Although it really doesn’t matter where you’re eating when you’re hungry like a shark, a well-arranged dining table is still a must for every household dining space. It’s not only about the durability and functionality of the table we crave; it’s the overall look and elegance it adds to your dining area.
But when it comes to putting a table for having meals, most people fall into the dilemma of wood vs glass dining table. While our ancestors have been using wooden tables for ages, glass table has made its own stunning presence in the dining house.
In this article, we will be attempting to release the knots to make it easier for you to decide which one is the best choice for you!
Stay tuned till the end to get detailed insights on both types of tables!
Wood Dining Table — an Overview
Wooden tables are basically made from different types of wood, namely hardwood of maple, oak, alder, cherry, or even softwood like pine and bamboo.
Generally, wooden tables are made entirely from wood – from the tabletop to the legs. This is what makes such tables a standout from most other options.
Glass Dining Table — an Overview
While wooden tables are entirely made from wood, glass tables are a bit different in construction. Glass tables comprise of a solid glass tabletop, and the supporting frame and legs are usually made from either wood or steel.
Depending on the type of glass used, the glass tables come in different looks and feels. For example, the clear glass table is made from a solid, durable glass tabletop that protects it from damage.
Similarly, there are tinted glass, tempered glass, frosted glass, and laminated glass table tops that you can find for glass tables.
Wood vs Glass Dining Table - Which One Is Better Choice?
Okay, so now that we know about these two types of tables, it is now clear that both of these come with a lot of benefits. So in this section, we will be looking at some of the perks and disadvantages of both types of tables to mark which one wins the battle.
What Are the Benefits of Wood Table?
There are a lot of benefits you can get from a wood table. Here are some of the key advantages we have listed down.
Incredibly Durable
It’s not at all surprising that a wooden table is going to last for a long time. Even if you’re using the most average wood type, it will hardly start to wear out within 10 years. So using a high-quality wooden structure will definitely take your table-using experience to a new height.
For example, solid oak is one of the most commonly used woods for the dining tables. This type of wood can sustain pressure and heat. So if a table is made of such a solid wood, it is always going to end up being scratch and tear-resistant furniture that hardly wears out.
So wooden table has the upper hand over here in unparalleled durability.
Timeless Design
You can hardly opine that any wooden furniture is outdated in design. That’s simply not the case for a wooden finish. From the most classic furniture to the newest in town, the wooden design represents tradition, choice, and approbation.
From village to town, from store to the house — a wooden table always makes its way to any environment. With its ever-welcoming vibe, the wood table is always a center of attraction for guests in our houses.
Easy to Repair and Restore
Nothing can beat a wood table when it comes to repair and restoration. Even if a table is subject to a dent or scratch and tear, it can be easily solved within a short time. All you need is a skilled worker who knows how to do his job.
It’s a natural material that can be easily cured by natural remedies, as well. Most worn-out wooden furniture can be restored using the day to day products like vinegar and oil.
So, yes, a wooden table is definitely repairable in no time.
Easy to Maintain
What else do you need to do to keep the table clean other than simply wiping the dust once in a while? To tell the truth, that’s the only thing you need to do on a regular basis to keep the table look fresh and new.
In case you’re not following the regular cleaning process, you may need to use some vinegar and oil to keep deep clean the table once in a blue moon. So, apart from it being pretty easy to clean, a wooden table demands less maintenance, as well.
Easy to Modify
Okay, you don’t like the look of the table? Call the carpenter and make a new design altering the very same table. You can always add a new wood log but using the existing table is also quite easy in this case.
So, you don’t have to deal with a design that you don’t like for a long time. If your mood swings, simply redesign the table.
Value
Spending on making a wooden table is less of an expense and more of an investment. The value of such a table hardly reduces over time. If you don’t feel like keeping your age-old solid wooden table, you simply sell it to someone else. And be prepared to get surprised at the interest of buyers and the price they offer!
Versatile
It doesn’t matter where you’re putting a wood table. Either in your house, or in your office, or in the school — there’s no place that doesn’t suit such a masterpiece. You can see how amazingly a wood table blends with the environment in no time.
Eco-Friendly
A wood table is itself a prime example of eco-friendly production. It doesn’t ask for any harm towards the environment and doesn’t involve any harmful process in making it. So, if you care about the planet, a wood table is definitely a saver of our climate.
What Are the Disadvantages of Wood Table?
There are many negative issues with wood tables, as well. Here’s some we found.
