Pros & Cons of Table Finishes

We would all love to dine at the nicest marble and wood top tables, but that is not practical in the least. There are different table top materials and finishes for a reason: practicality.

First off, practicality of price. Solid wood table tops most likely do not make the best business sense for a start-up restaurant with a small budget. Though they may look nice, the richness of a solid wood table does not come cheap. Most small restaurants opt for more budget-friendly dining tables by choosing laminate tables, or simply getting inexpensive plastic tables and covering them with linens. It is smart to think about the long run cost of tables, as well. For example, if you choose to use linen table cloths, you will have laundry costs. Also some table materials may require special cleaning products or re-finishing on a regular basis. All these factors will impact your bottom line.

Practicality as it impacts your daily operations is another extremely important aspect of table top shopping. Some table top materials are better suited to certain environments. You most likely would not put a solid wood table on a patio because wood is likely to warp in the elements. A metal table top might hold up better. But metal also has the downside of becoming extremely hot in direct sunlight. After considering all the pros and cons of different table tops you might choose to go with a synthetic material such as faux stone or some sort of plastic.

The options are virtually limitless when it comes to table top materials and finishes. Make your decision based on what will work best for your environment and budget.