On comfort, weight limits, and hidden design sins

Even those not given to anthropomorphism can see a malicious, alligator-like vendetta in the snapping hinges of folding chairs and tables. For expert wrangling advice, I spoke with Joel Landau from A&W Metal Works, interior designer Dini Weinstock, and custom fabricator Yehuda Tropper of Hadar Custom Woodcraft.

Materials

Folding seats and tabletops can be made of plastic, wood, metal, or synthetics like acrylic.

Tubular steel folding chairs (the archetypal chairs you see most often) can hold up to 500 lbs. These chairs are the most sensitive to wetness and rust if left outdoors. When maintained, they can last up to 20 years. Check product descriptions to see if the metal is powder-coated, which will help it last longer. You can also spray metal frames in Rust-Oleum to prevent weather damage, but this will not protect the frames as much as powder-coating.

Plastic and acrylic can endure rain and heat, but they can crack under weight or abuse. Plastic is more comfortable than acrylic because it is softer, while acrylic makes for some of the most elegant folding furniture. Most manufacturers say that these chairs can hold up to 250 lbs, but this estimate is for short-term use. Sitting in the chair for over two hours will put more strain on the frame than the estimate allows.

Fabric makes the comfiest and lightest director-style folding chairs. When these chairs are made of a solid-color neutral fabric and wood legs, they have a unique, high-end aesthetic. Director’s chairs last best when made of outdoor fabric. A well-made fabric folding chair can hold up to 350 lbs, but quality varies greatly.

Some folding chairs have a thin foam cushion within the seat. A high-quality chair will be made with high-density foam cushion. Synthetic upholstery materials like vinyl often rip, but this can be fixed with a DIY project or with a slipcover in an outdoor material. Avoid seat upholstery that feels sticky to bare skin, like many synthetic fabrics.

Slipcovers and Cushions

Like tablecloths, slipcovers hide a multitude of sins and can elevate even the humblest chairs. Slipcovers (and tablecloths) in outdoor fabrics are available at all price points, from Amazon and Wayfair to Frontgate and Williams-Sonoma. You can also purchase outdoor seat cushions that tie sweetly to chair backs, but be careful to match the size of the cushion to the size of the chair. A little smaller is okay, but a cushion that’s too big for the chair will not work. Cushions make chairs much comfier, but they do not elevate the entire look the way slipcovers do. They also raise the seat height by a few inches — great for kids.

The Frame

The frame of the chair, bench, or table will have the biggest impact on how long the chair will last and how much weight it can handle. Metal is superior to plastic or synthetics. Some high-end folding chairs are available in wood, which is great for furniture frames. But when it comes to folding chairs, the wood frame is often extra-slim and won’t hold a lot of weight.

Disability Concerns

People with limited motion, such as those with recent hip replacements, often find it hard to lower themselves onto a seat. For these guests, consider a high bar-stool with arm rests and a high back. Bar-stools are available in outdoor-rated furniture and in folding options. If a cushion will be added to a high stool, it must be extra secure. You can secure cushions (even those used indoors and/or for fully able guests) with Velcro.

Ergonomics

It’s easy for an amateur to check a chair’s ergonomics. See if the seat and back are contoured to reflect a human shape, or if they are flat slabs. The back should also tilt backward at least a little. Flat-slab chairs look sleek and minimalist, but they are very difficult to sit on for more than an hour.

The best folding tables have a wood-veneer top. This veneer is attached to the frame by a band around the table’s rim. The best tables have metal bands and metal closing tables (as opposed to plastic).

Stacking Chairs

These often take up less square footage than folding chairs, especially if your storage room has a high ceiling. The average folding chair has a seat that is between 18" square to 22" square, but stacking chairs made for party venues can be as slim as 15" square, which maximizes seating. These chairs come in elegant, minimalist styles, but some hold only up to 200 lbs.

(Originally featured in Family First, Issue 975)