As the British weather brightens up and gets a little warmer, many hospitality businesses find themselves in need of finding high-quality contract and commercial outdoor furniture to meet customer demand.
Even in spring and summer, the weather can be unpredictable, so you have to ensure any outdoor furniture you invest in is durable and can withstand the ever-changing climate.
Below, we chat about how you can find the perfect outdoor furniture for your cafes, bars and restaurants and how to find chairs and tables that can deal with the spring showers and warm sunny days.
Finding commercial and contract furniture that can withstand the spring weather
When it comes to finding durable outdoor tables and chairs for your business, making sure to choose products that are made out of versatile materials is essential.
This is also another reason why it’s so important to buy furniture designed for commercial use. When outdoor furniture is created for commercial use, you get the added benefits of weatherproofing. This means that they’ve been created using materials that can withstand high winds, torrential rain, blazing sunshine and everything in between.
Commercial outdoor metal tables and chairs are great for withstanding these conditions. Some of our personal favourites currently available are listed below and all of them are weatherproofed to ensure they have longevity.
Choosing the best materials for durable commercial-grade outdoor tables and chairs
All of our commercial-grade outdoor furniture is carefully designed to ensure maximum longevity in the outdoors. However, there are some key differences between types of materials that you may want to be aware of before making a large order.
Commercial outdoor tables and chairs come in three main materials: metal, wood and plastic. Each has its own unique pros and cons, however, all of them make excellent outdoor furniture.
Metal outdoor furniture
Advantages of metal outdoor furniture
- Metal outdoor furniture is extremely durable, especially tables and chairs made from aluminium, which doesn’t rust – something that is extremely desirable with the English weather.
- Metal can also withstand a variety of different weather conditions, from rain, sun and frost. This means you can confidently leave your furniture outdoors, even when not in use, saving the need for additional storage space.
- Another key advantage is how easy metal furniture is to maintain and keep clean. With minimal upkeep, metal furniture can be a great investment all year round.
Disadvantages of metal outdoor furniture
- It’s worth noting that if your outdoor space is in direct sunlight for most of the day, this may cause metal outdoor furniture to become very hot during the day. This would require extra health and safety checks and notices to ensure customers are safe and well-informed when handling the furniture.
- Metal furniture can be expensive depending on the design, however, it comes with minimal maintenance costs.
Metal outdoor furniture: Recommended products
Plastic outdoor furniture
Advantages of plastic outdoor furniture
- Plastic outdoor furniture is extremely durable, avoiding common issues such as rot, rust and fading. It’s also great for wet and high humidity conditions that are typical of British springtime.
- Out of the three types of materials, plastic is by far the most affordable option, and if you’re an eco-conscious business, you can easily find sustainable, weather-resistant furniture made from plastic.
- Plastic furniture also tends to be very lightweight, meaning if you want your staff and customers to be able to easily move furniture around your outdoor spaces, this is the perfect option.
Disadvantages of plastic outdoor furniture
- While plastic outdoor furniture offers a wide range of high-quality designs, it may not provide the same classic or traditional appearance as wood or metal. The choice ultimately depends on the specific aesthetic you want to achieve for your business’s outdoor spaces.
- Low-quality plastic furniture can sustain sun damage over time, causing it to crack over time. This means you should check with your commercial furniture supplier as to whether it is UV-resistant, to ensure maximum longevity.
Plastic outdoor furniture: Recommended products
Wooden outdoor furniture
Advantages of wooden outdoor furniture
- Wood provides a natural aesthetic which can blend seamlessly into outdoor spaces. Not only is it comfortable, it also adds a softness and a warmth to an outside space.
- With the right care, hardwoods like teak or robinia can withstand the test of time. They are durable when taken care of, but maintenance is key.
- Wooden outdoor furniture for cafes, restaurants and bistros can be incredibly eco-friendly when sourced correctly, helping any business with their eco-friendly or sustainable ethos.
Disadvantages of wooden outdoor furniture
- Wooden furniture does demand regular maintenance, so it’s important that you’re clued up on what needs to be done to ensure it stays in great commercial-grade condition.
- High-quality wooden furniture made from woods like teak can come at a higher cost. You can opt for softer woods, but these tend to be slightly less durable for outdoor use.
- Wooden furniture can also be a lot heavier than products made from metal or plastic. If you have a designated outdoor space for your business, wooden furniture can make a great permanent addition. But if you need to be able to store or move tables and chairs easily, opting for something more lightweight is recommended.
Wood outdoor furniture: Recommended products
Metal vs Plastic vs Wooden commercial outdoor furniture
| Material | Durability | Maintenance | Cost | Aesthetic | Portability |
| Plastic | High | Very Low | Low | Moderate | Very High |
| Metal | Very High | Low-Moderate | Low-Moderate | High | Moderate |
| Wood | Moderate-High | Moderate-High | Moderate-High | Very High | Low |
The importance of choosing durable outdoor furniture and maintaining it
Every year, from March to September, searches for terms like ‘beer garden’ and outdoor seating’ spike. By ensuring you’re prepared for this influx of outdoor diners in spring and summer, not only can you keep your customers happy, you can also ensure you’re always attracting new customers to your business.
If you’re starting to see more of your customers in search of outdoor seating, get in touch with our sales team to find out how we can help you find the perfect commercial and contract outdoor furniture.
Click here to fill in our bespoke quote form and one of our team will be in touch shortly.