Restaurant patios are fantastic additions that help pull in lots of extra diners during pleasant weather. Of course, selecting outdoor patio furniture is not as simple as one may think; these chairs and tables need to withstand the weather, the customers, and the food and drinks. Here are five characteristics to look for in a potential set of restaurant patio furniture.
1. Resistance to Exposure
Exposure to the elements can be dangerous for any dining furniture, no matter how sturdy and strong it may seem. In particular, the sun can wreak slow but deadly havoc on many materials, including wood, woven fibers and plastic. While the sun bleaches away color and weakens the structure of the furniture, rain and other precipitation can exaggerate the destructive process by causing cracks and rust. Accordingly, it’s important to use furniture that is resistant to water damage, and furniture should be kept out of direct sunlight whenever possible.
2. Weight
Heavy chairs and tables will be very difficult to move around, while light furniture is prone to being knocked over by wind. Choose something that will stay put but also allow for a little movement.
3. Durable Materials
Teak is the most weather-resistant wood, which makes it a popular choice for commercial patio chairs and tables. Stainless steel and durable plastics are also good choices, since they are water-resistant and reasonably strong.
4. Ease of Maintenance
Restaurant patio furniture is probably some of the most well-cleaned furniture in the world, since it needs to be attractive and safe around food and drinks. Keeping that in mind, outside tables and chairs should be easy to clean. It’s better to wipe a chair clean with a soap cloth than to have to scrub the upholstery after every splash or spill.
5. Corrosion Resistance
The most common form of furniture corrosion is rust. Stainless steel is only temporarily resistant to water and humidity in the air, so it isn’t ideal for tropical climates. On the other hand, dry air and cold weather can break down plastic chairs and cause them to crack. Restaurant designers should always use furniture materials suited to the environment, then make sure they are cleaned and maintained regularly.
Choose well and the restaurant patio furniture will happily seat thousands of diners!
