Hello everyone,
I am planning to add a glass top to an Ikea BESTÅ sideboard. My specific question is: How can I modify or adapt the BESTÅ unit so that a glass top sits securely and stably on it? I am especially interested in tips for attaching the glass, suitable materials for spacers or adhesive pads, and advice on preventing wobbling or slipping.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the original top should be completely removed or if the glass can simply be placed on it. What thickness and type of glass are recommended to ensure the top looks good and is strong enough?
I look forward to your experiences and suggestions, including any simple tips for beginners who don’t have much DIY experience!
I am planning to add a glass top to an Ikea BESTÅ sideboard. My specific question is: How can I modify or adapt the BESTÅ unit so that a glass top sits securely and stably on it? I am especially interested in tips for attaching the glass, suitable materials for spacers or adhesive pads, and advice on preventing wobbling or slipping.
Additionally, it would be helpful to know whether the original top should be completely removed or if the glass can simply be placed on it. What thickness and type of glass are recommended to ensure the top looks good and is strong enough?
I look forward to your experiences and suggestions, including any simple tips for beginners who don’t have much DIY experience!
Hey Shane33,
First of all, cool idea with the glass top! It really freshens up a BESTÅ unit. 😄 I did a similar project—there, I simply placed the glass on small, non-slip silicone pads designed specifically for glass surfaces in furniture. These ensure the glass doesn’t slide and at the same time prevent scratches. I recommend keeping the original top surface of the BESTÅ, as it adds stability and protects the edges of the glass.
Regarding the glass thickness: 6 to 8 mm (¼ to ⅓ inch) is ideal—it looks sleek but is sturdy. Be careful with the size: the larger the glass, the thicker it should be. Other than that, I think all you need to do is occasionally check if the pads are still in place.
There shouldn’t be any wobbling, especially if the underside is level. If there is, you can add tiny rubber feet under the glass; they’re hardly visible and adjust for minor unevenness.
First of all, cool idea with the glass top! It really freshens up a BESTÅ unit. 😄 I did a similar project—there, I simply placed the glass on small, non-slip silicone pads designed specifically for glass surfaces in furniture. These ensure the glass doesn’t slide and at the same time prevent scratches. I recommend keeping the original top surface of the BESTÅ, as it adds stability and protects the edges of the glass.
Regarding the glass thickness: 6 to 8 mm (¼ to ⅓ inch) is ideal—it looks sleek but is sturdy. Be careful with the size: the larger the glass, the thicker it should be. Other than that, I think all you need to do is occasionally check if the pads are still in place.
There shouldn’t be any wobbling, especially if the underside is level. If there is, you can add tiny rubber feet under the glass; they’re hardly visible and adjust for minor unevenness.
Hello Shane33,
To safely modify the Ikea BESTÅ with a glass top, I recommend a more technical approach, especially if the glass sheet is large or will be used as a work surface. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- First, remove the original top of the BESTÅ. This creates a flat, flush surface.
- Next, install a substructure, for example a frame made of aluminum or wooden slats, which is screwed securely to the cabinet. This frame should fully support the glass on the sides.
- Attach suitable spacers to the frame, ideally made of non-abrasive plastic or rubber, to protect the glass from damage.
- The glass panel (at least 8 mm (0.3 inches) thick, tempered safety glass recommended) is then placed on these spacers and can be additionally fixed with clear silicone adhesive at certain points to prevent slipping. Silicone is flexible, which helps avoid stress on the glass.
You should ensure the glass is precisely cut—square with beveled edges (facets) to prevent cuts and improve appearance.
Regarding the type of glass: tempered safety glass (ESG) is essential because it breaks into small, harmless fragments if it shatters. Regular float glass is not suitable.
If you want to keep the original surface, the glass must be exactly larger or used with appropriate spacers and non-slip pads, but this is less stable.
What are the dimensions of your BESTÅ, and what kind of loads do you plan to put on the glass? This significantly affects the optimal construction.
To safely modify the Ikea BESTÅ with a glass top, I recommend a more technical approach, especially if the glass sheet is large or will be used as a work surface. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- First, remove the original top of the BESTÅ. This creates a flat, flush surface.
- Next, install a substructure, for example a frame made of aluminum or wooden slats, which is screwed securely to the cabinet. This frame should fully support the glass on the sides.
- Attach suitable spacers to the frame, ideally made of non-abrasive plastic or rubber, to protect the glass from damage.
- The glass panel (at least 8 mm (0.3 inches) thick, tempered safety glass recommended) is then placed on these spacers and can be additionally fixed with clear silicone adhesive at certain points to prevent slipping. Silicone is flexible, which helps avoid stress on the glass.
You should ensure the glass is precisely cut—square with beveled edges (facets) to prevent cuts and improve appearance.
Regarding the type of glass: tempered safety glass (ESG) is essential because it breaks into small, harmless fragments if it shatters. Regular float glass is not suitable.
If you want to keep the original surface, the glass must be exactly larger or used with appropriate spacers and non-slip pads, but this is less stable.
What are the dimensions of your BESTÅ, and what kind of loads do you plan to put on the glass? This significantly affects the optimal construction.
glamo schrieb:
What are the dimensions of your BESTÅ and what kind of load do you plan to put on the glass top? That greatly affects the optimal construction.Good question, thanks! It’s a 120 x 40 cm (47 x 16 inches) BESTÅ lowboard (W x D). The glass top is mainly decorative, so it will be used mostly for TV devices and decorative items—no heavy loads like countertops.
My goal is for the glass to be firmly fixed with as little movement as possible during normal use. The height should not change much because I am integrating the furniture into an existing wall unit.
Would you then remove the original top surface, or is simply placing and securing the glass with pads sufficient?
For the usage scenario you described (120x40 cm (47x16 inches), decorative, no heavy load), it is advisable to keep the original top surface of the BESTÅ and place the glass panel on it.
This has the following advantages:
- The original top provides a stable base that reduces twisting of the cabinet frame.
- The glass is secured against slipping with non-slip spacers or silicone pads.
- The overall height increases only slightly, which is important when integrating into existing furniture specifications.
Make sure to use high-quality, rubberized spacers that do not slip and decouple the glass. The glass panel should be safety glass (tempered glass) with a thickness of about 6–8 mm (1/4–5/16 inch).
I would only recommend direct bonding if the panel does not need to be removed. Placing it with pads is reversible and completely sufficient for decorative purposes.
This has the following advantages:
- The original top provides a stable base that reduces twisting of the cabinet frame.
- The glass is secured against slipping with non-slip spacers or silicone pads.
- The overall height increases only slightly, which is important when integrating into existing furniture specifications.
Make sure to use high-quality, rubberized spacers that do not slip and decouple the glass. The glass panel should be safety glass (tempered glass) with a thickness of about 6–8 mm (1/4–5/16 inch).
I would only recommend direct bonding if the panel does not need to be removed. Placing it with pads is reversible and completely sufficient for decorative purposes.
nonere schrieb:
I would only recommend direct gluing if the panel does not need to be removed.Absolutely! Especially in rental apartments or if you want to move or clean the furniture, gluing isn’t ideal. The pads hold very well, and often the small scratch guards alone are enough to prevent movement.
One more tip: If you want absolute security, you can attach small transparent silicone bumpers on the outside of the glass panel – barely visible, but they provide extra grip.
So, glass on, pads in, done.
Similar topics