Shipping a custom glass table top requires meticulous care and precision to ensure it arrives at its destination in pristine condition. The fragility of glass makes it susceptible to scratches, cracks, and breakage, making the packing process crucial. Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to pack and ship a custom glass table top, emphasizing the importance of each step in safeguarding your valuable item.
1. Start with Protective Plastic
The first line of defense against scratches and minor abrasions is protective plastic. Before you pack anything else, wrap the entire glass surface in a layer of protective plastic. This can be a specialized glass packing wrap or a sturdy plastic wrap. Ensure that the plastic is securely taped and covers every inch of the glass surface. This initial layer will guard against scratches that can occur from contact with packing materials or movement during transit.
2. Secure the Corners with Thicker Protection
The corners of a glass table are particularly vulnerable to impacts. To protect them, use thicker plastic or specialized corner protectors. These protectors are designed to absorb shocks and prevent chipping or cracking, which often start at the corners. Ensure that each corner is snugly fitted with a protector, and secure them with packing tape for added stability.
3. Create a Custom Wooden Crate
A wooden crate is the most secure way to ship a glass table top. The crate should be custom-built to fit the dimensions of your glass, allowing for a snug fit without too much room for movement. Inside the crate, the glass should be immobilized using foam or cushioning materials. This additional padding will absorb vibrations and prevent the glass from shifting during transit.
4. Design the Crate as an A-Frame
The optimal design for a glass shipping crate is an A-frame structure. This design keeps the glass vertical, which is the safest orientation for transport. The vertical position reduces pressure on the glass and minimizes the risk of cracking under its own weight. Ensure the A-frame has a wide base, creating a sturdy structure that won’t topple over. The wider the legs of the A-frame, the more stable your package will be during transportation.
5. Label Clearly with “Fragile” and “Handle with Care”
Never underestimate the power of clear labeling. Use bold, unmistakable signs on the crate that say “FRAGILE” and “HANDLE WITH CARE.” This alerts handlers at every stage of the shipping process to treat your package with the extra caution it requires. Place these labels on all sides of the crate, ensuring they are visible from any angle.
6. Choose a Reputable Commercial Carrier
For transportation, select a commercial carrier with a solid reputation for handling fragile items. Discuss with them the nature of your shipment and ensure they understand the need for careful handling. Some carriers offer specialized services for fragile items, which can be worth the additional investment for peace of mind.
7. Invest in Additional Insurance
Even with the best packing and handling, accidents can happen. Therefore, it’s crucial to invest in additional insurance on top of the carrier’s liability coverage. This insurance should cover the full value of the glass table top. While it adds to the cost of shipping, it provides financial protection against the rare occurrence of damage or loss.
Conclusion: Attention to Detail is Key
Shipping a custom glass table top is a task that demands attention to detail at every step. From the initial wrapping in protective plastic to the careful construction of an A-frame crate, each aspect of the packing process plays a vital role in ensuring the safe arrival of your glass. By investing time and resources into proper packing and shipping, you significantly reduce the risk of damage, ensuring that your glass table top reaches its destination just as pristine as when it left your hands. Remember, the cost of thorough packing and insurance is a small price to pay for the peace of mind and security of your valuable shipment.
Our team of designers and glass experts is here to help you understand everything you need to know before deciding on ordering a custom glass table tops. When ordering glass table it is important to consider several points:
– First decide on the overall size and shape of the table. Our production facilities offers options to customize the shape of your table: round, oval or rectangular. You can incorporate glass furniture to become part of your interior by designing glass shapes matching the style and flow of the architecture.
– Next consideration would be the thickness. Generally you want the glass to be thick enough to maintain structural integrity. We recommend for smaller sized tables using at least 3/4″ tempered glass for table tops. It very common to use 1″ thick glass, with options to laminate two layers of 1/2″ together or use one solid glass of 1″ thickness. In special cases several layers of glass can be laminated together to create amazing thickness for glass countertops of up to 3″ thick. It is not recommended to making glass table that is less than 1/2” thick.
– Edges of the glass: it is important that you select the side finishing, that fits your need and style. Beveled or round edges are common requests for the sides of the glass table. Consider the angle of the bevel, as well as the depth from the edge to the bevel line. Contact Palace of Glass representative to help you decide what style of edging fit your designer glass table.
– In some cases holes can be made in the glass to insert some fittings or electrical outlets.
– Safety Glass: Palace of Glass glass table tops meet the safety standards and are either tempered or laminated.
– Customization of the Glass Tables can include unusual shapes and additional layers of lamination. Custom designs and logos can be engraved or etched on the surface of the glass. Colored patterns can be laser engraved to create textures and borders.
Please contact us about your next custom glass table top project and we help you customize glass per your vision and specifications.