Ultimate Restaurant Patio Furniture Guide A PUBLICATION OF MISSOURI TABLE & CHAIR

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Egbert Lindsey
6 years ago
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1 Ultimate Restaurant Patio Furniture Guide A PUBLICATION OF MISSOURI TABLE & CHAIR

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Restaurant and Customer Considerations A. Comfort B. Party Size C. Patio Space D. Maintenance Availaibility 2. Outdoor Furniture Specific Considerations A. Weather Resistance B. Corrosion Resistance C. Sun or UV Resistance D. Salt Air Resistance E. Fungal Resistance 3. Outdoor Furniture Materials A. Granite B. Teak C. Aluminum D. Stainless Steel E. Resin/Plastic F. Hardware Page

3 The decisions that need to be made when opening a new restaurant, or adding a new patio to your existing restaurant, can seem overwhelming. This e-book was created by a restaurant furniture supplier with over 30 years experience in the industry. We hope this e-book will make your research easier. We ve included some of the most common considerations when researching outdoor patio furniture and valuable information on specific materials used in restaurant patio furniture. 1. Restaurant and Customer Considerations A. Comfort There are many topics to consider when considering outdoor furniture specifically for a restaurant or hospitality setting. The comfort of your customers, the types of seating groups you ll cater to, and other factors determine the types of restaurant tables and seating you will want to consider. Reviewing these basic topics when looking for patio furniture information can save you time and money in the long run. 3

4 B. Party Size Consider the specific style of dining for your restaurant and the average normal size dining group. If your patio is smaller or features mostly dining by couples, consider smaller tables that can be pushed together easily. If a restaurant has a very large patio, consider longer community tables that fit large groups. Try to layout your patio design to accommodate as many customers as possible. C. Patio Space A restaurant s geographic location and patio and/ or storage space may have an impact on the restaurant patio furniture they choose. Owners may consider whether they can leave their furniture outside overnight or will need to bring it inside. The weight of outdoor tables and chairs is an important factor. Lighter furniture is more practical if it needs to be stored each night, and it s also easier to transport. Stackable chairs are a great option if you have limited storage space. D. Maintenance Availability Various patio materials require more maintenance than others. Owners should choose furniture based on the maintenance routine they plan to implement and how much time staff will be able to devote to upkeep. Considering lower maintenance items can save you money in the long run. 4

5 2. Outdoor Furniture Specific Considerations A. Weather Resistance Restaurant patio furniture is manufactured to be weather resistant, but all materials don t have the same level of weather resistance. Many material choices such as aluminum, real or faux teak, granite, plastic offer great weather resistance and are available in a wide variety of options. Look for restaurant furniture options that are specifically designed for outdoor use. B. Corrosion Resistance Corrosion can be a serious problem in outdoor furniture. When untreated wrought iron is exposed to moisture in the air, a reddish powdery substance called iron oxide, or rust, forms. As metal rusts, it becomes weaker and appears corroded and can rub off on customers. Aluminum is a great corrosion-resistant option for outdoor tables, bases and seating. 5

6 C. Sun or UV Resistance Everyone loves to enjoy a nice meal outdoors in the sunshine, but long term exposure to the sun is hard on patio furniture. When dealing with a very sunny patio area, consider furniture options that are naturally UV resistant or have been treated to protect it from UV rays. If possible, provide ample shade cover to limit exposure. D. Salt Air Resistance Salt air can be hard on outdoor patio furniture. Salt can eat away at furniture materials and the substances used to construct the furniture, such as glue. Consider purchasing furniture made using materials made to withstand a seaside climate. Resin wicker, teak wood and some plastics are good choices for restaurant patio furniture that will be exposed to salt air. 6

E. Fungal Resistance Mold and mildew are fungal growths that find a hospitable environment in the tiny surface irregularities of untreated wood.

