Custom Glass Tabletops

Here at Santa Fe Glass, we provide not only the best in commercial glass installation and repair, but also custom glass projects. That includes custom glass table tops.

Whether it’s for the living room, kitchen, or conference-style table for the office, there are countless possibilities to designing the custom glass table of your dreams. 

When choosing what you want your custom glass table to encompass, think of the size and shape you want. Look at the desired space you want to use and determine if you want an oval, rectangle, square… or even a unique, one of a kind design. 

While glass is typically clear and see through, there are many options to consider when it comes to the design of the glass itself.  ‘Decorated’ glass has etching, sandblasting, cutting or engraving, to give the glass a one-of-a-kind look. Add a splash of color with a tint, or create a sturdier look by using a deeper color throughout the glass. Keep in mind that the base of the table can even help influence what the color of the glass itself looks like. 

Now that you’ve got the design and size figured out, it’s time for arguably the most important decision of the design process…. What type of glass to use? 

A lot of people don’t realize that in building furniture that involves glass, there is more than one type of product to choose from. Unlike glass vases or decorative pieces, glass used for furniture can be made differently to accommodate the dangers and wear and tear of every day living. 

Tempered glass is a popular option in glass furniture. It’s available as clear, frosted, patterned… any way the consumer may want. It’s referred to often as ‘safety glass’, because it’s less likely to break than regular glass. This is thanks to rapid heating and cooling processes the glass endures throughout its production, making it four to five times stronger than a typical glass product. In the rare occasion that tempered glass does break, it breaks into small circular pieces, not dangerous shards.  

Another type of glass that is popular in furniture use is ‘film-backed’ glass. This product has a flexible plastic sheet applied to the back of the glass. This film holds the glass together if it’s broken, avoiding a messy and potentially dangerous clean-up job. 

If you have ideas that you want to get off the paper and into your home or business, give us a call. We can’t wait to get started.

How to Start a Custom Glass Project

Welcome to Santa-Fe Glass’s blog!! Here, you’ll be able to find stories, tips and tricks of the trade involving what we do best… everything glass. Sometimes you’ll come to us for a quick fix, other times you’ll want to do some major renovations. In honor of the New Year, we’re anticipating re-models, re-models, and more re-models. Here are some things to think about before starting any project using custom glass. 

When beginning your custom glass journey, start by deciding what exactly it is you want out of the project. You might want to rip out your shower and replace it with glass, or you might just want to fix and upgrade cracked windows or chipped glass tabletops.  

After you’ve determined what you want to replace, think money. Being realistic on your budget can avoid a lot of problems down the road, like being disappointed that you can’t afford something you want. It’ll also eliminate the dreaded issue of running out of money and not being able to finish your project. Nothing is worse than living and working in a construction zone with no end in sight. Make a list of your priorities, so if only certain things can be done at a time, it’ll be what you need most. 

Now that you have all of those practical business angles in order, it’s time to have some fun. Think about what you want your new item or space to look like. The best part about custom glass design is that the sky is pretty much the limit. Aside from the standard ‘regular’ glass most of us are used to, there are a large variety of hand-crafted glass types that can create a unique space that’s pleasing to the eye. 

Texture is more important in glasswork than one might initially think. If you decide to flip through some magazines for inspiration, you’ll discover a world of glass that you probably didn’t even know existed. Adding imperfections and designs like bubbles or lines right into the glass is a fun way to add some privacy while still allowing natural light to shine into your space. 

Take your time when planning any glass-related project for your home or work. Rushing into something you’ll most likely be looking at every day isn’t the smartest move. Make sure you’re happy with your decisions and that you love the custom glass you’ve picked! Getting exactly what you want will provide you and the people around you years of comfort and happiness.