How Thick Should a Glass Table Top Be?

Unlike common table materials such as wood or rattan, toughened glass doesn’t absorb moisture or stain easily, making it the perfect choice for table tops.

A clear glass table top made from toughened glass is designed to be strong and safe enough for everyday use. From coffee tables to dressing tables, office desks to dining tables, and more, they offer practicality and timeless looks.

Whether you want to prevent water marks and make cleaning easier by adding a glass table cover for protection, or you simply want to build or replace a table top made of glass, our elegant and scratch-resistant products are ideal.

However, it’s important to make sure you use the right thickness for the intended purpose. When buying a glass table top, one of the most common questions is how thick it should be – so, EGW is here to offer some answers.

This guide should clear up any confusion about the thickness of glass table tops and protectors, helping you make the right choice the first time around.

Why is glass table top thickness so important?

Whether you’re ordering glass for a stand-alone table top or a furniture protector, understanding the balance between strength, support, and aesthetics is vital.

Selecting the correct thickness for your glass table top or table top protector is a crucial decision. It’s not just a matter of aesthetics; it's a functional necessity.

Not only do glass table tops need to be resilient enough to bear their own weight and any items placed on them, but the thickness also plays a pivotal role in the effectiveness of glass table protectors in shielding the surfaces underneath.

The wrong choice of thickness can lead to breakages, resulting in unnecessary expenses – or worse, damaging the furniture you wanted to protect.

The various factors that can influence glass table top thickness include:

• Usage – Is it a table top or a table protector? Will it be used heavily or lightly?
• Location – Will it be positioned indoors or exposed to outdoor conditions?
• Size – The larger the table top surface, the thicker it needs to be for sturdiness.
• Base – What is the maximum weight the support structure can bear safely?
• Design – Thinner glass blends in more, while thicker glass makes a statement.
• Shape – Is it a standard or unique shape? Will there be overhanging edges?

Be sure to keep all of these in mind when measuring your furniture and deciding on the right dimensions for your table top or glass table protector.

How to measure glass for a table top:

Our made-to-order toughened glass products are measured in millimetres (mm), so make sure you use a tape measure that uses this measurement, or convert the number from centimetres (cm) before selecting a product.

Hold the tape measure alongside the outer edges of the surface area you want to cover and note down each measurement, rounding up to the nearest millimetre.

It’s important to allow a tolerance of 1mm to 2mm during glass production.

When measuring for a glass table top, you must decide whether you want it to fit as precisely as possible or if the edges of the glass will extend past the edges of the base area. Overhanging may be unavoidable, depending on the shape, but you should ensure this doesn’t weaken the table.

Conversely, if the glass top needs to sit within a frame or raised edge, you should account for this in your measurements and allow a little ‘wiggle room’.

Take your time and always measure everything at least twice to make sure the dimensions are as accurate as possible – because the glass can’t be cut again once it’s gone through the toughening process!

How thick should table-top glass be?

The right thickness depends on the table. A smaller table can remain stable with thinner glass, while a larger table will require thicker glass to make it stronger.

As the thickness of the glass increases, so does the weight and cost.

For glass table tops serving as the primary surface, a minimum thickness of 8mm is advisable. However, for added durability and to accommodate heavier objects, a 10mm thickness is often recommended for glass tables.

It's essential to consider the table base's ability to support the weight of thicker glass, as opting for a heavier glass without adequate support can compromise the table's integrity. Avoid using glass that’s too thin or too heavy.

Table top glass thickness in mm:

Here is a general guide to the minimum thicknesses for different table types:

• 6mm to 8mm – Small coffee tables, side tables, sideboards
• 8mm to 10mm – Large coffee tables, small dining tables
• 10mm to 12mm – Medium-size dining tables or standalone desks
• 12mm to 15mm – Large dining tables, heavy-use desks
• 15mm to 19mm – Large statement pieces or heavy-duty tables

Here at EGW, we offer 6mm and 10mm thick glass for table tops or protectors, which is suitable for tables ranging in size from 500mm to 3,000mm.

If your table has different requirements, you can contact us to enquire about our bespoke glass services, and we’ll see what we can do for you.

How thick should a glass table protector be?

Glass table covers are a great way to protect furniture surfaces from damage, be it a living room coffee table, a bedroom dressing table, an office desk, a kitchen sideboard, an indoor or outdoor dining table, or anything else.

As glass table top protectors sit on top of tables, covering the actual table tops to safeguard the existing surfaces, thinner glass is usually sufficient.

For smaller table protectors, the glass can be as thin as 4mm and still protect the surface well. For tables above 500mm, a standard 6mm thickness is adequate, providing a balance between protection and subtlety.

This thickness is the most common, as it provides safety while still allowing you to see through to the surface below without distortion.

However, for those desiring a more pronounced look or additional heft, thicker options are available – though you should always keep the weight implications on the underlying table in mind when choosing the cover thickness. 

What's the best thickness for a glass table top?

Deciding on the ideal thickness for your glass table top or glass protector hinges on understanding your specific needs – balancing aesthetics with functionality.

For stand-alone table tops, err on the side of thickness for strength, matching the weight of the glass to the table base’s load-bearing capacity. Glass protectors can afford to be thinner, emphasising subtlety and lightness. 

While we offer a variety of sizes of rectangular, square, and round glass sheets for table tops in 6mm and 10mm thicknesses, we understand that some tables may have more unique dimensions, or you might prefer a different glass finish.

If you want to order a custom glass thickness for a table top, you need specific cut-outs, drill holes, or corner finishes, or you’re interested in frosted or tinted glass instead of clear, please talk to our team to discuss your options.

We will gladly provide a quote for a bespoke glass table top or table protector if we’re able to manufacture one to your exact specifications. 

Order Glass Table Tops Online from EGW

Your go-to expert in toughened glass solutions, Express Glass Warehouse offers a wide range of glass table tops and protectors suitable for various applications, both indoors and outdoors, and domestic or commercial.

Should you have bespoke requirements or need further assistance determining the perfect thickness for your table, you can call the EGW team on 020 8500 1188 or send an email to info@egw.co.uk for customer support.

Our team is here to provide the guidance and high-quality products you need!