Aluminum tables - you’ve probably come across them everywhere in: schools, restaurants, bistros, and even bars. Aluminum tables seem to be the hottest item in the furniture market, and many might be wondering what makes aluminum tables allure irresistible in comparison to that of iron, wooden, and plastic tables on the market. The answer to that would lie in three principal aspects that make aluminum tables so popular nowadays.
1. Durability
You’ve seen it all: broken wheels, loose leg pads, and many other issues that arise with time when using tables. The cushioning for such tables tends to be cheap and takes less than a couple of years to be completely worn off. You might think, but what about aluminum tables? They do use the same cushioning indeed, but the design with aluminum tables is so flexible to the extent that it enables such protective pads to stay put for the coming years. Cushioning for aluminum chairs is easily removed, washed, and can be changed for a different one throughout the years. Other materials have the cushioning as a built in feature, and you will have to get rid of the whole table.
Another aspect that makes aluminum tables so durable is its resistance to rust. Rust is one of the number one enemies to any business dealing in customer service since it implies negligence and poor atmosphere. For those using iron tables, they know by now that their tables are not rain friendly and will certain need painting every now and then, if not they will need one of those expensive anti-rust products sold for hundreds of dollars. While aluminum does not rust, Iron tables will not last a year if left in damp areas, since the water’s reaction with water will create red flakes or rust. Aluminum does indeed corrode, but the product Aluminum Oxide acts as a layer of protection eliminating further corrosion; this makes it one of the most durable metals used in the furniture market.
If we were to examine wooden tables, we’ll notice that wood will start forming a black or whitish layer if not cared for on a daily basis. This layer known as mold appears if the table is exposed to water or damp atmospheres. This makes wood, again, not resilient to rain, dampness, and other factors such as constant washing of the floor - something all hygienic bistro restaurants do on a daily basis. Aluminum on the other hand, is resilient to mold at all times.
Another issue that arises from hot weather, especially for bistros in sunny areas, is that tables will often look faded and dusty, even if they’re not old or dirty. This is a direct disadvantage of using wooden tables, and yet another point on aluminum’s page.
Vulnerability is one of the key issues to tackle when discussing durability. How susceptible are aluminum, wood, and iron tables to damage? Wood ranks pretty low when it comes to damage resiliency, for wood is not very durable unless it is one of the more expensive options. Iron tables rank in the middle, since many owners report that bent iron can never be put back to shape completely. Aluminum ranks as top one when it comes to damage control, for it is highly resilient to any shocks or attacks. One expects aluminum to survive any local bistro argument between customers and to last during protests, riots and other unpredicted damage fests.
2. Flexibility
Aluminum tables tend to be very flexible when used in a bistro. Why are they so flexible? It’s for the very same reason why airplanes are made out of aluminum: weight. Aluminum is a light metal, unlike Iron, that will require a moving force at times to move the tables. Wooden tables and aluminum tables can be considered to be highly flexible, however; wood tables still weigh more in the typical international measures.
We consider aluminum to be versatile, thus making it more flexible in terms of re-decoration. You can add a cover on an aluminum table for a more formal, chic look, or customize it to your bistro’s needs. While iron and wood tables can be covered for a formal event, it’s hard to add customization to them such as colored wallpaper, stars, etc. Bumper stickers can be easily removed from an aluminum surface, unlike the other two, thus more people choose aluminum tables in bistros that have monthly themes.
3. Cost
What do aluminum and plastic tables have in common? Other than the fact that they’re both light, aluminum tables and plastic tables are both cheap in the market. The one difference would be that the quality of a plastic table might fool you at first sight, since they usually end up being broken, bent, or becoming yellow in the sun. Aluminum tables are worth every dime you pay. Iron tables, at least the ones that don’t look like a design crime in the making, can cost you an arm and a leg. Wood tables, mainly depending on their origin, can be moderately priced or stab any man’s budget in the face.
Aluminum tables also give you the option of cheap custom-making. Most of the manufacturers of aluminum tables provide competitive rates for bulk, so designing ones in accordance with the colors of the bistro’s logo will become a very feasible idea, unlike wood and iron. Not to mention that with aluminum manufacturers, all sorts of signature engravings are available and presented at a competitive rate, while wood and iron manufacturers can cost you an arm and a leg for a custom engraving on every table or chair.
Custom aluminum makers are a dime a dozen and are available almost everywhere. This is due to the fact that the aluminum furniture equipment is much cheaper than iron and other materials. You can easily contact a group of makers before settling on one, you can look for the best deal.
To sum up, durability, flexibility, and cost make aluminum an excellent option for any bistro owner with their quality, weight, and price.