One of the key elements of any home design is integrating the right décor for each of your rooms. In some rooms the design comes naturally and the atmosphere of the room is already established. For other rooms, integrating the various aspects of the room is tricky. Big screen televisions tend to be one of those trickier items to incorporate into the decorating. The decision of whether or not to mount the flat screen on the wall can be difficult to make. Many find that a better solution for their needs is integration of a glass TV stand into the room. An elegant, sleek, or simple glass stand can really accentuate your décor, and provide a much needed mantle for your flat screen television.
Although you are certainly not limited to either wall mounting or glass TV stands, many homeowners have found that these two options provide them with the sophisticated feel that they are looking for. Often the decision comes down to logistics as well. Wall mounting is not always appropriate or even possible in some homes. As such a clean, stylish stand is the perfect alternative.
Are Glass TV Stands Stable?
One of the first concerns purchasers will have when considering a glass stand is whether or not the structure is sufficiently stable for their equipment. Where big screen television can cost upwards of several thousand dollars, there is an inherent desire to protect this investment. A flimsy or poorly made stand could lead to disaster for your electronics.
Fortunately, most consumer grade glass stands will be more than sufficient strength for the average home user. Not only can most stands hold upwards of several hundred pounds, they are also designed specifically for the equipment. If the weight of your television is a concern, be sure to note the maximum weight or capacity of the particular stand that you are evaluating. Most manufacturers are careful to note the specifications on each of their stands.
Because of the intricacies of designing glass based furniture, the support structure is very carefully designed. Brackets, pads, mounting braces, and any number of other creative methods are used to secure the glass sheets to the framework.
Frames are typically made of tubular steel construction, heavy-duty diamond shaped tubing, or some form of solid wood framing, and can combine any combination of the above into the design. Powder-coating and other additions are also frequently found on the frame.
Because of the unique requirements of the top glass, this piece is often of greater thickness than the support shelves. This allows the stand to accommodate heavier equipment, namely your big screen television or other centerpiece.
The size of the stand will also be dependent upon your needs as a consumer. Some people prefer to purchase a stand that is as wide or wider than their actual television. They do so in hopes of minimizing the risk of tipping the television over or accidently bumping into it. This is certainly not necessary however. Many find that as long as the stand is as wide as the base of the television, some overlap is neither unsightly nor particularly dangerous.
Is There A Way To Protect The Glass On The TV Stand?
Another concern that glass TV stand purchasers face is whether or not the glass is a sustainable as a base surface. The vast majority of glass stands are made with tempered glass. This is simply glass that has been processed with treatments designed to increase the strength of the glass. The glass is also designed to shatter into small pieces rather than into sharp shards when broken, although this will rarely ever be a concern for the home user.
For the most part, your glass tabletop will be specially designed to withstand scratching. And while movement on the table should be minimized, there is certainly some protection built into the glass. Between the scratch resistance and tempered glass, the TV stand is actually quite resistant to chipping as well. Some manufacturers have even added some diamond coating the glass to increase each of these durability factors.
Can You Use A Glass Stand For A LCD Or Plasma?
As noted above, a concern many people have regarding their stand is whether or not it can support their plasma or LCD television. Not only are these stands excellent for this purpose, there are a number of custom made tables that are designed specifically for LCDs and Plasma screens. See our article on the Glass Plasma TV Stand for more specific information.
Needless to say, the glass in these stands is an excellent way to showcase your television, and really meet the flat screen beautifully in design. There is really nothing better to accentuate your modern television set than find the perfect glass TV stand for your home.
What Different Styles Of Glass TV Stand Are Available?
Once you have determined that a glass television stand is the right choice for you (and you will inevitably come to this conclusion), picking the right style is the next step in the process. Fortunately for you, there are hundreds and thousands of different styles, designs, and types of glass stand already on the market. After a little time shopping around for the perfect unit, you should find a piece that works excellent for your individual circumstances.
One of the more striking changes that you can add to your glass top TV stand is colored or smoked glass. The glass can come in a number of different colors and shades, really allowing you to match the piece to your home décor and/or your television set. Combined with the unique framing of the unit, you can really end up with a striking piece of furniture in your home. Many find that a black glass TV stand is a striking addition to their modern themed room.
An added benefit of the glass structure is that it is typically easy to clean. The surface doesn’t require any particular wood finishing or retouching after years of use, and can simply be wiped down from time to time.
As you are picking the style, be sure to anticipate the location of the stand in your intended room. Different styles of stand are available for just about any arrangement you have in mind. Anything from the standard stand to a glass corner TV stand should be of little difficulty to find.
One last consideration when choosing the stand is the functionality of the layout. You will want to consider the peripheral equipment that will also need storage on your tv stand. VCRs, TiVo, DVD Players, and other electronics should have a natural location and fit seamlessly into the rest of the design.
How Much Can I Expect To Pay?
The price range on glass TV stands can actually be quite broad. Depending on the quality and style that you are looking for, you can typically find something in the range of several hundred dollars. There will obviously be high and low outliers, but the bulk of the units fall within a couple hundred dollars. For cheaper units, look for discount shops or secondhand retailers. The upscale models can be found from specialized shops around the internet.
Your new glass TV stand will be a much welcomed addition to your home décor and can provide you the sleek, sophisticated look you are looking for from your furniture. Finding the perfect glass stand should only be a matter of matching your needs with the proliferation of online retailers offering the product.
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