Which material is best for your dining table?
Comparison between Wood, Stone and Glass dining tables?
Our clients come to us and often ask - "what is the best dining table to buy"?
This is an excellent question, and we certainly need to know the answer. The choice you make before buying your new dining table is the one you will have to live with for a very long time, and it is essential to consider how your new dining table will work with your lifestyle, how it will fit and evolve with your interior and if it works with your budget?
At Martelo and Mo, we only make hardwood dining tables, but a wooden dining table might not be the best choice for you. In fact, a marble or glass table might be a better option.
In our blog, we clearly outline the most popular materials for dining tables and their pros and cons, and we hope that by the end, you will be able to identify the best fit for you and your home.
Wooden Dining Tables - Solid Wood, Ply and Veneered MDF
A few types of dining tables fall under the wood category - solid wood - softwood like Pine and hardwoods such as Oak, Walnut and Maple, and engineered or composite woods, which include plywood and MDF, which are durable and economical but will never be as strong as a hardwood.
Image Credit: Taran Wilkhu, Interior Design by Bergman & Mar, 101 on Cleveland, Fitzrovia
Design & Character
Wood is a prevailing choice of material for a dining table. The attractiveness of natural wood grain adds character and inviting appeal to any home. There are endless design options that work with both modern and traditional settings. Hardwood dining tables with timeless design and sturdy construction will last for generations and can become your family heirloom.
On the other hand, wooden dining tables may look overpowering, especially in a tiny room with less natural light, as they are rich in colour and draw a lot of attention. Hence it's vital to ensure that a wooden table suits the room's size and makes it feel ample.
Lifestyle
High-quality wood dining tables are often heavier than most other tables. Hardwood dining tables are generally easy to restore, and most damages can be fixed. However, antiques and more unique wooden tables may require a specialist to repair them, but generally, any practical person can fix them.
If you get tired of the design or colour, some wooden tables can be refurbished to your liking, effectively making it a more environmentally friendly choice. The farmhouse and industrial-style tables embrace the cracks, scratches and nicks, which are part of the design feature and qualities to admire. Those are the perfect choice for families with children where an extra dent won't even be noticed.
Veneered and MDF tables are also lighter in weight, and if you are renting your home or have yet to find your style, they are a perfect temporary solution. However, those are less resistant to damage and may have weaker construction than a solid wood table.
The wood dining table will need to be cleaned routinely and cared for appropriately. Natural timber reacts to moisture, and the grain rises if the water is left on the surface. It can also shift, move and crack when exposed to drastically changing temperatures, for example, when your table is too close to the fireplace. Placemats, table cover and coasters are essential as it is more vulnerable to stains from substances like red wine, coffee, tea and vinegar.
Image Credit - FINDDA - Chalet Blackcomb, Val d'Isere
Budget
Prices for wooden dining tables vary, depending on the material, design and construction.
Generally, softwood and MDF tables, which are mass-produced abroad, come with smaller price tags (£150-£1,500) than solid wood dining tables. The mid-range bracket of £1,500-£4,000 includes more distinctive designs in ply, hardwoods, and hardwood veneered MDF. Handcrafted hardwood tables, antique finds, and one-of-a-kind bespoke commissions fall under the high-end range from £4,000 and up, primarily when hardwoods like walnut or burl are used, and there are a lot of handcrafted details incorporated into the design.
Stone Dining Tables - Marble, Granite & Quartz
Stone dining tables are known for their durability, and they can last you up to 30 years or more with proper care. Stone tabletops have a timeless appeal and are always in fashion, especially the stunning jaw-dropper - Marble.
All three are classified as "Natural" because they're stone. But only granite and Marble are "natural stones" because they are mined and don't go through a manufacturing process. On the other hand, quartz is "engineered" because it's crushed and mixed with pigment.
Images Credit: Bergman and Mar - Triptych Apartment in Bankside.
