Alternatives to Fix a Patio Top That Has Broken Glass

Glass Tops

• Instead of fixing the top that is broken, use a new glass patio top that is more decorative. Examples include frosted glass, etched designs and stained glass paints or designs. You can buy a top that is in stock, have one custom made or purchase a clear piece of glass that matches the dimensions of your table and put the design on it yourself. Kits for many glass decorating techniques are available at most crafts stores that include step-by-step instructions, the supplies that you need and specific patterns to match your decor.

Hardwood Tops

• Wooden table tops work outdoors as long as they are sealed properly to stand up to the elements. After the top is cut to fit on your patio table, paint or stain it the color of your choice. Options include using the same outdoor stain that you used on your patio boards or painting a custom design on it with stencils and outdoor paint. Either option you choose should be coated with a few layers of polyurethane or lacquer designed for sealing outdoor furniture.

Mosaic Designs

• Creating a mosaic design on a plywood top is a way to replace broken glass with a sturdy surface that expresses your artistic side. Tile options include using ceramic or glass tile squares to create a solid-colored top, checkerboard or other pattern. Breaking the tiles apart allows you to create an intricate pattern of your choice on the top. Other ideas include using a collection of smaller objects, such as sea glass or vintage beer bottle caps, to create a top that reflects your personality.

Decoupage Tops

• Along the same lines as painting, staining or creating a mosaic design on a cut plywood top for your patio table, decoupage allows you to customize your outdoor area. Any paper items, from postcards to copies of photos, may be used in a decoupage design. Other ideas include collecting vintage advertisements for your favorite summer beverage and using them to create an interesting collage top for your patio tabletop. Use decoupage medium to seal the whole project or finish with a couple coats of a clear polyurethane or lacquer meant for the outdoors to ensure the design will stand up to the elements.

Outdoor Fabric

• One of the easiest ways to cover up a damaged top is with an outdoor tablecloth. Have a simple plywood tabletop cut to replace the broken glass one for safety and get an outdoor tablecloth that matches the cushions on your patio chairs. Other options include changing the tablecloth out with special events. If you like the look of the base of your table and don't want to cover it up, attach a piece of outdoor fabric to the top by stapling it to the underside. Pull it taut for a finished look that is replaceable whenever it gets worn by simply removing the staples and attaching new fabric.

Unusual Alternatives

• Depending on the sturdiness of your patio table, one alternative to fixing a broken glass top is reusing countertop materials. For example, go to a home improvement store and ask to see leftover scraps of marble, granite or laminate countertops. Have them cut down to fit the dimensions that you need. Using metal to make a top is another idea to create a whole new look for your patio table. Use a metal that is not known to rust outdoors, such as stainless steel, or paint the top with an outdoor paint meant to keep metal rust free.