Choosing the best
foldable table
These articles sponsored by Lifetime Products,®
Inc. The world’s leading manufacturer of
folding tables and chairs, the company was
founded in 1986 as the maker of portable
basketball systems that revolutionized the
industry. With diverse offerings such as outdoor storage sheds and steel utility trailers,
Lifetime continues to develop innovative
products for the way you live.
A FOLDABLE TABLE is an incredibly useful piece of furniture. You can pull
it out for projects at work and home, as an extra table for a holiday meal, as a
food station for an outdoor gathering and much, much more.
But not all foldable tables are made the same. Buy one of inferior quality
and you might be sorry at an inopportune time. Here’s a primer of what to
look for in table construction.
The right materials
Top-quality tables begin with the right materials. The three important
factors are:
High-impact polyethylene. This makes tables stronger, lighter and more
durable than wood. Polyethylene will not crack, chip or peel and is formulated to withstand extended wear and tear and the harshest elements. These
tabletops are stain resistant and easy to clean.
High-impact polyethylene can include UV inhibitors that make the table
resistant to heat and extended exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun.
Powder-coated steel. Powder coating makes steel parts more resistant to
chips, scratches and regular wear and tear. It also makes parts resistant to
corrosion and protects them from UV damage brought on by exposure to the
sun, making it a great all-weather finish.
Mar-proof leg caps. High-impact plastic leg caps give tables a stable and
balanced foundation, preventing the steel tubing from leaving marks on the
floor or scraping the ground.
Advanced design features
A look at design and construction can help you determine a table’s quality.
Consider these factors:
Leg design. Is the steel tubing strong enough to handle the load? Also, good
leg design gives the user more leg clearance at each end of the table, providing
more comfortable sitting area while maintaining strength and stability.
Double-wall construction. Dual-wall construction improves rigidity and
keeps the table panel flat so there are no sags or soft spots.
Parting-line design. The bond at the parting line (the blow-molding seam)
is important. The seam should be thicker than the rest of the plastic wall,
providing a strong seal.
Corner design. Corners should be impact resistant to keep the top from
crushing if the table is dropped inadvertently on its corner.