Design & Character
Marble and granite slabs are unique because they are mined, not fabricated. There won't ever be two identical slabs, and each is unique.
Quartz is engineered in a way that many slabs look similar and won't look as "natural" as Granite or Marble. It also can be mixed with many different dyes, meaning a wider variety of consistent colours is available. While Granite and Marble's slabs often have a similar feel, the selection is endless, and many different colours and vein patterns are available.
Image Credit: Leibal, Clinton Hill Townhouse by Ronen Lev
Lifestyle
One of the significant downsides of Marble and Granite is maintenance.
Granite and Marble are porous stones, meaning that spilt liquids can seep and stain their surface. Marble is especially vulnerable to acidic drinks like wine and juice; both need to be resealed and polished twice a year.
Quartz, on the other hand, is non-porous. It doesn't stain easily, which also makes it easier to clean.
Stone tables look premium but are very heavy, and they may get a break when you try to change their position. Once your stone table has been chipped, cracked, scratched, or stained, restoring it can be challenging. You may be able to make some repairs to it yourself; however, the expertise of a professional is often required, which means the repair will be costly.
Image Credit: Interior Fox - Avantgarde Places.
Budget
Tables crafted from high-quality imported Marble or Granite are a significant investment. There's no "cheap" option if you want a quality stone dining table. Granite and Marble aren't inexpensive, though some slabs are less pricey than others. Out of the three, quartz is the most affordable option.
Glass
The glass dining table is elegant and easy to clean. It's also an attractive, timeless table alternative that can turn most dining rooms into design-worthy statements. It is a less chosen dining tabletop material, but certainly worth considering.
Design & Character
Glass-top dining tables work great with myriad design styles and are an excellent choice for small and dark spaces for their reflective surface.
Because of its transparent surface, a glass table creates an illusion of your dining area being wider, which can work marvels in smaller and darker rooms that already feel cramped.
Glass dining tables are a stylish choice in modern or contemporary spaces and come in various shapes, sizes and styles.
Lifestyle
Nowadays, most glass dining tables are made with tempered safety glass, resistant to heat and scratches and won't shatter if knocked.
A tremendous benefit of glass dining tables is that it's a non-porous material. It's a breeze to clean up whether you've spilt some red wine or need a quick dusting. This is excellent news if someone in your family is a skilled dropper.
The downside to glass maintenance is that it'll need to be cleaned more frequently than wooden alternatives, as glass surfaces show fingerprints and cloudy spots.
Even though glass dining tables are relatively durable, accidents may still happen. There may be better choices than a glass table if you have active kids and pets running around the house. If the glass breaks, it'll shatter into thousands of fragments, which could result in an injury. If you still opt for one, stick to the tempered safety option with round and oval-shaped designs. If you were hoping for a square or rectangular table, consider choosing a model with protected or rounded edges.
Image Credit: Side Gallery, Glass Dining Table and Sliced Stools: Manufactured by Sabine Marcelis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands 2019
Budget
Glass dining tables vary in price. More affordable simple designs are usually made with thinner glass that isn't tempered safety grade. More expensive, elaborate designs are the mid-range, and high-end pieces are artisanal, with unique designs and a one-of-the-kind look.
Glass dining tables also come with a variety of bases - wood, stone and metal are some of the options, but you can also find top-to-bottom glass structures. The price will depend on the quality, size, base material and design.
While the kitchen is the heart of the home, the dining tables are the place of fun social gatherings, where conversations can last for hours over a hearty meal and endless wine. It's a place where you can be with your family after a long day; and where memories are made and cherished. Dining tables are the focal points of the rooms, and a well-made dining table should last you for many years.
In conclusion, we believe that the best dining table should work with your lifestyle, have a timeless design, and be one you can enjoy for many years.
Disclaimer: We always endeavour to credit the correct source of every image we use. If you think a credit may need to be corrected, please get in touch with us at info@marteloandmo.co.uk.