type of interior.

2. High level of wear resistance and durability.

Even after prolonged use, the glass surface does not change shape and does not wear out. If you choose the optimal thickness of the glass, then it is able to withstand even greater loads. The lower layers of the glass should be laminated, and the upper, necessarily - hardened. Therefore, with proper care, the glass table top will last for several decades.

3. Easy and hygienic care.

There are a lot of different kinds of dirt in the kitchen, but it's the glass surfaces that are most resistant to them, they do not absorb dirt, so a wet cloth and, if desired, a detergent, is enough to wash the countertop. In addition, the glass is stable before the formation of fungus and mold.

4. Resistance before exposure to high temperature.

This condition is met if the tempered glass type is used. The worktops do not melt under the influence of high temperature, they are not capable of absorbing moisture or vapor, and under the influence of all these factors they do not lose their appearance.

5. Environmental safety.

It is because of natural origin that glass is a harmless material that does not release harmful substances into the environment. In addition to environmental safety, glass made of a triplex provides complete safety. In the event that it accidentally breaks, it immediately splits into the smallest parts.

Having learned about the large number of advantages of glass countertops, one should not forget about their shortcomings, which will help to determine the need to install this kind of product.

We offer to familiarize with them:

1. Friability and risk of damage.

Tables with a glass countertop are still prone to cracking when subjected to strong loads or during a stroke. After this occurs the formation of non-esthetic chips, which require an immediate replacement of the entire surface.

2. Creation of cold in the atmosphere of the room.

Although the glass speaks of the good material wealth of its owners and of the exquisite taste, but at the same time it fills the room with a kind of cold, alienation and stiffness. To save the situation, use additional items made of wood, textile curtains, pillows and warm colors.

3. Presence of a squeak and other unpleasant sounds.

In the process of using the glass produces unpleasant sounds that are not to everyone's liking. To mute sounds it is required to use different kinds of prefixes, napkins and potholders, which is not very convenient.

4. The need for frequent washing.

Although care for the glass surface and not too heavy, but it requires constant washing, since any dishes or even a touch can leave on the table top stains or marks. Glass is unstable to certain acids, which are used almost daily in the kitchen.

5. Table top made of glass: price.

To buy a glass countertop, you should spend a lot of money, as it will be too expensive, and if necessary, in ordering an individual drawing or finishing, you need to pay in addition.

Table top made of glass - a place in the interior of

An excellent addition to the kitchen will be a countertop made of glass. This element of the room, above all, attracts with its brilliance and subtlety. Such a table top easily complements any type of room, the main thing is that there are also other elements made in this technique. For the kitchen, these will be shelves, a designer apron, possibly a glass floor.

The first and most important advantage of a countertop made of glass is its eccentricity and exclusive, which it brings to the situation of the room. In this design solution, the aesthetic component and the practicality of use are perfectly matched.

Since the kitchen is a place in the territory of which there is a constant movement, food preparation, steam and moisture evaporation, the table top must have special strength. In some cases, special tempered glass is used for its manufacture, which prevents premature wear and deterioration of the material.

Among the main advantages of glass worktops, it is necessary to distinguish:

• resistance before temperature drops;
• resistance to grease;
• resistance before exposure to chemicals;
• no seams, as on the tile, for example, it avoids fungus and mold;
• the use of tempered glass allows it to withstand enormous mechanical loads.

To further increase the power of the glass countertop, a special glass is used in the form of a triplex, which has a special layer that improves its strength characteristics.

To make glass for table top use exclusively environmentally friendly materials in the form of sand from quartz, lime, soda. Therefore, the surface of the table top does not need special care. It is quite hygienic and easy to carry out disinfection works.

Another important advantage of the glass table top is the variety of its variations in accordance with the appearance of the surface. The surface of the table top is glossy - shiny and matte - more relaxed. In the variety of textual ideas and drawings, the imagination of designers is boundless. On the glass table tops, any drawings, patterns are applied, in addition, a variant of glass, stone, marble, etc. simulation is possible.

Although the tabletops are made of glass and have a high mechanical strength, there is still the risk of cracks appearing on it, under the influence of the strongest loads. To eliminate a simple chip or crack requires the help of professionals, but in most cases, the countertop requires replacement.

Therefore, during the operation of the surface, special safety precautions should be followed, and first of all, do not put hot dishes on the glass, for this there are special supports. When installing too heavy objects on the surface of the countertop, do it carefully and slowly to avoid damaging it.

If we consider the economics of buying a glass countertop, then most likely, it refers to its shortcomings, since such an element of decor is a decent price, which is several times higher than the price of alternative types of countertops.

