How To Protect Your Tables (2024)

How To Protect Your Tables (1)

If you're looking to replace a broken/scratched table, or purchase a new glass table top, t's worth considering acrylic furniture protectors. Acrylic table tops can offer an extra layer of protection to any furniture item. Available in both clear and an array of coloured materials, acrylic (perspex) can act as an alternative to glass or give you a whole new look!

Here at The Plastic People, we are suppliers of clear acrylic furniture protectors - cut to any size or shape. They are one of our most popular products as this plasticoffers a range benefits over glass and other traditional furntiure materials. Click here to check out our rangeof clear, coloured and mirroredfurniture protectors.

In this blog, we are going to discuss the perks of choosing acrylic for your home and garden decor, and also provide you with the knowledge you need to install your own furniture protector! If you need any extra information on acrylic, furniture protectors, or anything else to do with plastic, get in touch with our customer services team today. They can be emailed at service@theplasticpeople.co.uk.

Why Acrylic?

How To Protect Your Tables (2)There are several perks and benefits associated with choosing acrylic (aka perspex/plexiglas) over other traditional furniture materials such as glass and wood/veneers. Here are our top three:

  • Price:Acrylic is the cheapest way to replace or add a table top to any furniture item. What's more is, we do all the hard work for you, cutting the plastic to the correct size and shape,so all you have to do is attach it. With such a wide range of colours and finishes available, it's hard to see why you wouldn't opt for acrylic!
  • Strength:Acrylic is an incredibly durable material. It is ten times stronger than glass and shatterproof, meaning that instead of breaking into lots of small and sharp pieces, acrylic snaps into larger and easily disposable chunks. Acrylic is also incredibly hygienic - can be wiped clean - and safe around children.
  • Usability:Finally, acrylic is an easy material to work with. It is half the weight of glass, and so simple to transport and move around your home. This means that any one can install an acrylic table top with ease. Acrylic is a forgiving material too, you can remove scratches and other chips from the surface to keep it looking brand new. Make sure to check out our blog on maintaining acrylic if you are interested, click here to read more.

Where do you use Acrylic Furniture Protectors?

The easy answer to this question is: anywhere! The primary spaces that our customers use acrylic furnitures tops are for:

  • Dining Tables
  • Side Tables (including bedside tables)
  • Coffee Tables
  • Desks
  • Garden Tables
  • Children's furniture

How To Protect Your Tables (3)Acrylic table protectors are also especially useful for events and celebrations such as birthdays, weddings, Christening receptions, Christmas and New Year when the table is a key focus – dressed to impress, adorned with arrangements and decorations.

Acrylic table protectors are a stylish way to safe guard and protect the table from the inevitable damages, spills and chips. Should the festivities get out of hand, acrylic will not break and shatter like glass!


Choosing & Installing Your Acrylic Table Top

If you are not sure which thickness to choose for your table cover or table protection, then typically start looking from 3mm acrylic upwards. For an acrylic table top or desk top which is supported by a frame look from 10mm acrylic upwards. It will depend on the overall size of your table top or desk top – the thicker the acrylic you choose, the more rigid the acrylic table top will be.

Acrylic can be cut to any size and shape so whether you have a round table and need an acrylic disc or a rectangular or square table you can use acrylic. Simply measure the length and width of your furniture – or diameter for circular tables – and order acrylic to these sizes in order to cover the top of your table or piece of furniture. You can get an instant quote via our website's personalised calculator. Click here to check it out today.

To secure the acrylic panel on your table and prevent it from moving, we recommend using self-adhesive rubber stops. One at each corner of your table will ensure complete stability. Remember to add a pack to your order when checking out our store!

How To Protect Your Tables (4)For a premium look, go for a reasonable thickness of either 4mm acrylic or 5mm acrylic. Have the edges of the cut to size acrylic well-polished and you will have aninstant shine and sheen. When placed on your table top, the acrylic will look just like a protective glass top but a better choice, we think, because it is much lighter than glass and much stronger than glass.

In the Garden

Acrylic can also be used as protection for outdoor furniture. Most wood and metal garden furniture requires some maintenance/cleaning every year - and protection throughout harsher winter weather. Common advice is to store your garden furniture indoors over winter, but if you are not able or don’t want to do that, what solutions exist that will protect your furniture?

Solutions people turn to typically include applying protective paints and treatments which vary depending on your choice of garden furniture. Metal furniture needs to be protected from rusting and applying a rust preventing paint around every two years can maintain a barrier to weather. Wooden garden furniture needs to be protected from rotting and dirt build up.

We, however, recommend using an acrylic table top to protect your garden furniture from the elements all year round. The plastic top stops rain, debris and other items from damaging your furniture and requires very little upkeep. Any scratches can be buffed out and it's easy to keep acrylic looking brand new by using plastic polishes,such as VuPlex.

That brings us to the end of this guide on acrylic and protecting your tables/furniture from everyday wear and tear! If you need any further advice, get in touch with our customer services team today. You can contact them via our website - click here.

