Transparent silicone table pad, choice of size, best designs

Present

Folk signs and superstitions
When and to whom is it customary to give a tablecloth?

Basic rules for choosing a tablecloth as a gift

A tablecloth is one of the most practical and functional things that instantly decorates the interior and makes it more comfortable. There is a wide range of these products, made from different materials, presented in any size and design. When choosing a gift tablecloth, the donor must take into account all the subtleties and rules of the process of presenting a gift.

Embroidered tablecloth Royal gift

General information

The oilcloth for the table is made from laminated protective transparent PVC film. Production - South Korea.

The product has a shiny laminated surface and reliably protects the table from any damage. The oilcloth structure is flexible and durable. It is tear-resistant, practically does not wrinkle and cannot be cut with a knife. Soft glass remains transparent for a long time and retains all its properties.

Thanks to the flexible tablecloth, wear and tear on the tabletop is reduced. Dust on the surface covered with a protective film is practically invisible, any dirt can be easily wiped off without scratching or staining the table material.

Flexible glass is intended for use:

in any office;
in the kitchen;
in the dining room;
in a restaurant (cafe).

Which table is it suitable for?

Protective film is suitable for all types of tables, but is especially relevant for glass and lacquered ones. The tablecloth protects the kitchen table from cuts, the desk from rubbing, and the dining table from accidental stains.

It can also be any table in shape:

rectangular;
square;
round;
oval;
non-standard shape.

Main characteristics

Before purchasing the product, you must select the thickness:

1.2 mm is used to protect chests of drawers, window sills, children's and school tables;
1.8 mm is well suited for the kitchen (protection of tables and countertops), children's (protection of desks) and office (protection of tables and window sills);
2.2 mm is designed to protect large surfaces and helps emphasize the premium quality of the interior.

Liquid glass on the table has the following characteristics:

Duration of operation - up to 5 years;
transparency - 98%;
hardness - 37;
blue pigment that protects against yellowness;
resistance to sunlight;
food standard - the material is allowed for contact with food;
synthetic smell - absent;
There are no heavy metal impurities in the composition.

Advantages of flexible glass

Main advantages of the product:

easy to trim after shrinkage;
has a comfortable temperature range - from –20 to +80;
merges with the surface;
just spread out;
does not slip, lies well under its own weight;
greasy stains are not eaten away;
any dirt is easily removed.

If you want, you can decorate the tablecloth. Any stickers can be easily attached to the silicone surface. You can also paint it with permanent paint, or attach fringe around the perimeter.

Main disadvantages

Over time, the film may shrink. This happens even against the backdrop of careful operation and proper maintenance. The color of the film becomes cloudy, and the product itself takes on a sloppy appearance.

The deformation cannot be corrected, and therefore you have to purchase a new tablecloth.

Pros and cons of the material

Among the abundance of overlays available for sale, silicone film stands out favorably. The material is characterized as an environmentally friendly product, pleasant to the touch, plastic and at the same time durable. It does not smell, does not emit toxins, and is heat resistant.

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Leather table covers are expensive. This material is not very convenient for writing and cannot be used in the kitchen. The same can be said about leatherette, only its price is lower and the quality is worse.

Sometimes plexiglass is placed on the table as a protective element. It looks beautiful. But the material has a number of disadvantages: low strength, instability to scratches, is afraid of high temperatures and requires special care.

In the recent past, along with plexiglass, a natural analogue - a glass overlay - was actively used. It was a popular accessory for a desk, under which necessary notes, postcards, and photographs were stored. However, the material is heavy, very fragile and, if broken, causes injury.

Silicone coatings have many advantages:

A transparent blotter does not hide the tabletop underneath and does not change its appearance, allowing you to admire the beautiful design of the surface. It is convenient to place important notes and photos under it; if necessary, they can be easily removed.
Suitable for any surface, used for a work table, coffee table, dining table, fits into any style.
The transparent silicone pad on the table does not slip, fits tightly to the surface, and does not deform.
Convenient to use. It is easy to remove and fix, can be rolled up if necessary, and weighs little.
It has an optimal level of softness, a smooth but non-slippery surface.
Special nozzles for corners are also made from silicone. They will help preserve the furniture and protect the child from injury.
The moderate price makes the products accessible to almost any user.
It is easy to care for the silicone table pad; any dirt can be wiped off without any problems with a regular damp cloth.
The pad is resistant to alkaline environments, as well as saline and alcohol solutions.
The silicone pad on the desk does not create noise when in contact with it.
The product is not afraid of high and low temperatures.
A silicone tablecloth with a pattern will decorate the dining table; moreover, it is durable and resistant to mechanical stress.

