Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Galvanized Steel Picnic Table Frames


Galvanized Steel Picnic Table Frames offer an alternative way to build your own picnic tables.



RV Parks and Campgrounds many times purchase these heavy duty picnic table frames and make their own top and seat. This eliminates shipping tops and seats which can save money when considering project budgets.



Frames that bolt together are the least expensive. They are made from 2 3/8” OD or 1 5/8” OD galvanized schedule 40 pipe.



Welded frames are available in the same size tubing and make strong stable picnic tables. Strong enough for public abuse, they are used in many National Parks and campgrounds for outdoor picnic tables.



These frames offer the same convenient walk-thru design popular when purchasing complete picnic table. Sometimes buying the Galvanized steel picnic table frames is the right choice for customers.

Fiberglass Picnic Tables


Fiberglass picnic tables are very popular for schools and businesses that use picnic tables for multiple uses.



One of the few picnic tables that offer a smooth surface for seats and the table top; this feature accommodates uses when a writing surface is required. Very few commercial picnic tables meet this requirement.



Fiberglass tables can be purchased in round, square and rectangular sizes. The square and round are popular with schools for encouraging social interaction as the seats oppose each other.



They also accommodate a market or garden umbrella in the center of the table.



Galvanized frames give long lasting strong structure for stability. These frames feature a walk through design to allow easy access without stepping over the seat to sit down.



Another great feature of fiberglass picnic tables is the color selection. Many project require matching school, sports team or business colors. These tables are just the right selection for many of our customers.

Evolution of the Casual Furniture Market Place


The Casual Furniture Industry is a Multi Billion dollar industry providing Chaise Lounges, Pool Furniture, Patio Furniture, Tables, Outdoor Chairs and Casual Dining Sets.



Prior to the past several years the industry has been dominated by many Domestic Companies such as Brown Jordan, Telescope, Tropitone, Woodard and others. Distribution occurred mainly through specialty furniture retailers.



The industry is very seasonal and requires manufacturing to cycle with the demand. These are some of the reasons that imported goods have been slow to penetrate the US market. The cost to ship containers made it difficult for Imports to be profitable. However, as with many sectors of the US market, the available margin between the selling price of the domestic goods and the cost of imported goods made it feasible to sell large quantities through the mass market retailers.
The past 5 years has seen imported casual furniture market quickly change.




Foreign manufactures began to court mass retailers and find enough shelf space to handle sending containers from China and other Asian Countries. Grocery stores Walmart/Sam’s Club, Costco -- Cosco, Kmart, Sears and the large Box Retailers brought cheaper imported furniture for store stock. Tables, Chairs that had held higher domestic value were ”knocked off” for a lower price. This furniture limited the style and color options. For instance, “you can have any color you want just as long as it is white!”.



Consumers found the tradeoff acceptable, lower price with fewer options. However, limited style wasn’t the only compromise. Many times there was a difference in quality as well. Imports commonly used steel to reinforce aluminum tubing which rusts. Many times the furniture left out in the weather would leave rust stains on the floor and furniture. Finish quality also failed to meet customers’ expectation as paint flaked off and was not up to domestic standards.



Pressure of imports, costs of raw materials and energy costs are and have been accelerating prices giving way to inflation. Manufacturers will have to be keen to compete or loose more domestic business.



Today we have almost every big box retailer from the Grocery Store to Cosco and Sam’s selling Casual Outdoor Furniture. The main fare is Outdoor Dining Sets that are used in combination with an umbrella. This leads to a new story about a new product UBrace™ to anchor the table/umbrella mechanism. To be discussed another day soon.



About the Author
John Gravlee is the Owner of Furniture Leisure, Inc.
www.furnitureleisure.com. Mr. Gravlee has supplied outdoor furniture to the hospitality, multi-family housing and business industry for over 20 years. Seven years ago he developed his first e-commerce on line store. Since then sales have expanded domestically and to international destinations.

Concrete Picnic Tables


Furniture Leisure’s selection of pre-cast concrete picnic tables features square, rectangular, round, oval and octagonal tables. These high quality concrete picnic tables require very low maintenance which makes them an excellent choice for outdoor cafés and parks.



