Unfolding the Facts about Folding Tables and Chairs
By: Eileen Jaecks

So, you're heading up the purchasing committee for new folding tables and chairs for the church hall. Where do you go from here?

First and foremost, you're lucky your church has already narrowed its search down to folding tables and chairs. These are the essentials for multi-seating areas, such as churches, auditoriums, conference and meeting rooms, and schools. Folding tables and chairs can be brought out whenever and wherever needed, and then easily stored away when not in use.

Folding tables and chairs also give you the greatest flexibility in space management in places that have dual or multiple purposes. A room that hosted the Boy Scout pancake breakfast in the morning can be quickly re-configured to accommodate a Bible Study group in the afternoon and perhaps even a Potluck Dinner in the evening.

But, the versatility and convenience of folding tables and chairs also means that they are likely to be subjected to extreme usage and abuse. Tables will be dragged across the floor instead of being correctly folded, placed on carts or trucks, and rolled into position. Chairs will also be subject to repeated abuse as they are stacked up, set up, dragged around a room, and sometimes dropped repeatedly.

Obviously, no one (except you) will remember that these tables and chairs represent a substantial investment. And, since you will, indeed, remember every penny that they cost (and probably every bake sale, car wash and flea market that you organized to raise those funds), you have a vested interest in selecting the best folding tables and chairs for your money. Otherwise, you may have to go through all of this again in a year or so to a chorus of complaints about the cheap, shoddy tables and chairs you bought the first time.

All you need is a short course on the basics, and you will be an expert in no time. So, here goes.

Folding Chairs
There are a lot of folding chairs on the market, and it won't be long before they all start to look alike. But looks aren't everything, so here are some of the most important features that determine the true measure of a chair.

1. Frame
Most folding chairs have metal frames, and the strength of the metal is measured by its gauge. The lower the gauge number, the thicker and stronger the metal. Folding chairs for heavy-duty institutional use should have at least an 18-gauge or 19-gauge frame. You may be tempted by lower prices on chairs sold at chain stores or warehouse clubs, but they may have only 19-gauge or 20-gauge frames and may not stand up to heavy use.

2. Cross-Braces
These are the metal bars that connect the legs to each other. They strengthen and stabilize the frame. For maximum strength and durability, look for double-riveted, inverted-U cross braces on both the front and rear legs.

3. Hinges
These are metal bars located on each side of the seat, at the point where the chair folds and unfolds. Double hinges (two on each side) provide maximum durability.

4. Seat and Back
This is the area that most determines the comfort of the person sitting in the chair. There are four major seat/back styles:

First, all-metal chairs will typically be the lowest-priced style. It will stand up to very heavy use while requiring little or no maintenance. All-metal chairs are particularly well suited to applications that do not involve long periods of sitting since they have no padding. Comfort can be enhanced, however, by choosing models that have contoured seats and backs.

Second, fabric-upholstered style is available with seat thicknesses ranging from 1 to 3 inches and provides the most comfort during extended periods of sitting. And, while looks may not be everything, fabrics are available in a wide range of colors and patterns to provide attractive options for any setting.

Third, vinyl-upholstered seating combines comfort with easy, wipe-clean maintenance. Vinyl is ideal when chairs will frequently be used in areas where food will be served.

Fourth, plastic chairs with plastic seats and backs folding chairs are significantly lighter in weight than other folding chairs but still capable of holding weights of at least 250 pounds. They are weather-resistant and easily cleaned, making them ideal for outdoor events.

Folding Tables
When it comes to choosing a table, the key is not to start at the beginning, but at the top...the table top.

1. Top Material
Most folding table tops are constructed of plywood, particleboard or blow-molded plastic. How you will use the table will determine the top style you need.

Plywood is for intensive-use applications. Solid plywood is considered one of the strongest table cores on the market. Plywood tables usually feature a high-pressure laminate covering, which has a high-degree of burn, stain, and scratch resistance.

