Restaurant furniture manufactured from wood always has been, and probably always will be, one of the most popular choices. Why is wood so popular? Wood is durable, economical and looks great in almost any setting. For business owners considering wood restaurant furniture, it pays to gain some knowledge about what constitutes quality wood furniture. This blog highlights three aspects that contribute to creating a quality piece of wood furniture.
1. Construction
Wood restaurant tables, such as butcher block tables, can be constructed by taking flat pieces of lumber, putting them on their edge, and then gluing them together. What you see is an accumulation of lumber edges, which makes the top look like various strips of wood. Butcher block tables are sometimes made where some of the strips of lumber are made of two or more pieces of wood, joined end to end, instead of one continuous board. Since smaller pieces are used and not discarded, this table will cost less, but will be functional and durable. There are also veneer butcher block tables that are constructed from thin pieces of wood and particle board underneath. Many times wood restaurant tables will be made this way to keep the cost down. While not necessarily a 100 percent solid lumber, this type of table can still be practical and economical. Since particle board is less expensive, this type of butcher block will be less cost than one that is all wood and no particle board. This type of construction generally is much harder to customize over tables that are made completely from wood.
Proper construction of wood restaurant chairs goes a long way towards contributing to a chair’s quality and durability. It is not possible to determine the quality of a wood chair simply by looking at a picture. There are multiple ways of assembling wood chairs, and it is necessary to do some research into the type of construction used on any chairs considered for purchase. For example, on wood chairs a compressed mortise and tenon joint is superior construction, followed by tight fitting leg joints that use a nail or screw to secure stretchers into the leg. An example of a weak wood chairs are those that are finished first as pieces, and then assembled, causing the glue to not stick properly between the leg and the pieces that connect the legs called stretchers. In a heavy traffic restaurant these chairs tend to become loose, and ultimately dangerous to use.
2. Finish
When considering any wood furniture purchase, the finish of the wood is vital. Staining and sanding, and then a properly applied finish with quality stain materials will enhance the look and quality of wood barstools, chairs and tables. A good stain applied in the right color adds a natural beauty and character to the wood. Whatever type of stain color you select, the stain color should be even throughout the piece of furniture. The clear finish that goes over the stain is most important because not all clear finishes are made the same. Some will break down with water, others are very strong but brittle.
So, some finishes are better than others. A bad finish can cause a brand new wood table or chair to appear old and worn out much more quickly than a properly finished chair or table. To lower the initial cost of a wood block table, some manufacturers will use a cheaper or outdated technology. Catalyzed varnish has been a common finish that has been good for restaurant tables, but newer finishes like the new 2 part polyurethanes are much better. Better finishes can double the life of the table top. For example, in a busy restaurant, a catalyzed varnish will last about 4-5 years where a two part polyurethane finish may last 10 years. That is a big re-finishing expense that can be put off for a long time.
3. Warranty
For any restaurant owners considering purchasing wood restaurant furniture, be sure to research the vendor you are considering purchasing from. Just as with any other restaurant furniture purchase, it’s important to buy wood restaurant tables, chairs and barstools from an experienced and reputable vendor. All quality commercial wood furniture will come with a warranty for its commercial use in restaurants and hospitality industries. A commercial warranty will protect your restaurant in the unlikely event something goes wrong with your wood furniture.
