Choosing the Right Table Tops for Your Restaurant: From Size to Material and Everything In Between

One of the most important aspects of your restaurant is your tables. Your guests can’t sit down and eat if you don’t have tables for them to sit at. Solid wood table tops come in a wide range of styles, sizes, shapes, and colors.

Just as tables can be versatile, so can the concepts you can choose from for your new establishment. You want to select the best type of table tops for your restaurant, but the choice isn’t always very clear.

Tips for Choosing Restaurant Tables

When it comes to commercial table tops, you want to pick something that will work well with your overall concept. Here are some guidelines to think about when you’re choosing your table tops.

Usage

Your table tops need to be resilient in order to protect against the regular wear and tear your guests will put them through. They will get scratched, scarred, stained, and who knows what else. You can use commercial grade coasting to protect the surface of your table tops from extreme use. If you’re planning on using your tables outside, you’ll need special materials and coatings so they can withstand the changing climate and weather. If your restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dining, you can even stick with all outdoor furniture to prevent any interior pieces from accidentally ending up outside and getting damaged.

Popular Sizes

It’s your restaurant, and you can include any size table you want. What you choose will depend on what type of restaurant you have and how much space you have in the dining area. For example, you typically want more space between solid wood table tops in fine dining restaurants than you do in more casual settings. Some of the most popular restaurant table top sizes include:

• 24″, 30″ and 36″ square or round
• 25″x 30″ rectangular
• 30″x 30″ pedestal-style

Popular Shapes

The shape of your table tops helps lay out the proportion of your dining area. The amount of space can also be used more efficiently when the table tops are arranged accordingly. Standard shapes range from round, square, and rectangular forms. The overall size can help you determine the seating capacity for reach table top too.

Materials

Finally, you can choose from a variety of materials for your restaurant table tops. Each material has its own pros and cons. Some of the more popular materials for table tops include:

• Granite: Granite table tops are a commercial grade that can be safely placed inside or outside. Generally speaking, restaurants that want to have a ritzy look to attract customers tend to use granite. These table tops look beautiful and they offer a solid feeling of stone. They also create a nice ambiance in the restaurant.
• Metal:  When it comes to metal table tops, aluminum and stainless steel are really the most popular options. They are efficient and can be used inside or outside. Typically, metal table tops are functional, lightweight, and easily moveable for cleaning. If you’re looking for a contemporary look in your restaurant, then metal is probably the way to go.
• Laminate: Laminate is a cheaper option when it comes to table tops, and it comes in hundreds of colors. You also have many styles and size options with laminate. They are durable and easy to maintain for the most part. Laminate table tops usually come in either round, square, or rectangular shapes.
• Resin: Resin tables tops are known for their economic nature, low maintenance qualities, and fantastic looks. Lake laminate, resin comes in a wide variety of colors and finishes. They are easy to clean and reduce heat and reflection, so they’re great to use outside.
• Strong Wood: Finally, solid wood table tops are one of the popular options when it comes to material. They are incredibly durable and economical. Solid wood table tops can be paired with a variety of different bases to look amazing. Wood offers a warm environment that looks and feel natural. Solid wood table tops also last an incredibly long time.

Why Reclaimed Wood Table Tops are the Best

Out of all the materials listed above, solid wood table tops made of reclaimed wood really are your best option. Reclaimed wood is incredibly popular right now, and it’s easy to see why when you list all the benefits of reclaimed wood.

It’s Sustainable/Eco-Friendly

Reclaimed wood is incredibly sustainable, even more sustainable than regular wood materials. You’re basically recycling a renewable resource for double the use. Rather than demolishing an old barn or wood structure and throwing out the waste, you can reuse the wood and create something else. The majority of hardwood trees take between 40 years to 60 years to fully mature, so being able to save the forests is amazingly beneficial for the environment.

It Looks Great

Unlike newly sources wood, reclaimed wood has been weathered for decades, giving it a much different look. Reclaimed wood adds character and charm to any kitchen or restaurant, giving it a more traditional and historic look.

It’s Durable

Reclaimed wood is incredibly strong, stable, and durable. Thanks to several decades of wear and tear, as mentioned above, reclaimed wood has expanded and contracted due to changes in humidity, climate, and temperature countless times; when it’s finally harvested, it’s in its final state. This gives you a more stable, durable, and strong product that can easily stand up to the wear and tear of your restaurant’s guests.

It’s Versatile

Because old structures used a number of different kinds of wood species based on the region, there are several different wood looks available with reclaimed wood. Plus, since reclaimed wood can’t be purchased new, it provides a very unique look for your restaurant.

If you want the best table tops for your restaurant, check out our reclaimed solid wood table tops today.