Particleboard is for light to medium use. Particleboard is made up of small wood pieces bonded together. Particleboard tops may have a low-pressure laminate or melamine covering, which is not as durable as high-pressure laminate.

Blow-molded plastic is an increasingly popular choice among churches. These tables are lightweight and easy to carry. The tough, blow-molded plastic is impact-resistant and maintenance-free, and it won't chip, crack, rot or peel. These tables are also weather-resistant, making them ideal for outdoor as well as indoor use.

2. Frame
Most folding tables have steel legs, but as with folding chairs, the strength of the steel varies. Be sure to check the gauge of the steel used, and remember that the lower the gauge, the stronger the steel. Also, be sure to check that the legs have a folding mechanism that locks securely in both the open and closed positions.

3. Height
Folding tables are available with fixed or adjustable-height legs. Fixed-height tables are a standard adult height of 29 inches or 30 inches. Adjustable-height tables usually move in one-inch increments across a broader range of heights, from as low as 19 inches to as high as 32 inches, and provide greater flexibility when working with children.

Here is one last consideration. Most of the people who will be moving and setting up the tables and chairs are not professional furniture movers. They're probably volunteer members of the congregation, with very little experience and possibly not in ideal shape for the task. So, make their job a little easier by including table trucks and chair dollies when you make your purchase. Your volunteers will thank you for it. 

Eileen Jaecks is the marketing manager of ATD-American. Since 1931, ATD-American has been a source of experience for furniture for America's churches, www.atdamerican.com/church-furniture.

Sidebar
Making the Most of Your Investment in Portable Furniture
By Beth Clark

"Return on investment" is a term usually more pertinent to corporations than congregations, but in a troubled economy and its more difficult fundraising environment, how money is invested becomes a concern for all.

Investments in furniture, specifically, ought to be justified not only on immediate satisfaction but also on product life. This trend is decidedly true with growing congregations where the need for new capital seems endless and spending money replacing short-lived furniture is agonizing.

But, how do religious leaders with little furniture expertise and less time sort the good-value, long-life products from the bad?

Buyer Beware
Virtually any furniture product your church might need is only an Internet search away.   This is both an opportunity and a problem in that "Internet resellers" may have only a superficial knowledge of the products they are selling.  Some are literally taking an unfamiliar product, adding a profit margin, and sending your order to a warehouse operation. This lack of product experience translates into risk for your church – risk that products will be shipped with damage, that they will not hold up over time, that the Internet reseller will be out of business when you have a problem.

Start with the Basics
The most basic way to eliminate risk is to know the company with whom you are doing business. For example, how many years has the company been in business? Do they manufacture the products you are buying or just resell them? Can they offer at least five references of other satisfied church buyers?  Being thorough with knowing the company is a necessary step.

Choosing the Best Value Products
Doing business with an established company is no guarantee of best product value. The reality is that even among credible companies, some products are better than others. The smart buyer must have some idea of what makes some furniture products better than others, and this information is found in the "specifications."

This information, usually supplied in a separate "specifications" document, identifies not only the materials used to make the furniture, but also how parts are fastened, what painting process is applied, and other important manufacturing details, including the applicable manufacturer's warranty. 

To learn from this information, ask the manufacturer to explain why they've chosen the materials and manufacturing methods they offer and to contrast their choices with those of other manufacturers.
 
Give Some Attention to Portability
If you're buying tables and chairs to be moved, used, moved again and stored, then some attention to portability is warranted. Ask your chosen supplier what is it about their products that make them move and store conveniently? For movement, individual item weight must be a consideration, but some suppliers have excellent rolling cart solutions that allow safe, easy movement of multiple items at once.

With a small investment of time and a strong dose of common sense, your church's purchases of portable furniture can be an excellent use of precious capital in products that last for years and years.

Beth Clark is the marketing manager for Palmer Snyder, www.palmersnyder.com.