Some of our concrete picnic tables feature a built in umbrella-hole and due to the weight of these tables makes an umbrella stand unnecessary. The tables are made from a steel reinforced pre-cast concrete which meets ASTM specifications.



Characteristics of Commercial Picnic Tables
Commercial Picnic Tables are used extensively in the USA and other countries for many uses besides just parks. Some of the uses include employee dining for businesses, dining for sporting facilities, Fast food establishments, schools, Theme parks, Multi-family communities, highway rest stops and the list goes on. If one just observes these types of establishments, the amount of uses and purchases are astounding. Recently a major manufacturer suggested that the market size is over 100 million annually.



It might be questioned what makes a table commercial versus just a picnic table. No one has actually defined this distinction; however, suppliers of picnic tables would serve to give a definition from the types sold. Generally speaking, all wood tables cross the commercial line. Wood tables are usually built and distributed to local markets. One major benefit of wood tables is they are generally inexpensive. Wood tables are not generally available in large quantities, difficult to ship economically and have the draw-back of an all wood product use outdoors all year.
Commercial picnic tables come in some basic mediums.




Concrete, Galvanized Frames with wood, aluminum, recycled plastic, fiberglass or plastic coated steel tops and seats are common tables. They may be rectangular, square, round, octagonal or custom sizes to accommodate handicap users. Almost all are shipped unassembled to the end user. Some tables are chosen to meet a strong need such as deterrents to theft, constant public abuse such as graffiti, carving or any vandalism humans seem to create. Often concrete is used as the ultimate indestructible table. However, plastic coated are extremely popular and can be mounted in-ground for a permanent table.



Manufacturers of commercial picnic tables are mainly in the USA. Dealers exist that provide catalogs to specifiers and designers. Also, in the past 6 years as the internet has developed, dealers offer e-commerce stores to purchase and receive information about these products.

Pool Furniture for Commercial Use


Furniture Leisure is a top supplier of Pool Furniture for commercial use made in the USA. Relax and enjoy outdoor leisure in one of our commercial chaise lounges. Most pool furniture for commercial use is stackable for convenience. Lounge comfortably with our aluminum vinyl strap furniture or Sling fabric styles. These commercial grade lounges and pool chairs make the day seam like a dream. Sitting by the water relaxing after a hard days work has never been more relaxing.



The Island Collection features the St. Maarten strap pool furniture for commercial use that uses durable double wrap for strength and quality. This furniture stacks and is available with heavy duty sling styles as well. All materials are made in the USA. Hardware and fasteners on this pool furniture for commercial use is all stainless steel for long lasting beauty.



Pool Furniture for commercial use Styles and Uses
The swimming pool deck is a demanding environment for the hospitality and multi-family industry. Many times the pool is used as a first impression to entice customers. Children as well as adults are attracted to the beautiful blue water and the refreshment it promises. Pool furniture not only has to look good but hold up to the commercial demands of public use.
Pool furniture made for public use comes in quite a few styles and is always made to meet or exceed the expected variations of people it will serve. To run through the major types there are aluminum with vinyl straps, sling fabric (both aluminum framed and resin), Resin or commercial plastic, recycled plastic and in some cases wood.
The style selected most likely will have to stand up to weather extremes and constant use in the warmer states like Florida , Texas , and California . Seasonal States like North Carolina , Iowa , or Minnesota are not as demanding due to the shorter season of use.
Factors that are weight heavily in choosing pool furniture for commercial use are long-term maintenance, colors and level of comfort. The aluminum frame used with vinyl straps is perhaps the most common found on pool decks. This pool furniture is one of the most common styles but is still used at some of the major resort hotels. An example is the Marriott in Orlando . It is one of the largest properties in that company and uses this type of furniture. The aluminum furniture can be refurbished by replacing the straps periodically. The comfort level is good as the straps support the weight of the user and have a certain amount of stretch or give.
Another furniture style that has become more popular is the “sling” style. Fabric is attached to a frame to support the user. The original concept started in the army in World War I as cots were made by stretching fabric over a frame to make a portable bed. Today the same concept is used, however, the frame may be resin or aluminum depending on the manufacturer. This furniture has a higher level of comfort and has more designs available as many fabric options offer color and pattern as well. Maintenance over time is more difficult as replacing the sling can be difficult. Matching the fabric after a couple years can also be a problem due to discontinued fabrics and fading.




