| One of the most important investments that any | | | | aluminum being the more lightweight one. Generally, |
| restaurant owner will make involves the purchase of | | | | there is a finish applied to the metal to enhance the |
| furniture. Restaurant furnishings provide more than | | | | appearance of the metal and to protect it from wear |
| mere function. Furnishings set the tone of a customer's | | | | and tear. To determine which metal is which, place a |
| experience by providing comfort and functionality as | | | | magnet on the metal. A magnet will stick to steel, but |
| well as ambiance. Furniture that quickly deteriorates | | | | not to aluminum. Steel is categorized into low, medium, |
| imparts a shabby feel to the restaurant thereby | | | | and high carbon strengths with higher strengths |
| lowering the customer's perception of the restaurant | | | | associated with higher costs. However, low carbon |
| as a whole. Although cost is arguably a major factor in | | | | steel is adequate for most general use applications. To |
| the purchase of restaurant furniture, the wise investor | | | | determine the quality of aluminum or steel furniture, look |
| knows that cost cannot be the only consideration. The | | | | for weight, joint quality, sturdiness, floor protection, vent |
| initial cost of furniture often belies the actual, long-term | | | | holes, and reupholster potential. Lightweight furniture |
| cost. Furniture that breaks down in a short period of | | | | may be an indication of the use of aluminum or other |
| time and must be replaced is no bargain. | | | | thin metal. Quality joints are determined by the use of |
| Knowing a few facts about how to recognize quality | | | | screws, bolts, rivets, or welding, with welding being the |
| furniture will ensure that the furniture is functional, | | | | preferred method. The most durable weld is called |
| fashionable, as well as durable. Long lasting furniture is | | | | "brazing" which uses brass to join two pieces of metal. |
| often supported by a longer, more comprehensive | | | | Brazing is smoother than other forms of welding and |
| warranty. Quality wooden furniture is produced from | | | | scratching the finish will reveal the brass underneath. |
| solid hardwoods such as oak, maple, or cherry. | | | | Rivets should be solid with smooth heads and bolts |
| Hardwood furniture is often the best investment | | | | should be countersunk with self-locking nuts that will |
| because it can be repaired rather than replaced. Solid | | | | prevent the joint from loosening. Screws are the least |
| hardwood furniture provides the longest-lasting service | | | | durable way to join metals as they tend to work loose |
| of all wood furnishings. Beware of the term "solid | | | | easily. |
| wood" however, as it may also indicate the use of | | | | Quality is also determined by point of manufacture. |
| pressed wood products and chip board products, | | | | Many developing nations have now entered the |
| known as engineered wood products, which are not | | | | furniture market and produce a significant amount of |
| nearly as durable and do not lend to repeated repairs. | | | | today's restaurant and commercial furnishings in |
| To check for frame sturdiness, place pressure on the | | | | addition to residential offerings. These developing |
| frame and wiggle it. | | | | markets produce inexpensive furnishings quickly and |
| Quality upholstered furniture is again evidenced by the | | | | efficiently. However, they often work with outdated |
| length and extent of its warranty. Frames constructed | | | | equipment and substandard components. Third world |
| of solid hardwoods are more durable than soft woods | | | | markets product furnishings constructed of softer |
| or engineered wood. Upholstered furniture should be | | | | woods because they are inexpensive to import; these |
| assembled with screws and/or dowels as opposed to | | | | areas just to not have hardwood lumbers available |
| staples which will clearly not hold up to sustained | | | | within their own borders. Additionally, harder woods are |
| commercial use. Joints should be tight and the frame | | | | heavier, making them more expensive to ship, |
| should be straight and level. For furniture that contains | | | | therefore softer, lighter woods prove to be significantly |
| springs, the springs should be tightly packed for the | | | | more economical for these developing markets. The |
| best comfort and support. Finally, the padding used in | | | | furniture manufactured by third world markets is often |
| upholstered furniture has a great deal to do with how | | | | mass produced so quickly by using substandard |
| the piece wears. Inadequately padded furniture allows | | | | methods of construction, such as staples, spot welding, |
| the fabric to rub against the framing which will cause | | | | and poorly applied finishes. A significant portion of the |
| the fabric to wear faster resulting in its needing to be | | | | design process in these markets is devoted to fashion, |
| replaced sooner. Most reputable manufacturers of | | | | not function. Although the products that are |
| upholstered furniture will provide a cutaway view of | | | | manufactured are often the latest designs and look |
| their product(s) with complete descriptions of what | | | | nice, they are of poor quality and will not last under |
| materials have been used in construction. If the | | | | sustained commercial use. |
| furniture has seat cushions, the weight of the cushion is | | | | To avoid significant replacement costs, restaurant |
| a good determinant of quality. Quality cushion foams | | | | furniture should be purchased with quality and durability |
| are heavier than lower quality grades of seat foam. | | | | as the major deciding factor. Budgeting for quality |
| Any furniture selected should be sturdy and have | | | | furniture will reduce the overall cost of the furniture by |
| "reupholstery potential". Upholstered furniture is easier | | | | acquiring furniture that can be repaired and/or |
| to maintain if the seats and backs are removable | | | | reupholstered rather than replaced when it becomes |
| which renders them easier to transport. Fabrics should | | | | subject to the significant wear and tear that restaurant |
| be of commercial grade quality. Generally, fabrics | | | | furniture inevitably sustains. Spending extra money up |
| made of nylon and/or olefin give longer lasting wear | | | | front will pay off in the long run. Comparing quality and |
| than natural fibers. Additionally, fabrics should be flame | | | | long-term cost against the purchase of cheaply |
| retardant and stain treated. | | | | manufactured, poor quality furniture undeniably |
| Metal furniture is a viable selection for restaurant | | | | indicates that investing in good quality furniture with |
| furniture because it presents durable comfort at a | | | | attention to detailed construction is the better bet. The |
| reasonable price. Metal furniture is generally | | | | difference between replacing restaurant furniture in six |
| constructed of either steel or aluminum with steel being | | | | months as opposed to several years will produce a |
| the more durable, and more expensive, option, and | | | | significant return on the initial investment. |