Heavy and Bulky
Yes, a wood table is actually quite heavy. It will take at least 3 persons just to move a dining table from one place to another. Again, very few dining tables are made in a compact fashion. So a wood table is bulky, as well. It makes it really hard to fit this thing in tiny and small houses.
Water damage
Perhaps, the most pathetic issue about a wooden table is its hydrophobia. If you let the tablet soak in water for a long time after a spillage from the jug, it’s going to crack open when moisture hits in. This also happens if you keep it in a damp area or beside the window during rainy days.
Expensive
Of course, wooden tables are quite expensive for most people. Considering the durability, design, strength, and craftsmanship, a premium price tag is worth it, but still, it is not in everyone’s league.
Scratch
Unless you’re going to run a repairing session every now and then, the table is going to display a lot of scratches on it. The movement of glasses and plates on the table will eventually cause a lot of straight scratches that may reduce the appeal to some degree.
What Are the Benefits of Glass Table?
Now glass tables do have a number of advantages that you can’t unsee. Here’re some of the benefits you get using a glass table for your dining room.
Modern Furniture
There’s no doubt that glass tables are the face of modern dining tables. A good chunk of urban households now prefers a glass dining table over a wooden one, simply because these are modern and readily available at the stores.
On top of that, these glass tables cost way less than the traditional wooden tables, as well. Depending on the steel or wooden frame, you can get two units of glass tables at the price of a single wood table.
Low Maintenance Cost
There’s literally no need for maintaining a glass table. Just keep a glass cleaner around the corner and spray it around once in a while to keep the surface shining like a brand new table. Again, for food residue clean-up, you can simply wipe the table with wet cloths to restore the elegant look.
Beautiful
Speaking of elegance, the glass table is doubtlessly beautiful. You can’t help but turn your head a few times if you see a beautifully designed, transparent glass top of a table.
Ample Designs
Unlike wooden tables, glass tables do not struggle with design variety. You can literally find 4 to 5 different designs for a same-size table at the stores. Depending on the glass type and the cut, you can see the drastic difference among the designs.
Tough Glass
Although the glass table isn’t quite popular for being sturdy and tough, there are some types of glass that are quite robust, to be honest. It will take a lot of effort to break the glass into pieces.
Reflects Light and Lights Up
Another interesting perk of having a glass dining table at your home is its ability to reflect light. Being made of transparent glass, the surface reflects the light emitting from the bulb from its surroundings. This makes the dining room more bright and illuminated.
Lightweight and Portable
The best part of a glass table is that it is lighter than a wooden table. You can easily move it around if you can drag it without detaching the glass top from the frame.
Water-Friendly
You can try to drown the glass table in the water, and nothing will cause any damage to it. Because glass tables are not harmed by water or moisture. So no matter how many times you’ve spilled water on the surface or wherever you have placed the table in your house — it is never going to get damaged in any way.
What Are the Disadvantages of Glass Table?
As for the disadvantages of a glass table, we have a number of issues with it, too. Check out what we found.
Fragile
Nothing is more fragile than glass. When you have a glass table in your dining space, you must make sure you’re using it with utmost care. You’re not going to put extra pressure on the surface, never going to strike on it with anything, not even your fist, and never put a heavy load on it.
If you don’t follow these protocols, the glass tabletop will get broken in no time. No matter how hard and tough glass you use, it won’t withstand a heavy blow.
Cracks
Even if the glass surface doesn’t get broken, if it does encounter heavy pressure or blow on it, you may see one or two linear cracks on it. Similar to the look of our veins, these cracks are not repairable.
No Restoration
Unlike a wooden table, if a part of the glass table is broken or damaged, there’s no way you’re going to restore it again. It’s done, and you need to replace it with a new glass tabletop. This is always going to put pressure on your pocket, for sure.
Cleaning
Although it costs less to maintain the glass table, you must make sure you’re cleaning the table regularly. Otherwise, it may turn foggy, and transparency will reduce.
Can be dangerous
In case you leave a broken or damaged glass tabletop, it may cause harm to someone walking or moving nearby. If someone or a kid hits the table in any way, it may cause cut and bleeding, as well.
Final Verdict
So, we finally reach the deciding section of the battle between the wood vs glass dining table. As you can see, both of these table types have perks and issues of their own. You can’t really decide for an absolute winner between these two as the use and demand for both vary from person to person.
If you’re someone who admires traditional design and doesn’t compromise with strength and durability, a wood table should be a perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if the modern design and fast-paced use are what you’re up to, then choosing a glass table won’t mean a bad deal for you.
So, sit back and decide what you want from the dining table you’re planning to purchase. Once decided, go for any of the two that match your vision!
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