Ultimate Buying Guide: Everything You Need to Know About Folding Chairs

Whether you’re buying for an office, own a café or restaurant, or are looking to run a large event, an important consideration is adequate comfortable seating. Foldable chairs are reliable, affordable and come in a range of materials and colours, but understanding all your options will help you make the appropriate choice for your customer base. This ultimate buying guide will talk you through everything you need to know, covering the following topics:

• What are the advantages of folding chairs?

What are the Advantages of Folding Chairs?

There are a number of reasons why folding chairs make a worthy investment. Here are some of the key benefits:

Affordability

Folding chairs are cheap and available to buy in bulk, making them a great purchase if you’re looking to accommodate a lot of people in a short space of time.

Durability

The best folding chairs are both affordable and durable. Strong frames and high-quality materials make our fold-up chairs reliable and long-lasting.

User friendly

You don’t require any special equipment to move and place these chairs. Simply unfold them and place them wherever you desire.

Easy to store

Chairs that fold up require far less storage space than other seating options. This means you won’t be left scratching your head once you’re done using them and have no place to put them.

Transportable

Folding chairs’ mobility means you can use them for a range of different purposes and in a variety of places. This applies if you’re looking to quickly move seating around the office or arrange bulk seating for a large event.

Comfort

Modern fold up chairs don’t come without comfort either. Many include padding and extra back support to allow continued use over longer periods

Folding Chair Types

Folding chairs come in a range of shapes, sizes and styles. Browsing the different types available will help you find an option that best meets your requirements.

Metal Folding Chairs

Metal folding chairs have been around for a long time. They are highly durable, great for indoor and outdoor use and promise lasting quality over a long time. The only downside to using metal folding chairs is you sacrifice some of the comfort for longevity, but they are available with padding for a little extra cost. Although metal chairs easily fold up, they are not as easy to stack as other materials such as plastic. If fast transportation is what you’re looking for, you may prefer another option.

In summary:

• Sturdy material is built to last
• Great for indoor or outdoor use
• Can be used a number of times without damage
• Subject to rust if exposed to rain

Plastic Folding Chairs

A favourite amongst party hosts and those running large events, plastic folding chairs are lightweight, stackable and easy to move around. Despite what you might think, their plastic frames make them durable and they’re easy to clean and maintain. If you’re looking to buy cheap folding chairs in bulk for a party or event, plastic folding chairs make a smart choice.

In summary:

• Cheap to buy
• Lightweight so easy to transport
• Easily wiped down to keep clean
• Can be used indoor or outdoor

Wood Folding Chairs

Wooden chairs are a step up when it comes to style but aren’t as efficient when it comes to storage. You can get wooden folding chairs in oak, birch and beechwood, and the natural, elegant look provides an aesthetic bonus your customer base will be happy with. Their thicker frames mean they take up more space when you stack them, but if storage isn’t an issue, wooden folding chairs make a fashionable choice. They’re great for weddings and other formal events and offer excellent durability.

In summary:

• Premium look and feel
• Strong build quality
• Great durability
• Easily wiped down to keep clean

Resin Folding Chairs

Resin folding chairs are designed to look wooden but are more lightweight and easier to stack. They are the material most commonly used for garden furniture and they can be left outdoors as the resin is durable and withstands moisture. Maintenance is easy as scratches don’t show up and they are an easy-clean. The only downside to resin folding chairs is they still take up more space than their plastic counterparts.

Types of Folding Chair Padding

Many folding chairs come with built-in padding, adding an element of comfort to what can otherwise be hard, uncomfortable seating. Generally, they come in one of two forms.

Fabric Seated Folding Chairs

The first is fabric. This type of covering goes big on comfort but may not be suitable for the outdoors given its susceptibility to rain damage.

In summary:

• Very comfortable padding
• Resistant to higher temperatures
• Not resistant to rainfall
• Tricky to clean over time
• Designed for indoors

Vinyl Seated Folding Chairs

The other option on offer is vinyl. This type of padding brings pros and cons when compared to fabric. Vinyl padding can be taken outdoors, but on particularly hot days it will be uncomfortable to sit on. Vinyl is also easier to keep clean simply by wiping it down.

In summary:

• Comfortable padding
• Can be uncomfortable when exposed to heat
• Easy to keep clean
• Can be used outdoors or indoor use only

Folding Chairs Carts

One of most significant benefits of folding chairs is the ability to move them around ‘en masse’. To do that you’ll need a folding chair cart. Even here, there is a decision to make on which one to buy.

Folding Chair Hanging Cart

Hanging vertically and suspended in the air, these are ideal if you are stacking a number of different varieties of chairs that you want to keep organised. With several rows on which to hang chairs, you can dedicate a row to a type or colour of chair.

Folding Chair Stacking Cart

These allow for chairs to be stacked horizontally face down in a pile. The biggest benefit of these is the ease of stacking as they can be simply be placed on top of one another. However, as the stack gets higher it can become more difficult to access the chairs on top.

Folding Chair Standing Cart

These carts stack your chairs in an upright position, allowing for simple stacking side-by-side. Unlike the stacking chairs cart, chairs that are stacked in this way are all positioned at the same height. This makes for easy access to the chairs when you wish to take them from the cart.

Folding Chair Weight Capacity

It’s important to consider the weight capacity of folding chairs before you make your purchase with some having a maximum capacity of around 115 kilograms. Evaluate the customer base you need to accommodate and take this into consideration before choosing the capacity of your folding chair.

Where to Buy the Best Folding Chairs

Finding the best, most reliable folding chairs is important. You want to make sure your chairs are of good quality to avoid replacing them sooner than you expected. At Furniture at Work, our foldable chairs offer the perfect balance between quality and affordability. We have a huge range available, including options for offices, classrooms, café and restaurants and more. Our pack sizes range from just singular chairs all the way up to 168, allowing you to precisely meet your individual requirements. If you would like more information on the folding chairs we have available here at Furniture At Work, you can contact us here.

Folding Chair Storage and Transportation

Folding chairs are hugely beneficial because you can save space in storage and it’s easy to transport them in bulk. So, when you’re purchasing a high number of foldable chairs, it’s important to consider where you’re going to store them and how you’re going to move them around. At Furniture at Work, we have an efficient answer to both.

Here are a few of the options we have available:

Upright Chair Transport Trolley

Transport Dolly for Folding Chairs

High Hanging Chair Transport Trolleys

This allows you to choose a transportation trolley that meets your requirements when it comes to spacing. If you are yet to order your foldable chairs, we have bundles available that include bulk chairs and a trolley.

Cleaning and Maintenance

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your folding chairs is a smart way of maximising the return on investment, particularly if you’ve bought in bulk. Folding chairs are practical and won’t go out of style, so the longer you can go without replacing them the better.

When it comes to cleaning, a simple clean with a damp cloth after use is a cost-effective strategy. If you don’t mind spending a little more, you can invest in a foldable chair washer.

While going about your clean, carrying out these routine checks will ensure your foldable chairs remain safe and functioning. Keep an eye out for:

• Cracks
• Broken Welds
• Broken Brackets
• Loose/Missing Screws
• Broken Rivets

Making the right decision when purchasing foldable chairs can make a big difference when it comes to the return on your investment. With the information provided in our guide on the different options available, along with storage and maintenance advice, you can find foldable chairs that best meet your requirement.