Your Glass Coffee Table Could Explode: Here's How To Avoid It

Glass coffee tables are often preferred in the home to help create a classically upscale and enhanced aesthetic. They also create the perception of a larger space because they allow light to pass through. Their versatility and easy cleaning maintenance make them a great choice in your home, especially these incredible glass coffee table options at IKEA. A problem, however, is that for seemingly no reason at all, they can sometimes explode. It's a scary situation to have your glass table suddenly break into thousands of tiny, dangerous pieces. 

The reason that many glass tables shatter is due to the incorporation of nickel sulfide. It exists more prominently in tempered glass, where it's heated and cooled quickly for strengthening purposes. The process known as quenching creates compression outside and high tension on the inside. This little teeny tiny molecule, which is smaller than a piece of hair, gets trapped within the glass. When it's heated, the size of the molecule(s) expands, and the pressure inside the already-tense tempered glass causes it to crack or "explode" into thousands of tiny pieces. When it breaks, there is no coming back — the glass completely shatters.

If you're in the market for a glass coffee table, you should take a few considerations into account. First, do some research before you purchase any glass tables, namely, examine and evaluate various customer reviews of the product. You may come across reports from the manufacturer or consumer reviews about the glass shattering or breaking. In that case, it's probably safe to say that you shouldn't purchase that particular table. Instead, it might be a better idea to get a wooden table for your home.

If you've found the glass coffee table of your dreams, the next steps to take are about prevention. Pay attention to where you place your glass table. Sunlight can provide some great lighting in your room, but you should be careful if the sun is aimed at your coffee table. Having it in the sunshine can increase the temperature, which, in some cases, might cause it to shatter.  Also, be cautious if you have your glass table outside during seasonal changes, as temperatures may rise or fall, and that could cause breaking. So, while transforming your glass table into a fun DIY project outdoors, be careful! Finally, try to avoid placing heavy objects against or on the glass, as the pressure can sometimes cause a crack or break, especially with lower-quality glass.