Useful information about folding tables and chairs
Useful information about folding tables and chairs
What is a folding table?
A folding table is a table whose legs folds. The purpose of this construction is to make the table more comfortable to store and to become portable furniture. For this reason, most folding tables are made of lightweight materials. Their advantage over ordinary one is undoubtedly their compactness, the ability to provide free space in a folded position and their multifunctionality.
Folding tables are made of different types of materials (most often plastic, metal or wood), available in different sizes and designs. Some manufacturers use special composite materials that combine several types of wood. For composite materials, the top layer is usually of high-quality natural wood and the next layer is of coniferous wood. An eco-friendly lacquer coating is added at the top, which contributes to the durability of the material and protects it from UV rays.
Folding tables and chairs are used for both outdoor and indoor events. They are a good helper when you need to add extra space to a square or rectangular table and useful equipment for camping, picnicking or other outdoor activities. Just like folding chairs, folding tables serve as a weapon against the enemy in professional combat.
A brief history of the folding tables
It is believed that the history of the folding tables dates back to ancient Egypt. In the Colonial and Victorian eras, folding tables became more popular and used. Since the beginning of the 20th century, they have become an affordable product, manufactured and sold in large quantities. In the 1940s, Durham Manufacturing was the manufacturer of the standard folding table model, and in 1951, Boris Cohen and Joseph Pucci patented the first foldable table, which is easy to carry, but not as much as modern aluminium folding tables. In the 1950s and 1960s, Falco and Samsonite tables became popular, and between 1990 and 2000 the American company Lifetime Products became the most popular manufacturer of folding tables.
How are the folding tables made?
The folding tables are folded at the feet using hinges located at the connecting part between the foot and the tabletop. In the design of the table itself, the legs are positioned so that they can be folded and closed well at the bottom of the hob while remaining firmly attached to it. Due to the need for the hinges to be the strongest and most important part of the construction of the folding tables, durable metal materials are used to make them. Some manufacturers use lightweight materials (most often aluminium) for better portability when folded.
The legs of the folding tables fold out and remain stable in this position thanks to a locking mechanism - it can simply be a metal ring that moves alone thanks to gravity, thus "locking" the legs, preventing them from folding back to the bottom of the table. The more stable folding tables have a spring locking mechanism that helps to better keep the legs folded. The legs of all types of tables also have a nozzle made of rubber, hard plastic or metal. The ends of the table itself are also important - it is advisable to have them made of galvanized steel rather than aluminium since the steel edging does not deform and protects the corners from scratching.
A single (personal) folding table is a small table (type of tray but with folding legs) designed to be used by one person. Often, such tables serve for temporary placement in front of the TV while a person is eating or wants to put his or her drink.
The multifunctional folding tables can be square, rectangular and round. They are tailored for every need - indoor, home or office, as well as outdoor, such as camping or picnic. The prices vary according to the material of which they are made (plastic, wood or metal).
A folding card table is usually a square table whose legs extend to each corner. This type of tables is most commonly used for card games (poker, bridge, whiteness) and other board games suitable for four players. They are small in size and low in cost. Some types of folding card tables are especially suited for such activities through the factory-added suede surface. Often, such tables serve to add to the main kitchen table in cases where a host needs to accommodate more guests.
Folding buffet tables are mainly used in restaurants and dining establishments where a buffet is served, ie. for temporary use. They are very popular with retailers and various product exhibitions. They are also often used for temporary offices or other purpose - besides the dining area, benches are included in the construction of typical camping and picnic tables.
The folding ironing table is a small, easily portable table whose surface is heat resistant, making it suitable for ironing clothes with iron.
The folding camping or picnic table is widely used and comes in many sizes and types. It is a great camping equipment, suitable for outdoor use, and is often used in school and university cafes. Its distinctive feature is what makes it especially adaptive for camping - besides the dining area, benches are included in the construction of typical camping and picnic tables.
The folding table with benches (also called a picnic table, picnic bench, camping bench) is usually made of wood and the legs are made of aluminium or steel. It consists of three parts - a table plus two benches. It can accommodate between six and eight people. Its weight varies depending on the materials it is made of: wood, plastic or metal.
