A folding table can be one of the most worthwhile purchases you can make. With a folding table you will always have room for extra guests for dinner or room to play a rousing game of cards. A folding table will serve its purpose when you need it and then tuck away neatly until you need the extra space again.
Folding Table Shopping Guide
When you buy a folding table, there are a few things you need to take into consideration before you buy. You need to remember that all folding tables are not created the same. Some will fold more compact than others, some will be more portable, and still others will be made for specialty purposes such as computer tables, sewing tables, and such.
First of all you should determine what the primary purpose of your folding table will be. Are you looking for a table that you can take camping and use as a folding picnic table? Perhaps you are looking for a table that you can set up when you have extra guests or you want to spend the afternoon creating craft projects.
Knowing how you plan to use the table before you buy can really help with your decision. For instance, if you want a table that you can take camping or take places, then you will want a table that is lightweight and folds into a size that is easy to manage. However, you will also want a table that is sturdy. We have all experienced a folding table that is rickety and threatens to collapse under any sort of weight. This is what you do not want in a folding table!
Folding Table Construction Materials
The materials the folding table is made of should also be a consideration. You will find folding tables made of a variety of materials from plastic and resin composites to aluminum and wood. Most folding table legs will be made of metal, but some wood tables will have wooden legs that attach to the table top.
If you plan to use the table for a variety of purposes, both outdoor and indoor, then you will want a folding table with a durable and weather resistant material. A plastic or resin type material is probably your best choice because it will dry quickly, wipe clean easily and will not rust if exposed to the elements.
For a lightweight table that you can move from place to place with ease, then a plastic or resin folding table will be the best choice once again. These materials are crafted to be lightweight yet strong so it can support the weight you put on it without being heavy to carry.
There are many beautiful folding tables that are made of wood. Some of these tables have a slat top construction that rolls up and fits with the table legs into a carrying bag. This type of folding table is very portable so you can have an attractive table at your outdoor parties or campsite!
Keep in mind that most wooden tables will be heavier than a folding table made of plastic. If you are looking for a table that is portable and you need more function than beauty, then a plastic folding table is your best bet.
Another type of material you may see on a folding table is a padded table top. This is common for card tables. The soft, slightly padded surface is nice when you are playing cards or other games. Usually this type of table will come in a folding table and chairs set with a square table and four folding chairs. One thing to note about using a table such as this, the soft vinyl surface will melt and tear so it isn’t a good idea to use this type of folding table as a craft table. Cuts and tears in the surface can be repaired using plastic tape.
Folding Table Styles
Probably one of the most common types of folding table is the folding banquet table. These tables are long rectangular tables that can serve a wide variety of purposes. Sure, they are called a banquet table since they can seat several people for dinner, but they are used in so many different ways that they really should be called an all-purpose folding table! Often you will see this type of folding table set up at different types of events as a registration table or to hold literature. They are great for garage sales because you can display a lot of stuff on them.
It used to be that a banquet size folding table only folded at the legs, so you have a long, flat table to store. But now you can find this size folding table that also folds in the middle so it folds to roughly the size of a card table. This type of folding banquet table is so much easier to store, plus they are lighter than the old style banquet table so they are easier to take places as well!
But banquet tables aren’t the only type of folding table on the market. If you want almost any type of table you will probably be able to find a folding version of it, from sewing and crafting folding tables to folding serving tables and everything in between. The best thing about all the different choices for a folding table is they are so easy to set up and take down. You can easily take a folding table with you camping or for a picnic. A small folding table is even great for the beach. You can keep all your food and drinks out of the sand!
College students can really benefit from many of the folding table styles. A small folding table can be a great makeshift desk than can foldaway when not in use. You can also find small folding computer tables that take up very little space, and we all know how valuable space is in a dorm room!
A folding table really is a great investment. You can use these portable tables for so many different purposes. What type of folding table will you get?