“Nothing ruins a dining experience faster than a wobbly table.”
Table bases are your restaurant’s less recognized resilient partners that keep everything steady—your tables, guests’ meals, and the delicacies you serve. However, picking the right base isn’t always easy, as every restaurant is structurally and thematically different. During this process, you may find yourself wondering:
- Which type of table base is best for different tables?
- What factors should I consider when choosing between different styles?
- What’s the most durable and stable material?
- How heavy should a table base be?
- What’s the right height for my setup?
If these questions sound familiar, you are in the right place. This blog will guide you to buy the best table bases for restaurants, but let’s first understand their significance.
Why Do Table Bases Matter?
Table bases provide essential stability, preventing wobbling, spills, and potential safety hazards while enhancing customer satisfaction. A well-designed base ensures proper weight distribution and maximizes seating efficiency. This gives the guests enough legroom while allowing staff to move around with ease. Durability is another factor, where bases made from high-quality material ensure longevity, reducing the need for frequent replacement. They also contribute to your restaurant’s overall design with their various available styles.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor Table Bases
Choosing restaurant table bases depends on where they will be used, i.e., indoor or outdoor, as both these have the following distinctive requirements:
Material
- Indoor Table Bases: Indoor table bases, not exposed to outdoor elements, can be made from materials like wood, cast iron, or steel for durability and design flexibility. These bases provide durability, weight support, and design flexibility while adding warmth and appeal.
- Outdoor Table Bases: Withstanding rain, UV rays, and temperature fluctuations is one of the essential factors to consider in table base selection for outdoor areas. You can select bases made from rust-resistant materials like powder-coated aluminum. These bases with anti-corrosion finishes can easily help prevent deterioration and ensure longevity, especially in harsh environments.
Size consideration
- Indoor Table Bases: Restaurants with indoor settings commonly have level floors. In this case, you can pick a standard size range of 22” to 30” round or square bases for smaller tables. You can opt for double bases or T-style support for larger communal tables.
- Outdoor Table Bases: If your restaurant has an outdoor seating area, you need table bases that offer stability on uneven surfaces and withstand windy conditions. Heavier or widespread bases can keep the tables secure. You can also choose durable table bases for restaurants with adjustable levelers for a comfortable dining experience.
Design
- Indoor Table Bases: Your restaurant’s style should reflect your choice of table-based design. Indoor seating style allows more design freedom which is why you can either select pedestal bases for a modern touch or ornate cast iron bases for vintage charm.
- Outdoor Table Bases: Invest in sturdy pedestal designs or wide-bottom bases to balance in an open-air environment. These bases feature a well-balanced design that minimizes movement and resists moisture while enhancing the overall appeal of your outdoor setup.
Additional Features to Keep in Mind
Mobility And Locking Casters
Restaurants that frequently rearrange seating layouts or host events need table bases with locking casters. These wheels attach easily to the base, allowing smooth movement while keeping tables securely in place.
Footrest Comfort
Look for bases with integrated footrests, especially if your restaurant includes bar areas or high-top seating. This improves guest relaxation, encourages longer stays, and makes seating more practical.
Noise Reduction Characteristics
Since noise levels in busy restaurants affect the ambiance, choosing table bases with rubber or felt padding can help minimize it. This minimizes the scraping sound on hard floors and creates a quieter, pleasant experience for your guests.
Customization Options
Restaurants require table bases that can adhere to tailored seating plan needs and overall theme decor. These options also help ensure a perfect fit, maximize space, accommodate distinct layouts, and match the aesthetics of your restaurant.
Modular And Expandable Options
Opt for bases that allow modular configurations, serving the flexible seating needs of your restaurants. These bases can be linked together to support larger tables or separated for smaller setups.
Floor Compliance For Stable Table Bases in Restaurants
Floor compliance is an essential factor. Even the most durable table bases can become unstable without proper floor compliance. Here are the compliance guidelines that ensure bases meet the safety standards:
- The floors must be free of obstructions, cracks, and warping.
- Regularly inspect your flooring using a leveling tool to detect dips, bumps, or sloped areas accurately. If uneven surfaces are found, grind down high spots or fill in low areas with suitable leveling compounds to create a stable floor.
- Opt for non-slip, durable materials like vinyl, ceramic tiles, or polished concrete, and avoid soft flooring. Additionally, ensure that patterned floors are smooth to prevent tripping hazards.
- If your restaurant has warped wood, peeling surfaces, or loose tiles, you must address and repair these issues immediately. Ensure all floorboards are securely fastened and free from gaps or creaks.
- Avoid greasy or waxy coatings that can cause the bases to slip. Instead, apply sealants as they are ideal for high-traffic areas.
- Check your restaurant’s floor load capacity to ensure it can safely support the weight of heavy tables and chairs without compromising structural integrity.
- Testing procedures must be followed to examine the stability of restaurant tables and bases under normal use conditions.
Conclusion
Table bases are often overlooked but are the foundational element that contributes significantly to your restaurant’s reputation. They are truly responsible for ensuring stability, proper space utilization, and how well-maintained your seating area appears. A well-chosen table base also complements your decor and makes it look eye-pleasing. That’s why we’ve put together all the essential details to help you find the perfect fit for your restaurant’s needs.
But if you need more help, reach out to Fly Goat Inc. We are a leading American supplier and wholesaler of restaurant tables and bases, offering you a wide collection to choose from.
