Hill Cross Furniture 
An outdoor eatery is a favourite amongst consumers. Once the typical British weather subsides, using a commercial outdoor space for dining and drinks is a great way to get more people into your venue, as well as offering a more memorable experience. If committing to an al-fresco space with your restaurant, cafe or other venue, you need to invest in high-quality outdoor dining tables.
This article will expand on the most essential aspects of commercial outdoor tables, touching on structural stability, operational flexibility, material quality and aesthetics, among other things. It should act as your ultimate guide for smart buying.
Structural stability is essential for combatting the ‘wobble’
Outdoor dining spaces can have a variety of different floors, including wooden slats, gravel, cobbles, stone slabs and more. That’s why it’s very common for tables to be unusably wobbly. That’s why it’s important to seek out stability elements in tables, such as:
- NOROCK self stabilisation technology
- Heavy bases to prevent winds or umbrellas from toppling the unit
- Steady pedestals or legs
A wobbly table could be a barrier to getting those all-important repeat customers.
Proper material choices for resilience & performance
It’s not all about the stability of the base. It’s also important to choose outdoor table and chairs sets for quality materials on the surface. The top of the table is what takes the most abuse throughout its lifetime, with UV rays, food spills, hot plates and cleaning chemicals, across thousands of customers. Some good materials and pro-performance design elements include:
- Injection-molded polypropylene, which can be reinforced with fiberglass for added strength
- Compact laminate, which is non-porous and high-performance
- Galvanised, thermoset powder-coated metal that won’t fade under the beating sun
- Slatted, perforated or lattice designs to help with heat dissipation
- Teak or iroko can give a premium, organic feel
- Seamless edges are essential, as glued-on edging will fail due to heat expansion
It’s important to pick materials that have been designed to perform, whether shopping for full dining tables or outdoor cocktail tables for post dinner drinks.
Shopping for operational agility
Commercial outdoor tables have to be staff-friendly, ensuring they can move them and use them in versatile ways.
- Flip-tops and tilt mechanisms allow the top to flip up vertically, meaning 10 tables can be nested together in storage, ideal for cafes with limited space
- Glides can be installed on the feet to help protect your terrace flooring from scrapes
- Tables can include parasol through-holes and stabiliser rings to allow for umbrellas and shelters to be integrated
Consider your location, space requirements and flooring when shopping for tables.
Finding tables that suit your aesthetics
With all of these operational considerations in mind, you might also be wondering how you can find the tables that best suit your business aesthetics. The best way to do that is to seek out a reputable supplier, such as Hill Cross Furniture. We stock a massive variety of different outdoor dining tables, as well as offering individual guidance and bespoke options, having earned countless positive reviews of weather resistant dining options over the years.
Whatever vibe you’re trying to capture, we can connect you with the perfect looking and functioning outdoor dining tables and beyond. Get in touch today to find out more.
