Epoxy vs. Glass Table Tops: What I Chose and Why It Made a Big Difference

When I was designing my first custom table, I kept going back and forth: Do I go with a sleek glass top? Or pour something with resin? Glass felt classic and clean. Epoxy felt bold and personal. I weighed every detail—and now, a year later, I’m glad I made the call I did. Here’s what I learned from comparing epoxy resin table tops vs. glass in real life—not just from a product spec sheet.

I Was Torn Between a Sleek Glass Top and a Custom Epoxy Table

I loved the clean look of glass — but I also wanted something more one-of-a-kind

Glass has that showroom feel. But when I pictured the table I wanted people to remember, resin kept pulling me back.

Here’s everything I weighed before deciding

Durability, ease of maintenance, design freedom, long-term care—plus the vibe I wanted in the space.

And how that choice played out a year later

No regrets. My epoxy table still looks amazing, and it fits the space better than anything I could’ve bought off a shelf.

Glass Table Tops: Timeless, Elegant… and a Little High-Maintenance

Pros: Scratch-resistant, easy to clean, works in almost any room

Glass is durable on the surface. It’s smooth, easy to wipe down, and pairs well with any base—metal, wood, concrete.

Cons: Cold to the touch, shows fingerprints constantly, prone to shattering

That flawless finish? It shows everything. I was wiping it down daily. And the risk of chips and sharp edges always had me on edge around kids or guests.

Best for: Minimalist spaces, rental homes, or if you already have a nice base

If you’re not trying to reinvent the wheel, a glass top works. Clean, simple, safe choice.

Epoxy Table Tops: Creative, Durable, and Built Exactly How You Want

Pros: Fully customizable — colors, inlays, wood grains, textures

Want to embed dried flowers? Add metallic pigment? Do a river down the middle of a live edge slab? Resin makes it possible. I've done all of those in my favorite epoxy table experiments.

Tough finish that can handle heat, spills, and daily use

When it’s cured properly, epoxy forms a rock-solid, sealed surface that stands up to real life—wine, water, even a dropped fork.

Cons: Can yellow over time without UV protection, costs vary depending on style

Use the wrong resin and it’ll age badly. But go with a UV-resistant formula like the ones I used in this breakdown on yellowing, and you’re golden.

Best for: Statement pieces, custom work, or blending resin with wood

It’s functional art. And when people see it? They ask where you got it.

Durability Test: Which One’s Built to Last?

Epoxy: Scratch-resistant with a hard cure, but can chip if hit hard

Normal wear? No problem. But hit it with something sharp at the wrong angle, and you might see a chip. I covered more about that in my scratch-resistance review.

Glass: Less prone to surface damage, but vulnerable to breakage

It resists scratches well, but if you drop something heavy? You’re risking a crack or full-on shatter.

I’ve seen both hold up — but epoxy gives you more design freedom with fewer safety worries

Especially in homes with kids or high traffic, I trust epoxy more than glass.

Customization Showdown: Clear Winner Here

Epoxy lets you get wild — think river tables, pigments, embedded objects

You’re not locked into one look. You get to design it. From color to texture to shape, the options are wide open. You can see how I leaned into this with my river rock table.

Glass is sleek but rigid — what you see is what you get

You can’t do much with glass besides choose the shape and thickness. That’s it.

I wanted something that felt like mine — epoxy gave me that

The table in my dining room doesn’t look like anything in a catalog. And that’s exactly why I love it.

Which One’s Easier to Live With? (Spoiler: Not Glass)

Fingerprints drove me crazy on my old glass table

Seriously. One meal, and it looked like a crime scene. I was cleaning it every single day.

Epoxy just needs a wipe-down with soap and water

Microfiber cloth + mild dish soap = good as new. No smudges, no stress. I go deeper into that in my cleaning process post.

Both need care — but epoxy was way less stressful for me

Epoxy feels lived-in, not fragile. I never worry about someone setting down a glass or dropping a spoon.

What About Cost? Here’s What I Spent

Glass: Decent quality tops range from $100–$500 depending on size

Affordable and easy to find, especially if you’re just topping an existing base.

Epoxy: Mine cost more, but I got a custom piece made with live edge walnut (before I was making them)

Between the wood, the resin, the design time, and the finish—it added up. But it’s one of a kind. And it’s built to last. I go into more pricing detail in my epoxy pricing guide.

If you’re buying for design impact, epoxy often gives more bang for your buck

Especially if you want something that *feels* high-end, not just looks it for a month.

Eco-Friendliness and Sustainability

Glass is recyclable, but energy-intensive to make

Good in theory, but the environmental impact of producing and shipping thick glass adds up.

Epoxy isn’t biodegradable — but many makers (like us) minimize waste and use sustainably sourced wood

I use offcuts, reclaimed slabs, and eco-minded suppliers whenever possible. And resin lets me save wood others would toss. You can read more in our sustainability policy.

Neither is perfect, but with epoxy, you control the sourcing and waste

You decide what goes into your table. That alone gives you more power to build responsibly.

So Which One’s Right for You?

Go with glass if you love modern, clean lines and minimal upkeep

It’s plug-and-play. No mess. No design process. Just clean and simple.

Choose epoxy if you want something artistic, tactile, and made for your space

If you want the table to say something—about you, your space, or your story—epoxy wins every time.

I went with epoxy — and it’s still my favorite thing in the room

It’s not just a table. It’s a build I got to help create. And that never gets old.

Thanks for taking the time to read—I really appreciate it. I hope something in my process (or my mistakes) helps you along the way. If you want a custom piece or hit a wall building your own, feel free to drop a comment or reach out—happy to help. Have a blessed day!