Glass extendable dining tables suit people who want a small or busy room to feel lighter, since a clear top lets the eye pass straight through to the floor. High gloss extendable tables suit those who want a solid, colourful surface that bounces light around the room and feels a little warmer underhand. Glass is harder wearing against heat and staining, while gloss is quieter to use and hides smears better on lighter shades. Your choice rests mainly on room size, who uses the table and how much you mind wiping it down.
Both materials sit at the contemporary end of dining furniture, and both are well represented in our range. If the open, airy look appeals, start with our modern glass extending dining tables UK, and compare them against complete settings in our dining table and chairs sets UK sale. The sections below look at how each material fits different households, rather than simply listing features.
Glass dining tables use toughened safety glass, usually between 8mm and 12mm thick, set on a frame of chrome, brushed steel, painted metal or wood. The glass is heat treated so it is far stronger than ordinary glass and, if it ever breaks, it shatters into small blunt pieces rather than sharp shards. Clear glass is the most common, though frosted, tinted and back painted glass are also available.
High gloss tables typically use MDF or another engineered board coated in several layers of lacquer, polished to a reflective sheen. Some use acrylic or lacquered glass panels. The colour is solid and opaque, so the table reads as a defined block in the room, though the shine keeps it from feeling heavy.
Both often extend using a butterfly leaf hidden beneath the top or a sliding mechanism that reveals a central panel. On glass tables, the extension leaf is sometimes glass and sometimes a matching solid insert, so it is worth checking how the extended top looks.
For small homes, glass is often the stronger contender. A transparent top takes up visual space in a far gentler way than any solid surface. In a narrow kitchen diner or a through lounge, it allows rugs, flooring and the room itself to remain visible, which keeps the space from feeling crowded.
That said, a pale high gloss table also works well in a small room. White or light grey lacquer reflects daylight and can brighten a dim corner more than glass, which lets light through rather than bouncing it back. If your small room struggles with natural light, gloss may do more to lift it. If the room is bright but tight on floor area, glass usually feels more spacious.
Families with toddlers and young children often worry about glass. Toughened glass is designed to be strong and safe, and rounded or bevelled edges reduce the risk of bumps. Glass also shrugs off felt tip pens, paint and sticky fingers, which wipe away with a damp cloth.
The trade off is noise and fingerprints. Cutlery, cups and toys make more sound on glass than on lacquer, and handprints show clearly, particularly in bright light. A high gloss table is quieter and softer feeling. Lighter gloss colours disguise fingerprints reasonably well, though darker shades show them as plainly as glass.
Children also tend to knock edges with toys and chair backs. Gloss lacquer can chip at corners after repeated impacts, while glass edges are more resistant but should be protected from hard knocks from metal objects.
For regular hosts, glass has several practical strengths. It is resistant to heat, so serving dishes are less likely to mark it, though mats are still sensible. Spilled wine and sauces do not stain glass, and it looks immaculate again after a quick wipe at the end of the evening.
Gloss tables bring a sense of occasion, particularly in black or deep grey under a striking pendant. They need a little more care around hot plates and spills, as lacquer can mark if liquids are left to sit or hot dishes are placed directly on it. A runner and placemats make entertaining on gloss much more relaxed.
Both materials extend smoothly in most modern designs, but heavier glass tops take a little more effort to open. Ask how the mechanism works and whether one person can manage it comfortably.
When the dining table doubles as a desk, the surface matters every day. Glass is hard and durable, so a laptop, notebooks and a mug sit on it without issue. However, the transparent top shows cables and the floor beneath, which can be distracting, and some people find it cold to rest their arms on in winter.
High gloss is warmer to the touch and offers a solid backdrop for work. It shows fine scratches from laptops and stationery over time, so a desk mat helps protect it during working hours.
Pets rarely climb on dining tables, but they do brush past legs and occasionally jump up on chairs. Glass is very resistant to claws and hair wipes off easily. Gloss can scratch if a cat leaps onto it, though most marks from a determined pet will be fine and shallow.
Where pets are concerned, the frame matters as much as the top. Sturdy metal or wooden legs, well braced and properly fixed, ensure the table stays stable if a large dog leans against it.
Glass is chameleon like. It takes on the character of its frame and its surroundings. On chrome legs, it feels sleek and modern. On a wooden base, it feels softer and more natural. On a sculptural metal base, it becomes a statement piece. Because it does not introduce a new colour, glass works with almost any scheme.
High gloss commits to a colour. White suits crisp, Scandinavian and minimal interiors. Grey works with industrial and urban schemes. Black brings drama to large open plan rooms. If you prefer a coordinated look, our high gloss extending dining tables UK sale range includes several colours, and matching gloss sideboards and cabinets are easy to find.
If you would rather buy everything together, our modern glass extending dining table sets UK pair clear tops with coordinated chairs in leather, fabric and velvet.
Glass is cleaned with a glass cleaner or warm water with a little vinegar, followed by a lint free cloth. It is very forgiving of cleaning products, but streaks show readily, so a final polish is worth doing. Avoid abrasive pads, which can scratch the surface.
High gloss is best cleaned with warm water, a drop of mild washing up liquid and a microfibre cloth, then buffed dry. It should not meet solvent sprays, polish containing silicone or rough sponges, which can dull the lacquer over time.
Over the years, glass tends to stay looking newer because it is so hard. Gloss can develop a fine web of surface scratches, visible at low angles of light, though these are rarely noticeable in everyday use.
Both materials play with light in different ways. Glass transmits it, letting the floor and rug show through. Gloss reflects it, bouncing light from windows and pendants across the room. Combining either with a well placed mirror can make a dining area feel noticeably larger. Our guide to pairing dining tables and mirrors in UK homes explores this idea with practical layouts.
Choose glass if your room is small but bright, if you want a surface that resists heat and stains, or if you like the idea of a table that adapts to future changes in decor. Choose high gloss if your room needs brightening, if you want a solid colour that anchors the space, or if you prefer a quieter, warmer surface for daily meals and work.
We offer free delivery to most UK mainland postcodes, and Returns are available up to 30 days, so you can see how either material works in your own home. You will find our full collection of modern dining furniture at Furniture in Fashion.
Dining tables use toughened safety glass, which is much stronger than standard glass and breaks into small blunt pieces if damaged. Rounded edges and a sturdy frame add further reassurance.
Dark gloss shows fingerprints as clearly as glass. White and light grey gloss hide them more effectively, which is one reason pale shades are favoured in busy homes.
Toughened glass handles heat well, but sudden extreme temperature changes can stress it. Using mats or trivets is a sensible habit on any dining surface.
Gloss tops are generally lighter, so they are slightly easier to open. Well engineered glass tables use smooth runners that make the process straightforward for one person.
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