Unlike regular home furniture, folding tables and chairs are made of lightweight materials, making them easy to carry and suitable for any outdoor activity that requires a comfortable seating position. Their ability to be folded flat, compact in size, makes them comfortable camping equipment suitable for fishing, hiking, the beach, picnicking in nature or for placing in the garden or terrace.
In addition to outdoor chairs, folding chairs are also used for indoor events that gather large groups of people - funerals, religious services, sporting events or competitions. They come to the rescue whenever a person needs an extra chair. The folding chair is also used in professional combat - as a weapon against the enemy.
History of folding chair
Folding chairs have been used in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, as well as by the Swedish Vikings. The chair frame was initially made of wood, rarely of metal. The wood was inlaid with beautiful art drawings, was decorated and gilded extra, and sometimes ivory was used as additional material. Unlike today, they then served more as home decor than as necessary home furniture or camping equipment. The remains of 18 folding chairs, believed to date from the Northern Bronze Age, have been found in northern Europe - one of them being the famous Daensen folding chair.
In the Middle Ages, folding chairs were widespread and fitted in with the spirit of the times as liturgical furniture placed in churches. Gradually, in the following epochs, the use of folding chairs expands - its practicality is appreciated and they are increasingly used not only for home decoration but also for family gatherings and outdoor events.
The folding chair was patented in 1855 in the United States by John Ham. Previously, in 1947, Frederick Arnold created the first aluminium folding chair with seat and back made of adhesive. By 1957, Frederick Arnold's company, based in Brooklyn, New York, produced over 14,000 chairs every day. A little later, when folding chairs, variations of other materials - hard plastic, metal or wood - were included. Models grow and refine, and folding chairs themselves become an integral part of human life.
Types of folding chairs
Wooden folding chairs. There are a variety of design types of folding chairs made of wood - from ordinary chairs suitable for events to standard garden chairs. It is an indisputable fact that the wood contributes to the good appearance of the folding chair - a wooden chair looks much more sophisticated than its plastic or metal competitor. Even special wooden folding chairs are designed for formal occasions such as weddings, cocktails, parties and all kinds of events that require stylish furnishings and decoration. This type of chairs is distinguished by its more sophisticated design, timber decoration, padded seats and armrests. Wooden folding chairs are often similar to ordinary dining chairs, except that the first folding chairs can be folded away, hidden from where they can be removed only when needed or for special occasions.
Plastic folding chairs. Chairs made of plastic are often used for various events and activities where beautiful furnishing is not paramount. They are cheaper than wooden and metal ones, lighter and more convenient to carry from one place to another. The advantage of a metal chair, as well as a wooden chair, lies in the strength and durability of the material. However, plastic ones are much lighter and in some cases a preferred option. Cleaning is very easy - they are sprayed with hose water and dried with a cloth. Folding chairs, with padded seats, are more difficult to clean, and more expensive. However, they are more comfortable, especially if there is a long sitting period, for example during fishing.
Metal folding chairs. Metal folding chairs are a more reliable option than plastic chairs. The classic folding garden chair is made of a lightweight metal frame that holds the seat and back of the fabric. Depending on the design, these chairs can be low or standard height, adjustable or fixed angles. Some folding chairs have an ergonomic elongated backrest for more comfortable reclining, while others have an extended seat to allow the legs to stretch. Both models are suitable for placement in the garden or on the beach, for camping, party or picnic, although the second does not fold as compactly as standard models. In general, metal folding chairs are a preferred option with proven quality and durability, although they are heavier than plastic ones. The most commonly used frame for metal folding chairs is steel or aluminium.
Folding chairs with steel frame are the strongest possible. Steel is a quality material whose only drawback is the weight - folding chairs made of steel are heavier than any other. Folding chairs with aluminium construction are lightweight and reliable. The aluminium frame guarantees the quality and safety of the product.