Product Roundup: Tables & Chairs

Lightweight Fan-Back Folding Chair from Hertz
Hertz Furniture has expanded its line of Fan-Back Folding Chairs to include a lightweight folding chair. The rounded fan back provides ergonomic comfort and breath-ability, while the plastic seat makes this lightweight – only 9 1/2 pounds. The plastic seat is supported from underneath by a heavy-duty steel frame.
www.hertzfurniture.com/rpn

Church Chairs by Carstone
Carstone Seating has been producing quality church chairs for more than 20 years. A 100-percent American-made product, Carstone's chairs have been proven to stand the test of time thanks to their sound frame construction and the use of top-quality domestic materials in each product. Carstone Seating recently launched their latest Web venture, a site designed and developed with the specific needs of church pastors, leaders and procurement personnel in mind.
www.churchchairsbycarstone.com

Samsonite Folding Tables Available at ChurchPartner
ChurchPartner offers a new line of lightweight folding tables manufactured by Cosco/Samsonite. These folding tables, appropriately called Samson tables, offer that lightweight mobility and strength through a unique bracing configuration and patented folding design. The Samson table features easy-release Snap Lock legs, with one-hand folding mechanism, Tuff-Core construction, and Bar None leg design, increasing leg room and seating capacity.
www.churchpartner.com

Worship Chairs
When a Church decides to renovate or build a new facility, one of the many questions they must face is: "Do we want pews or chairs?" While many churches want to keep traditional pews as the foundation of their sanctuary, most churches are now opting for Worship Chairs to meet their seating needs. Worship Chairs will allow for versatile use of space. With most chair styles, a ganging device is included to allow chairs to connect together creating a pew-like row. With the many different styles and sizes available, Worship Chairs is sure to have the right chair for you.
www.WorshipChairs.com

Tall Wing Back Church Chairs from Worthington Direct
This popular, tall, wing back church chair from Worthington Direct has a wide, 3-inch-thick seat cushion for added comfort. Standard features include: Underseat front and rear stretcher bars, Built-in Lumbar Support for comfortable seating during services, Permanent Ganging to create rows, and Stack bumpers to prevent scratches when stacked. It stacks easily 6 to 8 high. Worthington Direct offers a great variety of school furniture, church furniture, and early childhood furniture.
www.worthingtondirect.com

Flex-Fit Seat by Bertolini
The Flex-Fit seat by Bertolini Sanctuary is designed with ergonomic characteristics, enhanced by the right mix or rigidity and flex to create a controlled flex that's comfortable time after time. The seating features innovation, durability, comfort, and Fit-Tight fastening system. The Flex-Fit seat combined with the patented Ergo-V back is the latest in the Impressions series by Bertolini. 
www.sanctuaryseating.com

Commercialite from McCourt
At roughly half the cost of traditional plastic folding tables, the Commercialite Folding Table is one of the strongest, lightest, most affordable indoor/outdoor folding tables on the market. Blow Mold technology allows McCourt to produce polyethylene plastic tops to resist heat, stains, chemicals, and physical damage. Their U.S. Steel frame with wishbone folding leg system bolts through the table top, not just into it, allowing the Commercialite to support more than 3,500 pounds.
www.mccourtmfg.com

Church Chair
Does your church need chairs quick? Ask about Church Chair's Quick Ship Program.
The chairs are commonly shipped in as little as two weeks or faster. Church Chair seating is known for its comfort, elegance, durability, quality, great looks, and ergonomic innovation. They offer total customer satisfaction, quick shipping in the industry and a great warranty. Your comfort is their business.
www.churchchair.com

Alulite Table by Southern Aluminum
Constructed of aircraft-grade aluminum, Southern Aluminum's Alulite table will not crack, rust or warp after extended usage or exposure to heat, moisture, or sunlight. With an average weight of only 35 pounds, the Alulite table can hold up to 4,000 pounds of distributed weight. With a finish option of anodized or durable baked-on powder-coat finish, the heavy-duty tables are easy to clean and maintain. Table trucks help save valuable storage space and make set-up and take down quick and easy. 
www.southernaluminum.com