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Silicone pads also have disadvantages, but they are minor. The coating can only be fixed on a perfectly flat surface; this option is not suitable for countertops of non-standard shape or with a voluminous relief design. When the furniture already has visible damage, it will not be possible to hide it under a transparent rug. If the silicone tablecloth is not laid correctly, it will form bubbles.

Do not cut food directly on the coating; the knife will easily damage it. Direct fire (from a match, cigarette, fireplace sparks) is also dangerous for silicone.

Ease of use

Wear resistance

Variety of designs

Easy to care for

Versatility

Proper tablecloth care

Care for the product depends on the material from which it is made, as well as the color and size of the product.

Size selection

The thickness of the silicone pad can vary from 0.25 mm to 0.2 cm. This layer of film copes well with its protective function and is minimally noticeable on the table. As a rule, the transparent coating is selected so that it is several millimeters smaller than the countertop area.

Typical sizes of silicone mats for different types of tables differ from each other:

The following dimensions are suitable for coffee tables: from 53.5 cm to 90 cm in width, from 90 cm to 120 cm in length.
For the dining table you can choose the following overlays: from 107 cm to 180 cm in length, from 100 cm to 135 cm in width.
The average size of a kitchen table cover is 120 cm by 150 cm.

If necessary, you can trim the edges of the silicone backing at your discretion; this procedure will not damage the product.

However, everything must be done extremely carefully and precisely so that the tablecloth subsequently looks aesthetically pleasing. If you do not have such skills, it is better to purchase a custom model. The manufacturer will produce a silicone mat of non-standard sizes and shapes at the request of the buyer.

What to expect according to signs if you put several bills under the tablecloth

In fact, there are a huge number of signs and superstitions associated with attracting and losing money. Some of them work using a dining table.

Several recommendations have survived to this day on how to “lure” money through this seemingly simple, but deeply symbolic piece of furniture:

It is enough to put a few coins under the tablecloth or oilcloth;
if you put in banknotes, the amounts will be larger;
It is better to store all the cash in the house under the tablecloth;
Three days before the full moon, you should put a large bill under the oilcloth.

According to signs, all these actions can adjust your cash flow in such a way that your wallet will never be empty.

Design options

The good thing about a transparent silicone overlay is that it is almost invisible on furniture and allows you to clearly see the entire surface of the object. This option is suitable for those who want to protect an expensive, beautiful item from damage, while maintaining the opportunity to admire its interesting finish. But if the tabletop is not distinguished by anything special, and the owner, on the contrary, wants to somehow decorate it, update it, give it a more original look, it is better for him to choose decorated models.

Thematic print. Images can be very different, to suit every taste, for example, fruits, flowers, berries, vegetables, landscapes. A transparent tablecloth with fish, algae and other inhabitants of the seabed looks very unusual.
Ornament in the spirit of patchwork. The patchwork design technique is suitable for a children’s room; such an overlay will add coziness and become a bright accent of the interior.
Holographic 3D drawing. Looks modern and stylish. An unreal, cosmic atmosphere is created in the room; such a table will certainly become the center of attention.
Tablecloths with embossing. This finishing technique creates a relief pattern on the surface of the transparent overlay, which looks very impressive. There are many options for interesting patterns; you need to choose in accordance with the overall design of the room.

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When choosing a silicone pad for a table, it is important not only to focus on the aesthetic properties of the product. Preference should be given to coatings from reliable, trusted manufacturers.

Popular manufacturers

Among the companies producing silicone table pads, the Japanese company Meiwa has become world famous. Its products are of impeccable quality. Coatings are available in a variety of variations, there are transparent and matte, with a pattern, made in any shades, with a relief print. You can purchase individual products of a certain size or film in rolls.

The Swedish brand Ikea is known in many countries around the world. It is distinguished by a restrained palette of shades, laconic finishing, and classic black and white overlays are popular. Transparent “Preuss” models (65 x 45) for the desktop are in demand, as well as “Skrutt” from IKEA - an attribute ideal for a modern interior. Popular European companies also include Durable, Esselte, Leitz, Panta Plast.

Among domestic manufacturers we can note Decosave, Modern. Products of this brand are not inferior in quality to European ones, but the prices are much lower. The product range includes films in different sizes and colors, clear coatings and printed mats.

Ikea

Panta Plast

Decosave

Silicone table pads

Types of soft glass tablecloths:

The bulk of silicone pads are available in a colorless version.
There are silicone tablecloths for tables with a pattern, which allows you to give the room a more original look. Any design is applied to the film on the inside, which guarantees a long service life. Most often, images of fruits, berries, flowers and intricate geometric shapes are used.

Buyers have the opportunity to purchase a matte film; it looks quite unusual on the countertop and does not interfere with the overall interior.

For the convenience of using thick film, you can attach special corner silicone pads to the corners of the table. They additionally prevent premature damage to furniture.