Although you do not need to spend extra money to care for the countertop and its processing. In addition, with proper care, the glass countertop will serve several times more than the wooden countertop. Therefore, once spent, you do not have to spend again. All types of countertops are distinguished by the presence of rounded corners, in order to avoid getting injuries on sharp glass corners.

Glass countertops occupy a special place in the interior and are very popular among famous designers.

There are many original ideas that make it possible to make a glass top as the main element of the kitchen. For example, the option of installing a countertop on the surface on which the photo prints is applied will allow you to depict not only any drawing or picture on it, but even a family photo. This pattern is applied to a particularly strong glass - triplex. There are several technologies for applying photo prints to the glass surface:

• using a color film;
• film with photo printing;
• film, which shows a picture.

Unconventionality is different when glass imitates marble, stone, wood, amber, malachite or other kind of decoration. And the extremities of the table top, in this case, are processed according to the application of facet technique.

Another option for decorating the countertop is the use of a mirror glass for its manufacture. If you follow all the manufacturing techniques, then this surface will be very strong. The interior, in this case, will become lighter and more spacious.

The easiest way to make a picture on the glass table top is to use a decorative film. It will help to get the table top of exactly the shade that is needed. In addition, it is possible to apply any patterns or patterns. This method of registration is distinguished by its affordable cost and good performance characteristics.

One of the more expensive and complex ways to decorate a glass countertop is to apply ultraviolet printing. The duration of such a drawing is much higher than that of a film. In addition, it is stable before exposure to heat and steam.

To completely eliminate the risk of damage to the pattern, the image is laminated in a triplex, so the pattern remains intact all the time.

Using the techniques of stemalite allows you to achieve an extraordinary result in the design of the table top. It implies the application of a one-color pigment only to the countertop. This method involves the use of a colorant, which is mixed with the glass mass while it is being manufactured. This kind of staining has the highest durability, since the glass is baked at a temperature of 70 degrees.

Glass countertops photo:

Sandblasting of the surface allows to achieve the effect of frosted glass. In addition, it is possible to apply a variety of patterns, which on the matte surface will look even more expressive.

Some designers suggest installing various kinds of fixtures on the surface of the countertops, which emphasize its brilliance and sophistication.

The most important point of the installation of the table top is its harmony with other interior details. For example, a pattern or pattern on the surface of the countertop may be partially repeated in the decoration of walls or on curtains. The glass table top looks great with other glass elements of the kitchen.

The best stylistic solution for a kitchen or bathroom with a glass top is its hi-tech treatment. Regardless of the size of the room, such a table top fits well in any interior. In a small room, she will pass through the light streams, and thus, make the room lighter, cozier and more spacious. And in a large kitchen, the table top made of glass will look laconically and gracefully. Glass can make the environment more simple and free.

Glass top for yourself: recommendations for

In order to buy glass for countertops, it is better to contact a specialized establishment in which it will pre-cut it according to previously set parameters.

As a fastening of glass countertops we will use the frame method. It is simpler and will allow you to add the effect of lightness and weightlessness produced to the table top.

Let's try to make a table top in high-tech style, its main components will be a combination of glass and metal. For the purchase of fittings, please contact the specialist store. There will help pick up the legs of the table top, which will easily withstand the load from the glass.

Special glue is required to fix the glass and legs. Choose the glue of any manufacturer that is able to glue the glass surface to the metal. But, note that for its polymerization used ultraviolet rays in the form of a special super-power lamp, which is sold in construction stores.

The connection quality is the highest, even when you try to detach the table top from the surface, it comes off the glass.

After fixing the legs on the previously cut surface of the countertop, it remains to wait for the glue to dry out and set it in the right place. Take into account that such a table top differs more fragile than the countertop, so when handling it, you must be extremely cautious. To decorate the surface, use special paints that are designed for drawing on glass objects. A variant of sticking a special film with various patterns is possible. Such a table top will cost much less, but in appearance it will not yield to its purchase option.

Recommendations for cleaning the glass top

• Periodically wipe the surface with a clean cloth moistened with a special solution that is suitable for washing glass or vinegar. Ordinary water leaves on the surface of the stains.
• To make the table top shine, it should be rubbed with a napkin or a regular newspaper.
• Do not cut food on the countertop, use a cutting board for this. Since there is a risk of small scratches.
• When it appears on the glass surface of stubborn dirt, it is recommended to remove them using non-abrasive, creamy detergents.
• If you see small chips or deformations on the surface, contact the master immediately.

If you follow these recommendations, the top of the glass will last you for many years.