Folding chairs chaise lounge. The folding chaise lounge has fabric (100% polyester or mesh polyester) or knit attached to a wooden, metal or composite frame. More ordinary models of this type look just like hammocks attached to a frame, and some resemble traditional folding chairs. Many of the chairs available are relatively heavy and bulky, but look good and comfortable. They are suitable for beach or garden placement, but since they are made of thicker fabric, if they get wet, it takes longer to dry. Therefore, a lot of care must be taken - the risk of mould is not small since the fabric holds water. In such cases, white chairs such as lounge chairs are more suitable as they can be treated with bleach.
Folding chairs which have a metal or composite frame, are lighter than wooden chairs and more suitable for camping by car since their seats are secured via a plastic net instead of a rope. Similar to this type is the small folding chairs, which are ideal for tourism because they are very compact. Folding chairs of a durable construction type are usually preferred for the beach. Generally, these types of chairs provide maximum comfort, spine comfort, easy folding and unfolding, degrees for securing the backrest and take up relatively little space in luggage.
Folding chairs without legs. The lightest option for hikers is the folding chairs that lack a frame structure. In essence, they are an imitation of a chair - they are a simple piece of cloth, a soft seat and a backrest, between which there are adjustable hinges. Through them, the folding chair folds and unfolds in seconds, just as the pages of a book scroll. However, this species cannot stand in an unfolded position without the weight of a person, ie. stand folded only if someone is sitting on them. Their main function is to make standing on the ground more comfortable, keeping your back and hips up and providing insulation from the cold floor. Their fabric is most often polyester as it is soft, durable and easy to maintain. A variety of models are available - designed as interesting home furnishings or as custom-made camping furniture.
Folding chairs according to their rank (class)
Low-grade folding chairs - Chairs in this class are usually made entirely of plastic (these are the lightest and cheapest folding chairs) or a steel frame with a plastic seat and back. They are most often used for public events and are not favoured by tourists as they are durable, incapable of withstanding any kind of atmospheric influences and have no additional amenities.
Medium-class folding chairs - chairs in this class are made of different materials (wood, plastic, steel, aluminium). The downside to them is usually the lack of extra cover to the fabric or the frame material, which makes them relatively durable and inconvenient for prolonged use. Mid-range folding chairs are often used for outdoor activities, cafes and beer houses.
High-end folding chairs - here again fall chairs of all materials but are additionally secured with a protective coating on both the fabric and the frame. They are designed in a way that guarantees, on the one hand, the durability of the product and, on the other, lightness and compactness - an important requirement for any camper. The seats and backs of high-end chairs are extra padded and at times more comfortable than others. The seat can be adjusted in a position selected by the owner, and the regulation also has a sliding mechanism with a locking system (in the low and middle classes the position of the seat is factory-adjustable and cannot be changed). The fabric can be 100% polyester or vinyl-coated polyester mesh * (so-called "text line" material, renowned for being a high-quality material that has the ability to breathe, therefore does not vaporize and withstand humid atmospheric conditions).
The high class provides additional extras, such as a cup or bottle holder, an ergonomic pillow that can usually be removed and used in other situations, or a complete ergonomic backrest * that guarantees maximum comfort in a reclined position. A great advantage of the high class is also the curved soft armrests, which are usually easy to remove and clean. The high-quality folding chairs are widely used and are extremely versatile - suitable for camping, fishing, gardening or the terrace, as well as for all outdoor activities requiring comfortable seating.
* Vinyl coating is also known as PVC coating. It is used both for hard materials such as pipes and other structures, and for soft ones - artificial leather, raincoats, bath curtains, floor coverings. It's main function is to make the product more durable in weather conditions and to protect it from rapid wear.
* The ergonomic shape of the chairs ensures that the body is in a suitable spine-shaped position. Convenient cleaning of the spine during prolonged standing is paramount, and the ergonomic shape fits the curves of the body, ensuring the reduction of muscle tension as well as avoiding future pain and trauma in the spine, waist and shoulders.
