When choosing outdoor dining tables for your restaurant there is more to consider than style and size. Your location, available space, menu, clientele are just a few things to keep in mind.
LOCATION
- Will the area be covered? Certain materials are better than others when dealing with direct sunlight. Metal, glass, and certain plastic materials can get uncomfortably warm if they get too much sunlight. Also, solid top tables will not dry as quickly after a rain and may need to be dried by staff. Treated woods, plastic, and perforated or slatted aluminum or steel that is powder coated could be the best options for this venue.
- Is the area subject to high winds? If so heavier materials and weighted bases may be required.
MENU
- This might not be your first thought when looking at tables, but if you have a lot of bread items that can result in crumbs on the table, you may want to shy away from tops that have perforations or holes where they can lodge. Also, things like seafood shells, (crab or shrimp, for instance) can lodge in a mesh or slatted top. The more ānooks and cranniesā, the more places for spilled sauces to drip requiring more time spent cleaning them out.
AVAILABLE SPACE
- This can be a factor in deciding on the size and shape of tables. If the area is tight, using smaller square or rectangular tops is your best bet. A larger area and casual menu might allow for the use of picnic tables with integrated seating. If the area is used primarily as an extension of the bar area, round bar height tables may be best suited.
CLIENTELE
- Maybe just a personal preference, but when I see outdoor tables and chairs constructed of mesh steel, my first thought is the āimpressionā it might leave on the skin of my forearms. Probably a minor concern but worth bearing in mind.
The choices for outdoor dining tables materials are greater than indoor but so are the considerations.
To learn more about BFM Seatingās Outdoor Dining Tables, please click here or call us at 215-289-5411.
