restaurant table tops

6 Points You Must Know While Buying Wood Restaurant Table Tops

When purchasing wood restaurant table tops knowing about moisture content, selecting the right wood from a quality manufacturer, the durability of the correct finish, where to place, and knowing how to maintain these tabletops will help ensure that a mistake is not made when purchasing wood restaurant table tops.  Here are 6 considerations that a person in charge of purchasing restaurant table tops should consider before buying.

wooden restaurant table tops

1. Keep Table Tops at a Balance of Temperature and Humidity

Before manufacturing, the moisture content of wood along with the temperature and humidity of the restaurant environment where they will be used should be considered. Some regions of the USA have different relative humidity than others.

Balance of Temprature

For example, in Florida table tops will have a moisture content of 12% and Arizona may have a moisture content of 6% with the mid-west having a table top moisture content of about 8%. The manufacturer should check the lumber moisture content by computer to be 7- 8% moisture content which then can be built and shipped anywhere in the USA. Splitting or warping problems rarely occur, but when they do it could be due to extremely low moisture content in the wood, such as the table tops being placed next to a wood burning stove. It could also be due to large swings in humidified air or temperature. For example, if table tops are in storage where there is no heat or climate control, the table tops have a good chance to split and/or warp.

Balance of Humidity

Wood restaurant table tops will generally acclimatize to their environment and become very stable if they are in an environment that has consistent humidity and temperature like found in most restaurants. Wood table tops will reach moisture equilibrium matching to the relative humidity of the restaurant. If a temperature and humidity balance between the restaurant and the table top is not established relatively soon after delivery, that is when problems with the table tops will occur. For example, when restaurants are being completed, new table tops many times arrive and are stored in very low or very high humidity levels which can cause the table tops to split or warp.

Wood table tops do not like wild swings in humidity or temperature, and splitting and warping of table tops may occur if wide swings are allowed to persist for more than a few days. The lesson here is to always keep wood tables in a climate-controlled environment allowing several weeks for the table tops to adjust to their new home after being delivered. Shrinkwrapping tables in storage can help maintain the same moisture in the table tops.

2. Select the Right Wood

Wood Type

Some woods will absorb moisture and give off moisture faster than others. For example, oak is a more porous wood than ash, so oak will have a tendency to split faster than ash in the same environment. Ash, maple, and walnut have smaller veins and if made with the right moisture content are not as likely to split. Butcher block tends to split or warp less than plank lumber in environments that tend to have moderate swings in humidity and temperature. A few species of wood are not suitable for some applications.

For example, pine is soft and while some restaurants like the worn look of dents tableware make in the pine table top, easy denting of wood is unacceptable to other restaurants. Wood like lyptus, sycamore, teak, or aspen may not hold glue well or be too soft. Teak wood is very popular with many restaurants, but it cannot hold glue well. So the boards on the table top are not usually glued together.

3. Pick the Right Manufacturer

Experienced restaurant table top manufacturers will have the right moisture meters to make sure what is not seen is correct. For example, as mentioned above, if the moisture content of the wood is too high when the tables are built, they may look great, but in a drier environment, they can more easily split. The right manufacturer will know that it is not a good idea to make tables with the wrong moisture content. Quality manufacturers know the behavior of various species of wood and would not frame a solid wood table. Because the flexing of the main part of the table is likely to damage the corner joints.

4. Know the Durability of The Finish

Ironically, table tops that have water spilled on them usually will not be harmed if the table is finished correctly. However, a finish on a table will not prevent the wood from warping or splitting. If the table is manufactured with too much or too little moisture. The technology of wood finishes has changed dramatically in the last 20 years. Lacquer, catalyzed lacquer, conversion varnish, epoxy, and polyurethane are various finishes that can be put on wood restaurant table tops. Even in one category like polyurethane, there are many manufacturers and many different chemical compositions. Today, among the best finishes are good quality two-part polyurethanes. It can last until the restaurant is up for remodeling, which could be up to 10 years.

5. Where to Place Wood Restaurant Tables

All wood table tops should be put in a climate-controlled environment by a manufacturer. It makes the tables close to the environment they are going to be placed. Outdoor placement is not recommended for wood table tops because expansion and contraction of the wood happen more easily outdoors. This expansion and contraction, along with being placed in sunlight, breaks down the wood and finishes very quickly.

6. Know How to Maintain Wood Table Tops

Polishes like those found for maintenance of a residential wood table are not necessary. A quality finish from the manufacturer is all that is needed for a commercial application. It is a good idea to make sure the table tops are not used as workbenches. They are cleaned regularly. If any defects arise like splitting or abuse, these tables should be taken out of service as soon as possible. If the finish is missing and the raw wood is showing, then water can get underneath the finish. Also, cause further damage, which if left uncorrected, will eventually make the table top unusable. A secret some people perform is to recoat their tables with regular polyurethane from time to time. They are making the table tops last the lifetime of the restaurant.

Wood tables are an excellent choice for an indoor table top, as they are inviting to the restaurant customer. Wood restaurant table tops can last many years if they are manufactured correctly, placed in the appropriate environment.