7 E. Fungal Resistance Mold and mildew are fungal growths that find a hospitable environment in the tiny surface irregularities of untreated wood. Restaurant patio furniture that is exposed to moisture on an ongoing basis runs the risk of developing fungus or mold. If patio environment is very humid or heavily shaded mold and fungus resistant outdoor patio furniture should be considered. Many soft woods appropriate for indoor use simply won t work for outdoor use as they will rot and decay. Metal, plastic and teak are good choices. Teak is sustainable, while being naturally weather and fungal resistant. 3. Outdoor Furniture Materials Restaurant patio furniture can be made from various types of materials, featuring many of the attributes mentioned above. Below are some of the most common materials used in outdoor tables, chairs, barstools and bases, and some characteristics of each. When looking at the wide variety of materials for your restaurant patio, keep in mind your personal taste, the color and theme of your indoor dining space and patio, and the type of customers you attract. Granite is a natural product formed from hardened magma found in many areas of the world. Each piece contains swirls patterns making each piece unique which means it can match any space, and it is suited for indoor or outdoor use. A. Granite 7

8 Granite serves as an unfavorable environment for bacteria growth making it an excellent source as a dining surface. Granite material is almost as hard as diamonds and it s naturally resistant to spills and stains, and heattolerant so hot dishes won t damage the surface. Cleaning granite is easy warm water and a clean cloth. The beauty of granite provides a natural ambience to any space. Granite tables are available in a variety of colors to match any outdoor seating. Granite is durable and low maintenance, making it a great return on investment. B. Teak Teak is a popular choice, and a strong wood that s ideal for patios because it resists water and decay, and doesn t shrink or swell up in different weather conditions. Teak is durable and sturdy in the weather. Some teak products can last over 70 years, even outdoors, but it does take maintenance if you want it to keep looking good. There are also faux teak options, which feature the great appearance of real teak, but require much less maintenance. C. Aluminum Restaurant furniture manufactured from aluminum is a great outdoor patio choice. Aluminum is lightweight, yet durable, making it perfect for patios where furniture may be moved around more frequently to create a variety of seating group sizes. Aluminum is also an excellent choice for restaurant patios where the furniture must be moved daily for storage. While lighter, aluminum is similar to stainless steel. Aluminum furniture does not rust so it can last a lot longer than other materials. There are aluminum products in many choices for tables, bases, and seating 8

9 D. Stainless Steel Stainless steel is also strong and water-resistant, as well as attractive and versatile in design. Restaurant tables made from stainless steel are available in a variety of sizes and shapes. All stainless steel is not rust-proof, so if you are in a moist and especially salty area, ask if the stainless steel you are looking at will stand up to the elements. E. Resin/Plastic Resin is simply plastic that can have different properties. Compounds that are added to plastic can make it UV resistant. Even if it is set in the direct sun, colors and patterns on plastic patio furniture will take a long time to see any reaction due to the sun. The chemicals used to produce plastic furniture create the level of UV protection and durability. Plastic is a great sun resistant option and very rarely breaks down. 9

10 Resin or plastic are durable and sturdy, and will not break easily, especially if produced with quality resin. Resin and plastic are durable enough to withstand the abuse from customers and cleaning people. It is almost impossible to break or chip quality plastic outdoor furniture. Resin and/or plastic are also easy to clean and maintain. Normal cleaning only requires a quick wipe down with a damp cloth. Some chairs and barstools are molded in one piece eliminating corners and seams where dirt and debris can collect. Chemically neutral products like Murphy s Oil Soap clean well, but you can also check with restaurant chemical supplier for mild patio furniture cleaners. It is very important that the hardware used in patio furniture is made for outdoor use. Most manufacturers include outdoor-grade fasteners in the original packaging, although it s always good to double-check. Problems can arise when restaurant owners replace old hardware with materials not suited for outdoor furniture use. F. Hardware In most cases, zinc plated galvanized screws are a better choice than uncoated steel nails. Stainless steel fasteners provide the most protection in tough conditions. For furniture with highly visible fasteners or hardware, consider attractive, rust-resistant, stainless steel or copper fasteners. 10

Outdoor Patio Buyer's Checklist

Outdoor Patio Buyer's Checklist What You Need to Know www.galaxyhomerecreation.com Tulsa Oklahoma City Broken Arrow As the weather begins to warm, spending time outdoors entertaining, relaxing and enjoying