Plastic resin furniture made by several manufacturers offers a sling product. This product has found acceptance even on cruise ships. Resin furniture stands up to sunshine, salt and corrosive elements often found present around swimming pools. This furniture usually offers less options for color and patter, however, it cost less as well.
Plastic Resin is also used extensively as it is less expensive than other styles and is made to commercial standards. Chaise lounges and chairs are made to compliment each other and they stack for convenience. Note: Most commercial properties require that the furniture stacks for storage.
The last style mentioned here are recycled plastic and wood. They are mentioned together as the recycled plastic imitates typical wood styles. Wood was used on beaches and around pools before the technology of aluminum extrusion or plastic molding was available. Today a new recycling industry has evolved reusing plastic and making it the size of lumber. This has led to new furniture styles imitating the old made from this new material. Therefore the styles resemble the early wood chaise lounges and chairs found on the beach in the early twentieth century.
Notice the type pool furniture at your next hotel stay. It most assuredly will be one of these types.
John Gravlee is the author and maintains two e-commerce stores for outdoor furniture needs.
www.furnitureleisure.com is a resource for information about commercial picnic tables.



Outdoor Pool Furniture used Commercially
Pool furniture is essential to providing a quality, relaxing atmosphere whether for you and your family in your backyard pool or at a hotel, motel, neighborhood YMCA, or any place where a pool might be. Pool furniture can be found just about everywhere and is used in all states including: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming, and during any time of the year.



Pool furniture comes in many different styles and materials as well. Certain types of materials are better for certain situations. For example Resin pool furniture is naturally impervious to salt water and many of the natural harmful effects the atmosphere can have. Synthetic resins are materials with similar properties to natural resins, viscous liquids capable of hardening. They are typically manufactured by etherification or soaping of organic compounds. The classic variety is epoxy resin, manufactured through polymerization-polyaddition or polycondensation reactions, used as a thermoset polymer for adhesives and composites. One more category, which constitutes 75% of resins used, is Unsaturated Polyester Resin. All of these types work wonderfully for an outdoor pool situation where the damaging effects of the atmosphere are worst. Resin will also keep maintenance time and costs low. Another good option for pool furniture would be aluminum strap.



Aluminum pool furniture is very popular and seen at many major hotels across the country. Unlike the resin which is one piece, aluminum pool furniture has a frame for the lounge or chair and then straps are wrapped around the frame to provide the support. There are many advantages to having strapped pool furniture. One advantage is the ability to replace the straps once they are worn, giving the chair or lounge a brand new look. With strapped pool furniture you can also arrange the color of the straps to fit your design. Strapped pool furniture is popular due to its relative durability and comfort. Virgin vinyl straps have memory and do not sag or break for many years. Strap pool furniture is a medium maintenance product, which will require proper cleaning on a regular basis. There is a vast array of specifications and levels of quality and durability in the strapped aluminum furniture industry. Often, strapped furniture is sold as commercial grade with specifications that are well below the accepted standards. Again, pay close attention to the design, bracing, and safety features of strapped aluminum pool furniture, and make sure the warranty is a commercial use warranty.



Commercial grade aluminum sling furniture is becoming increasingly popular for its comfort and stylish look. It incorporates the appearance of cushion furniture but without the cushions, which do not fare well in the typical commercial environment. When selecting your sling furniture you want to make sure you are getting high quality sling fabrics. Sling furniture only looks good as long as the slings are tight. While slings are typically difficult to replace, it can be done. Certain fabrics, typically vinyl coated polyester fabrics with very high thread counts, are most durable. Low grade sling fabrics are not recommended, however most manufacturers insist on very high quality fabrics that are rated for use commercial sling material, Pay special attention to the construction of the frame. The slings are made tight with bolts which should always be stainless steel bolts, preferably ones that go all the way through the sling furniture frame. This "bolt-through process" has solved the problem of aluminum sling furniture frames breaking where the fabric is attached to the frame. Sling furniture is a moderate to high maintenance product, which does require regular, proper cleaning and also requires a higher level of care with the furniture itself.

