How Big a Table Base Do You Need to get a 54-Inch Glass Tabletop?

A 54-inch glass tabletop requires a secure, stable base. Even though you can create a cohesive look by matching the shape of the base to the tabletop, the base’s size is the crucial element. Choose a base with both style and safety in mind.

Big Enough Base

As a general rule, a glass tabletop should not overhang its base by over one-third of its width. That means a 54-inch-diameter glass table ought to sit atop a base that is at least 18 inches in diameter, allowing for a maximum of 18 inches of overhang at all sides of the base. This rule of thumb applies only to glass created for use as a tabletop and presumes a minimum strength and thickness of the glass.

Ask an Expert

Different types and thicknesses of glass have different strengths along with other performance factors that determine the minimum size of bases or base. If you are purchasing a glass tabletop out of a glass dealer, follow their recommendations for supporting the glass, and make sure you discuss the number of bases or encourage pieces you are going to have — to learn how far the glass can span between supports. If you already own a glass top and also don’t know whether the glass is tempered, annealed or otherwise created for strength and safety, err on the side of caution and also encourage the glass as much as possible. Conventional glass is relatively weak and can break into large shards, posing a substantial security hazard.