The Ultimate Guide to Commercial Chairs - Babmar

The chairs used in commercial outdoor furniture have different requirements than what’s needed in residential chairs. They must stand up to constant use and remain comfortable for years. They must resist punishing weather elements, like rain and sun. That requires special designs and materials that will keep those chairs performing at peak throughout their lifespan.

What are Commercial Chairs?

Commercial chairs are specifically designed for greater durability and use over time than residential chairs. They can be used in settings from restaurants to hotels, offices to airports and cafes. Commercial chairs are manufactured to much stricter industry standards than other pieces. They’re tested for safety, durability, and quality.

Commercial chairs are built to withstand greater weights. For example, a residential chair typically accommodates up to 250 pounds; a commercial chair is built for weights of 350 pounds or more through stronger joints and materials.

Commercial outdoor dining chairs require fabrics that are stain, fire and weather-resistant. The frames are built from rust-resistant metals like steel and aluminum, or strong woods that have a protective and scratch-resistant coating to keep them looking pristine for years. The cushions are made to stay firm and comfortable over constant use, and to resist mold and mildew.

All told, commercial outdoor dining chairs are built to work over years of constant use and remain comfortable and stylish over that time.

Types of Commercial Chairs

Commericial chairs are used in many different environments, whether it’s accent chairs in a busy office or outdoor club chairs at a chic restaurant space or hotel. Dining chairs, bar stools, and outdoor lounge chairs are other examples of commercial chairs. All are built to add enduring style and comfort to a space. No matter which type of commercial chair that you choose, they must be strong, meet industry standards for durability and safey, and add some flair. Here’s a basic breakdown of the types of chairs that are available.

Dining Chairs

Whether it’s an armless dining chair or commercial outdoor dining chairs, commercial dining chairs are manufactured to support greater weight than a residential dining chair. The joints and frame materials are stronger. The fabrics are weather, stain, and fire-resistant. These steps result in longer performance, both in appearance and comfort.

Bar Stools

The bar stools of a commercial outdoor bar set must accommodate weights of all kinds. That requires durable materials like steel or wood frames that are reinforced to industry standards. Fabrics and cushions must be durable enough to withstand constant use, and resist stains and wear and tear. If they’ll be used outdoors, they need to hold up against weather elements and moisture.

Lounge Chairs

Commercial lounge chairs add a special note of luxury and relaxation. Like any piece of commercial outdoor furniture, they should be constructed to specific industry and safety standards. The frames should be rust and rot-resistant (which typically requires special materials and protective coatings). Cushions must be constructed to stay firm and supportive over heavy usage; they should withstand moisture and remain mold-resistant. Special fabrics are used, specifically created to stay looking great even after years of exposure to sun, rain, and wind.

Outdoor Commercial Chairs

Like all quality commercial outdoor furniture, outdoor chairs must adhere to safety standards (such as being able to withstand greater weight) and be made of durable materials that will remain comfortable and stay looking great over years of heavy use.

Key Considerations for Choosing Restaurant Chairs

The right restaurant chair allows guests to relax and be comfortable during their dining experience. If they’re comfortable, they’ll spend more time and money in an establishment. Plus, the style of the chair instantly elevates the decor.

However, restaurant chairs are functional. Because they’ll get heavy use, several qualities are needed to ensure that you have chairs that will work for years. Durability is essential, both in the frames and the materials used. From frame to fabric, the quality of materials is important to ensure you’ll get years of use from your investment.

The comfort of a restaurant chair is key; you want patrons to relax and enjoy everything a business has to offer. This requires a smart, ergonomic design.

Naturally, you want the chair to look great and add aesthetic appeal to the space. And speaking of space, you need restaurant chairs that won’t be too small or too bulky, in order to use available space for efficiently.

Because cleanliness is everything in the restaurant industry, being able to easily clean and maintain your chairs is essential. This includes everything from the frames to the cushions (which are certain to get their share of spills).

Durability

Restaurant chairs are manufactured to industry standards that requires frames that support heavier weights and fabrics that will withstand stains, spots, and heavy use. Chair frames are often constructed with special coatings to prevent scratches and keep them looking fresh.

Material Quality

Materials in restaurant chairs need to hold up over constant use. Fabrics should be stain and fire-resistant; commercial outdoor dining chairs also need to handle punishing outdoor elements like sun and rain. The material used in chair frames must be strong enough to comfortably support higher weights than what a residential chair needs.

Comfort and Ergonomics

The main purpose of a restaurant chair is to provide guests with comfort. A lot of ergonomic principles go into the design of restaurant chairs to provide optimal heights and widths for the space.

These principles apply to armrests (or lack thereof), back rests, and more.

Aesthetic Appeal

Naturally, you want your restaurant chairs to add some style. The commercial furniture industry has learned how to combine ergonomics and construction standards in ways that look great. There are so many options to find restaurant chairs that will elevate your space.

Space Efficiency

More seating equals more revenue, so having restaurant chairs that best fit your space is vital. This can break down to dining arm chairs or an armless dining chair. Armed dining chairs take up more space, but are good for longer, more formal meals. Armless dining chairs are easier to move around a space, let a restaurant accommodate more people, and are good for informal meals.

Maintenance

Restaurant furniture endures a lot of wear and tear. Maintaining cleanliness plus the aesthetics is important, so you want chairs that are easy to care for. Restaurant chairs typically feature fabrics that resist stains and are frequently fire-resistant as well. Frames are often coated with special finishes that resist knicks, dings, and scratches.

Materials Used in Commercial Chairs

Even though they must meet strict industry and safety standards, manufacturers of commercial chairs have found ways to make them both durable and attractive. There are so many options to choose from; Babmar is one of the most trusted names in commercial furniture, offering commercial chairs in a variety of materials.

Wood

Wood adds warmth and depth to a restaurant space. But they must be able to withstand the stresses of constant use. For commercial outdoor dining chairs, a wood like teak is built to hold up against weather. Woods used in a restaurant setting are typically given a protective coating to resist scratches.

Metal

Metals like steel and aluminum provide sturdy frames and minimalist style in a restaurant chair. These metals are also top choices for outdoor furniture because they’re lightweight and resist rust and corrosion.

Plastic

Plastic is a great material for many restaurant chairs because it can be used in different ways, such as creating a sturdy woven wicker that looks great and holds up. Plastic is lightweight and easy to care for.

Upholstered

Upholstered restaurant chairs are both comfortable and add an upscale note.. When choosing an upholstered chair, ensure that the materials are stain-resistant and can endure regular heavy use. If your chairs are meant for outdoor use, the fabrics must be moisture resistant to battle mold and mildew, and be able to withstand elements like sunlight.

What are the Differences Between Commercial and Residential Chairs?

Residential chairs don’t endure the hard use that commercial chairs undergo. The materials are more varied and don’t need to meet the same kinds of standards regarding durability and strength. Commercial chairs must meet requirements for stain, weather, and fire-resistance.

Residential chairs offer a wider range of style and fabric options to suit personal styles. Commercial chairs are typically offered in more neutral designs and colors in order to better blend with a variety of different settings (although there may be options for customization depending on the furniture seller).

Conclusion

The right kind of commercial chairs can instantly upgrade a space with both style and comfort for patrons. On the business end, quality commercial chairs make the day to day needs of a commercial space much easier by streamlining maintenance needs. Unlike cheap chairs, these are specifically designed with special fabrics and materials meant for the uniquely punishing conditions of commercial use. Investing in high-quality commercial chairs, such as those you’ll find from Babmar, will save you money over the long run and pay off in years of use.