Picnic Tables for Commercial Use


At Furniture Leisure, not only do we sell picnic tables for commercial use, but we have assembled the best factories to provide our customers with the highest quality and most practical options for outdoor furniture projects. Whether your company needs picnic tables for commercial use, for dining areas, your school needs tables for children activities or your church does a lot of outdoor events, we have the products to fit your needs. The BG picnic tables for commercial use have attractively designed legs formed from strong O.D. galvanized high strength tube. The extra wide base design gives added tip resistance. Cross braces are added to these picnic tables for commercial use, for extra strength.



Characteristics of a Picnic Tables for Commercial Use
Picnic Tables for commercial use, are used extensively in the USA and other countries for many uses besides just parks. Some of the uses include employee dining for businesses, dining for sporting facilities, Fast food establishments, schools, Theme parks, Multi-family communities, highway rest stops and the list goes on. If one just observes these types of establishments, the amount of uses and purchases are astounding. Recently a major manufacturer suggested that the market size is over 100 million annually.
It might be questioned what makes a table commercial versus just a picnic table. No one has actually defined this distinction; however, suppliers of picnic tables would serve to give a definition from the types sold. Generally speaking, all wood tables cross the commercial line. Wood tables are usually built and distributed to local markets. One major benefit of wood tables is they are generally inexpensive. Wood tables are not generally available in large quantities, difficult to ship economically and have the draw-back of an all wood product use outdoors all year.
Picnic tables for commercial use come in some basic mediums. Concrete, Galvanized Frames with wood, aluminum, recycled plastic, fiberglass or plastic coated steel tops and seats are common tables. They may be rectangular, square, round, octagonal or custom sizes to accommodate handicap users. Almost all are shipped unassembled to the end user. Some tables are chosen to meet a strong need such as deterrents to theft, constant public abuse such as graffiti, carving or any vandalism humans seem to create. Often concrete is used as the ultimate indestructible table. However, plastic coated are extremely popular and can be mounted in-ground for a permanent table.
Manufacturers of picnic tables for commercial use are mainly in the USA . Dealers exist that provide catalogs to specifiers and designers. Also, in the past 6 years as the internet has developed, dealers offer e-commerce stores to purchase and receive information about these products.
John Gravlee is the author and maintains two e-commerce stores for outdoor furniture needs.
www.furnitureleisure.com is a resource for information about picnic tables for commercial use.


Picnic Tables
No outdoor area is complete without a picnic table. Picnic tables have been an outdoor staple for generations for many reasons. They are comfortable, convenient, serve many purposes, and are very durable. Picnic tables can be made out of many types of material.
Picnic tables are convenient because they can seat several people. With tables, extra chairs are need when more people are around. Picnic tables are simply benches attached to tables, so seating can vary. In a location where there are lots of children, picnic tables are especially convenient. A large group of children can sit a picnic table and be comfortable, and when they are done, clean up is easy. And, no one has to ask then to push their chairs in.
Picnic tables are very durable because they are always outdoors. Typically made of wood, the materials used to make picnic tables have changed over time to increase their durability. Now you can find picnic tables made out of metal, recycled plastics, and fiberglass. Some picnic tables are constructed as two benched on either side, while more modern picnic tables feature a round table design equipped with an outdoor patio umbrella in the middle for picnicking convenience.
Because picnic tables are always outdoors, they can serve many purposes. Not only do they get used for eating, but they can also be used for doing outdoor projects and crafts. It's much better to spill a little glue or paint on a picnic table than on your indoor kitchen table.

Commercial Park Benches


A commercial park bench is a welcome sight along a walking path or trail. Commercial park benches are just a nice place to rest. Think about the gardens, walking paths, bike paths, park trails and rest stops where these benches are used. Concrete, recycled plastic, resin, wood, plastic coated steel and aluminum materials are all commonly used for a good sturdy bench.


Many benches have black, green or brown frames to blend them in the to background scenery. Like many site amenities people take benches for granted expecting them to show up on the trail for rest and relaxation. I have seen log benches where a tree has been cut in half and creative molds at Disney with Mickey Mouse, or Goofy plastic benches at theme parks. Universal studios and Sea World have their own special benches.


You just can’t beat a good bench! Trail Benches, Park benches, theme park benches, garden benches, street benches, sports benches and church benches are as common as a hotdog on 4th of July!