The Pros and Cons of Glass Countertops

Glass countertops have quickly shifted into the mainstream and are now in popular demand amongst homeowners looking to add stylishly elegant to the kitchen. But perhaps their most appreciated is their versatility.

They offer homeowners a wide variety of different styles, ranging from back-painted glass, crushed glass, textured glass to even glass with LED. You certainly won’t be short of options or reasons why to opt for glass countertops.

But just like with any kitchen countertop, glass offers its fair share of drawbacks, making it important for you to fully understand all of the pros and cons to see if it’s the right fit for you. But don’t worry, we’ve done all of the hard work. Read on to discover all of the advantages and disadvantages of glass countertops.

The Pros

Glass Countertops are Eco-friendly

If you strive to have an eco-friendly lifestyle, then opting for a glass countertop will certainly complement your green approach. This is because glass is a recyclable material. Your countertop can be made from pieces of recycled glass that have been melted into a solid single piece. This goes a long way towards sustaining the environment since the glass used would otherwise have been sent to a landfill.

Increased Durability

Worried about discolouration and scratches? If you like your kitchen countertops to be pristine, then you won’t need to worry about glass! The great thing about glass countertops is that they’re very durable and can even withstand damage from hot kitchen objects.

Low Maintenance

One of the most convenient characteristics of glass countertops is that they’re deficient in maintenance compared to other materials. Being non-porous, they’re able to inhibit the spread of bacteria, making them extremely sanitary and very easy to clean.

Wide Variety of Design Options

Crushed glass provides a unique and beautiful aesthetic effect that can add a real sense of character to your kitchen.  Crushed glass is always configured differently, promising you a unique design that won’t be mimicked elsewhere. With so many colour options and combinations available, you have an endless variety to choose from.

Embedding crushed glass with concrete will produce a more mosaic appearance, whereas acrylic will create a more liquid effect. These are only a couple of examples of how much flexibility glass provides when it comes to design.

The Cons

Difficulty fixing cracks or chips

Although glass kitchen countertops tend to be very durable, it can be difficult to fix surface chips, cracks or breaks. If a huge and heavy object is placed on a non-supported area, the corner, for instance, there’s a good chance that the glass could crack.

This can be problematic since repair costs are likely high, and sometimes the repair is impossible. In the worst-case scenario, you may be forced to replace the entire piece.

Glass countertops can be expensive.

In comparison with other materials, glass countertops are less budget-friendly. Depending on your taste, you will have to spend a lot of money on certain designs as well as on high-end glass. Also, getting a professional to install a glass counter is a must because of the risk of cracks and chips.

Installers have the professional experience to ensure that the installation process is done effectively and without damaging the glass. The only downside to this is that hiring a professional will increase the overall cost of opting for a glass countertop.

Final Thoughts

Glass countertops definitely offer a range of benefits for any homeowner looking to add a splash of colour to their kitchen. Their exciting range of colour combinations gives homeowners great flexibility when choosing the right design to match their tastes. If you’re a fan of anything contemporary, then glass countertops should be high up on your list.

Equally, if you’re looking for an eco-friendly option, the glass will tick all of the green boxes. However, be aware of the potential for irreversible damage when a glass countertop is chipped since it is likely that you’ll have to pay for an entire new piece. This is arguably the biggest drawback to glass countertops: they could be costly compared with other materials in the long run.

Make sure to read our ultimate guide on choosing the right kitchen worktop, where we provide you with a complete overview of the different surfaces available.