The wooden folding camping benches are constructed using wooden boards stacked side by side. To prevent cracking, distortion and rot, they have a special protective coating that can repel water in the rain or washing. The hob and benches are connected to the support structure or beams using wooden dowels and nails. The legs are secured with movable bolts fastened with nuts and washers.
Plastic folding camping benches with veneered coverage are no less robust, durable and easy to carry. They, like the wooden ones, are well suited for picnics, camping and other outdoor activities that require masses and chairs as they are lightweight and retractable, compact.
Metal folding camping benches are also sturdy but are used more for parks and gardens as they are much heavier. They do not need special coverage. Such masses, placed in public places for free use, are almost always permanently attached to concrete pads so as not to be stolen or moved.
According to the materials and the coating: wooden folding tables, plastic folding tables, metal folding tables
Wooden / plastic folding tables
The most economical sofa tables are either wooden or plastic base (countertop). Usually, the hob is covered with a melamine coating * (melamine lacquer), which is fixed by adhesive and warming. These types of folding tables are practical, they can even be called multifunctional, but they are not suitable for serving food in establishments.
* Melamine is a chemical compound with important properties - resistance to high temperatures, light, chemicals, flammability and abrasion. It is easy to maintain and is often used in the manufacture of panels in kitchens and furniture production.
In recent years, veneer * wooden folding tables have become as accessible as melamine-coated ones. They are also lightweight, suitable for use in offices, cafes or at home. They have the disadvantage that they cannot withstand a lot of weight and have not proven to be particularly durable when folded and folded repeatedly. On the other hand, they are cheap tables that are lightweight and easily portable - a sought after feature by many users.
* Veneer is an eco-friendly material that is natural wood, obtained by cutting logs in strips between 0.50 mm and 3 mm thick. The multi-laminated wood veneer is obtained by glueing, pressing, cutting and staining of dried wood leaves, each leaf being different and unique. Veneered panels are durable and stable.
With better quality and strength are laminate coated tables that can withstand more weight. They come in different sizes, models and colours. The hob of most types is moisture-proof, able to withstand daily use, and placing a hot cup of coffee, for example, would not damage its surface. The bulk is generally thicker than the models listed above, but it does affect the weight - at least two people are needed to carry this type of table.
Tables with plywood are those that meet the needs of hotels and catering services, are applicable for home and garden or camping. They are durable and suitable for daily use, including the folding and unfolding of the table. They are made with the usual sealing coating and are laminated, which is more expensive but more durable. Uncoated, plywood needs extra cover as they are unfinished.
The folding tables of ABS plastic surface * are of a higher class. The most important properties of this material are its durability and strength, which means that these types of tables can withstand even more weight and serve longer than those listed above. The core of these folding tables is made of durable materials - wood and pressed aluminium. Often the frames are relatively thick made of steel. As it is modern workmanship, the construction is relatively lightweight, but not the cheaper and ordinary variants of wood and plastic tables. They don't have many colour choices and are for indoor use only.
* ABS means acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene - a type of thermoplastic formed by the polymerization of acrylonitrile and styrene in the presence of polybutadiene.
Metal folding tables
Aluminium folding tables guarantee durability, strength and ease of carrying. They are of the highest class, which also affects the price. The aluminium material allows the use of the table for both indoor and outdoor events, as there is no risk of rusting. Such a folding table is available in a wide range of colours and patterns. It is foldable and easy to carry, and many of the models on the market are compact folding aluminium suitcase with a handle to the base, which provides even greater convenience and suitability for any purpose. Large aluminium folding tables also fold and unfold in seconds, the same as the smaller ones they are light enough, making them well suited for family camping, picnicking or fishing. Their surface is quickly and easily cleaned and the aluminium material guarantees long-term use.
Not only standard aluminium folding tables are available on the market, but also those with different construction. The aluminium table with movable raft is also a piece of comfortable camping equipment as it is easy to transport when folded. The aluminium panels forming the top of this type of table are rolled up, thus making the table extremely compact. Aluminium tables with adjustable height provide extra convenience, which also extends the application possibilities.
Folding tables made of steel materials (most commonly used for frames and legs) are very sturdy, but are not preferred by consumers and especially by tourists and campers, as their weight is significantly higher than that of aluminium tables. However, they are a good choice if the person needs a folding table for the home, as it will certainly serve a long time and will be cheaper than the aluminium competitor.
