Glass

Chemistry and structure

Glass is a silica-rich material with an amorphous structure rather than a crystalline grain. In furniture it is valued for chemical inertness, easy cleaning and the way it lets light move through a room.

The main engineering issue is brittleness. Tempering improves impact behaviour and safety break pattern, but edge damage remains critical because chips concentrate stress.

How it behaves in furniture

Glass works best on table tops, cabinet doors and shelves where the design wants visual openness and a surface that does not absorb spills or odours.

It is less forgiving in busy households than softer materials. It shows smudges quickly, can feel acoustically hard and should not be mistaken for an impact-proof material.

Care and design watch-outs

Moisture and wear note: Unaffected by humidity, but water spots and fingerprints are visible on glossy finishes.

Care note: Clean with soft cloths and protect exposed edges from point impacts.

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