We love to see our customers' photos of their brand new and installed table protectors! Feel free to reach out via email with your images, or message us on social media. We are @barkstonplastic on Twitter and Instagram, or you can click here to reach our Facebook page.

How To Protect Your Tables (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to protect a table? ›

Use placemats and coasters to act as a barrier between hot plates, liquids, and the table's surface, preventing heat marks and water rings. Cover your dining table with a tablecloth or table runner to add an extra layer of protection against scratches and spills.

How do you protect a table during a party? ›

Hide a couple pieces of cling wrap under your tablecloth and protect your table from party spills and drips. It is cheap and easy!

How do I protect my table from drinks? ›

Coaster FAQs

If you want to protect your table from water and heat, we recommend looking for a coaster with a lip around it or a porous surface that will keep water from rolling off. Feet on the corners or good insulation will also add protection against heat.

How do you protect a table from scratches? ›

Utilize Tablecloths

Linen or cotton tablecloths are an inexpensive way to protect your table from scratches and sun damage, while simultaneously adding a touch of elegance to your home. However, even with a tablecloth, coasters will have to be used, especially for hot pans or dishes.

What material to protect tables? ›

Selected especially for you
  • Anti-slip table cloth molton Professional. Anti-slip table cloth molton Professiona... ...
  • Clear table cloth 0,5mm. Clear table cloth 0,5mm. ...
  • Clear placemats. Clear placemats. ...
  • Felt table protector. ...
  • Round coasters. ...
  • Clear PVC tablecloth 2mm Glossy. ...
  • Vinyl tablecloth matte. ...
  • Clear plastic cover 1mm.

What is the best material to protect table top? ›

Attaching a polycarbonate table top made of polycarbonate sheet to your wooden table will protect it from scratches and stains. At the same time, you can still enjoy the look of wood. You can not only use a plastic table top as a table protector but also make a new table with it.

How do you protect furniture during a party? ›

Protect your furniture

Buy slipcovers or large throw blankets that you can easily clean if something were to fall on the fabric.

What can I use as a table top protector? ›

Protecting your furniture is easy to do - Acrylic (Plexiglass) is easy to fabricate and can be cut to any size and shape. Whether you have a rectangular desk or a square table, we can bring your vision to life with our cut-to-size services.

How do I protect my table from stains? ›

One is to use a furniture protection. These are usually made of fabric or plastic and can be placed over your furniture to protect it from spills and stains. Another option is to use a furniture sealant. This is a clear liquid that you can apply to your furniture that will create a barrier against spills and stains.

How do I protect my table from hot pans? ›

Anything placed on a table to protect it from a hot pan can be called a trivet. If you forget to use a trivet under a pot of chili, your table might end up with a big scorch mark.

How do I stop my table from cupping? ›

A straight cleat, screwed to the underside of a drop-leaf table, an extension table, or a pedestal table, is a simple and effective way to keep a top flat. don't use glue here, however, or the top won't be free to expand and contract with changes in humidity, and that could cause the top to crack.

How do you protect a raw wood table? ›

Polycrylic topcoats are my sealer of choice for most projects, as they don't tend to yellow as often as polyurethane. Clear furniture wax can also be used to seal natural wood projects. Furniture wax provides a soft, silky finish to a piece, which can be lovely.

What tables don t scratch easily? ›

Melamine. Melamine is very durable and easy to clean, giving you great value for your money. The material is a smart choice for families with children since it's moisture and scratch-resistant and can withstand spills, banging toys, crashes and splashes.

What can you put on wood to protect it? ›

Apply a coat of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer to protect the wood from penetrating humidity and moisture that can seep into your deck and other outdoor wood furnishings. 2. Finish and waterproof wood with a professional-grade wood stain and sealer combo and repaint when necessary.

What is the best protection for a wooden table top? ›

There are many wood oils that can be used on table tops but for the best durability and longevity, we recommend 'Hard Wax Oils' such as Manns Premier Top Oil or Osmo Top Oil. Hard wax Oils are quick and easy to apply, maintain and repair.

What is the best way to protect an outdoor wood table? ›

Use a Sealer

One of the most important steps you can take to protect outdoor wood furniture is to use a sealer. A sealer is a transparent finish that is applied to wood to protect it from moisture. Sealers work by penetrating the wood's pores and preventing water from entering.

How do you protect a bare wood table? ›

If you leave furniture raw without applying a new coat of wax or poly you are taking a risk of your furniture drying out, cracking, swelling or staining. To limit wood damage, preserve furniture AND keep it looking natural you'll want to seal raw wood with Liming or Cerusing wax.

What do you use to seal a wood table? ›

Oil-based polyurethane is the strongest, most durable topcoat. This clear finish protects heavy traffic areas in a home or items exposed to a lot of moisture, making it a good choice for wooden floors, outdoor furniture, etc.

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