Folding Chairs: A Buyer’s Guide
Flexibility is the key to success in today’s fast-paced world, and no chair is more flexible than the folding chair. Folding chairs are lightweight, cost-effective, and can be set up and put away at a moment’s notice. A surprise client visit? No problem. Extra dinner guests? No problem. Cramped bleachers at a ball game? No problem. Folding chairs come in all sorts of shapes and styles to suit every occasion, from offices to wedding receptions to outdoor barbeques.
But how do you know which kinds of folding chairs are right for you?
Take our Folding Chair Quick Quiz!
1) Where will you use your folding chairs?
a. Inside
b. Outside
c. Maybe both
2) How long will you or your guests spend sitting in your folding chairs?
a. A little while – we’d be up and down.
b. An hour or two at a time
c. All day
3) Choose the feature you would most value in your folding chairs:
a. Toughness. I want them to be able to survive wrestling matches.
b. Versatility. My folding chairs should work well in any space.
c. Professionalism. My seating needs to be all business.
d. Style. I want my chairs to turn heads.
Answer Key:
1. Where will you use your folding chairs? If you answered B or C, you’re going to need a folding chair that can handle the elements. Outside folding chairs may be subject to harsher conditions—sunshine, sudden rainstorms, extreme heat and cold, etc. Plastic or metal folding chairs are your best bet.
Premium Black Plastic Folding Chair by Office Furniture in a Flash
Keep in mind that while metal folding chairs are generally tougher than plastic folding chairs, plastic folding chairs will usually be lighter and won’t get so hot in the sunshine.
If you answered A, anything goes!
2. How long will you or your guests spend sitting in your folding chairs? If you picked A, most kinds of folding chairs will work for you. Comfort is important, but a nicely contoured seat and a supportive back will carry you through.
If you answered B, you’ll want to look for folding chairs with soft, flexible seats and backs, and consider purchasing a folding chair with padding. The longer you sit, the more stress is placed on your body – if you’ve ever started squirming in an uncomfortable theater seat toward the end of a movie, you’ve experienced this firsthand.
Padding is a must for anyone who answers C. Hard seats can turn a fun event into an endurance trial. Keep things comfortable by choosing folding chairs with generously padded seats and back panels. If your chairs need padding but you don’t want to sacrifice toughness, choose a metal folding chair with added seat and back padding.
Resilient 2900 Series Folding Chair
3. A – Tough folding chairs are at home in the outdoors, around rambunctious kids, food events, and at sporting events. Look for metal folding chairs. If you choose metal chairs with padding, consider moisture-resistant vinyl upholstery or stain-resistant fabric upholstery.
B – Plastic folding chairs straddle the line between strength and style. Because plastic is so easily manipulated, chairs made from this material will be available in a wide variety of shapes and colors that can work just about anywhere.
C – To achieve a professional look, worry less about the material and more about the overall look of your folding chairs. Stick with clean, clear lines and upholstery in classic colors. A group of folding chairs with frames, seats, and backs in one matching color make a subtle statement.
D – Formal situations call for stylish seating. Wood folding chairs offer the most formal look and feel. Padding upholstered in bold fabrics or leathers further elevates your chair’s appearance. A folding chair with a slim ‘shell’ (seat and back piece) and legs gives your chairs a delicate, upscale look. Choose chairs with creative patterns and curves to add visual interest.
Padded Natural Folding Chair by Lask Seating
