When hail season approaches, many homeowners wonder about their outdoor furniture's durability, particularly glass-topped tables. The answer isn't straightforward - it depends on several crucial factors.
Standard glass table tops face significant risk during hailstorms. Even small hailstones traveling at high velocities can cause cracks, chips, or complete shattering. The impact severity varies with hail size - while pea-sized hail might cause minimal damage, golf ball-sized hail can be devastating.
Most quality outdoor furniture uses tempered glass, which offers superior strength compared to regular glass. Tempered glass undergoes special heat treatment, making it 4-5 times stronger than standard glass and causing it to break into small, granular pieces rather than dangerous shards when compromised. However, this doesn't make it hail-proof.
Several factors determine your glass table's hail resistance: glass thickness (¼-inch or thicker performs better), hailstone size and density, wind speed during the storm, and the angle of impact. Larger hailstones falling at greater speeds deliver more destructive force.
To protect your investment, consider these practical solutions: use protective covers specifically designed for outdoor furniture, move tables under covered areas when hail is forecasted, or consider switching to alternative materials like polycarbonate or metal during peak hail season.
Regular maintenance also contributes to durability. Inspect for existing chips or cracks that could weaken the glass structure. Clean surfaces regularly to maintain integrity, and ensure proper support from the table frame to distribute impact force.
While no glass is completely hail-proof, understanding these factors and taking preventive measures can significantly increase your outdoor furniture's chances of surviving severe weather intact.