Purchasing the right folding table for your church is not as easy as it sounds. Fortunately, the needs of most churches revolve around three critical issues: durability, flexibility and affordability. Most tables meet two of the three criteria easily, so it's up to the church to decide upon their priorities. We asked ChurchPartner, www.churchpartner.com--a national dealer of tables, among other church supplies and furniture--to recommend tables in various price breakdowns, based on your budget and needs.

$50 - $120
National Public Seating
National Public Seating uses blow-mold technology – the process of injecting air into a plastic form – to create a highly resilient rigid surface without any internal framework.  The honeycomb design of the plastic provides structure without weight. Additional rigidity is gained by steel rails beneath the table surface. These double as supports for the folding legs, also constructed of 18-gauge steel. The primary drawback to this or any blow-mold folding table is durability. It is not designed to support weight, as the surface is softer than comparable higher-end plastic surface tables.

$85 to $190
Virco Manufacturing
Historically, the particleboard core folding table is both the backbone and back breaker of most churches. Even today, most churches still utilize heavy particleboard tables because someone keeps fixing them. Probably the best of the breed currently on the market is manufactured by Virco. A unique feature of the Virco product is their Safe Edge apron.  Instead of cutting your hand on the metal apron that supports the surface, Virco rolls the steel, making it very comfortable to use when lifting. The most obvious downside to particleboard core tables is their weight. Another drawback is their relative scarcity.

$115 to $350
Midwest Folding
Matching existing tables yet wanting a lighter and durable table makes the Midwest Folding Plywood core tables a viable option. These tables are built with AC-grade plywood core, allowing them to weigh from 10% to 20% less than traditional particleboard core tables while withstanding corner impacts better than particleboard.  While very strong, a main drawback of any wood table is deterioration over time. All steel hardware is secured to the table with wood screws that can work their way out with use. While lighter than other wood tables, plywood will still weigh more than most plastic tables on the market and can cost as much almost as much as the higher-end ABS plastic tables.

$120 to $350
Mity-Lite
Mity-Lite holds the honor of being the pioneer in lightweight folding tables. Generally 40% to 50% lighter that typical wood folding tables, Mity-Lite combines the strength of wood with the durability of ABS plastic. Mity-Lite cores their tables with hardwood and plywood substructure and then encases the frame with ABS plastic. With a selection of more than 50 sizes, seven surface colors, three preschool colors and three leg colors, customization to the needs of the facility is easy.