Out With the Old, In With the New

Out With The Old, In With The New

When I was young, my family owned a large red wooden picnic table. That poor table moved with us all over the country each time my father was re-stationed at some new military base.

The aged table showed its years long ago with its chipping paint, relentless splinters, and sagging benches.

I spent many summer afternoons using that table for everything from a fort, to a gourmet kitchen, to a ship out at sea.

I still remember how the red paint from that table resembled the red paint on the concrete tables at many of the elementary schools I attended. Often I would rest my cheek against the rough surface of those horribly unattractive gathering spots and let the heat from the sun warm my skin.

These types of tables hold too many fond memories for words. However, I must admit I’m thankful I have more options available to me today in my choice of outdoor eating facilities.

Of course, you can still buy the classic wooden picnic tables or concrete tables, or even steel and aluminum tables if you prefer, but you can also purchase top of the line tables that are truly unmatched on the market.

Thermoplastic-coated steel picnic tables have many advantages over their wood, concrete, and plain metal counterparts. Thermoplastic is a copolymer-based powder coating that is environmentally safe and attractive (as far as picnic tables are concerned). In addition, they can be painted a wide variety of colors to suit your personal taste.

This revolutionary material will never fade, crack, peel, warp, or discolor. Thermoplastic has the best adhesion rate of any other process. This keeps the metal base free of any corrosion possibilities. Thermoplastic is applied at a thickness of 25-30 mils. This allows maximum protection with the best possible surface.

It’s easily repaired and virtually maintenance free. To repair cuts all you have to do is heat the affected area with an industrial heat gun. It will rebound itself. The properties of thermoplastic also make spray painting difficult for vandals. Just simply wash the surface with a standard industrial cleaner. WD40 usually does the trick. For regular cleaning, all you need is a little soap and water.

Unlike wooden tables, there are no splinters to deal with. No fading paint. No sagging benches. Where concrete tables are nearly impossible to move, these commercial tables can come portable, surface mount, or in-ground. And don’t we all have memories of burning the backs of our legs on scorching metal tables that have absorbed the sun’s rays all day? Thermoplastic-coated picnic tables do not conduct heat, even on the most sweltering of days.

Generally, the understructure and legs of thermoplastic-coated picnic tables are black powder coated galvanized steel. This means that they too won’t deteriorate within the life of your table.

Although often fully assembled at delivery, most people find the instructions fairly easy to read and simple to follow. Shipping on these tables is where you need to be careful. Because they are made from 9 to 11 gauge steel and often don’t come KD, the price to get them from the manufacturer to your doorstep can be ridiculous, sometimes even cost prohibitive. Fortunately, many companies offer flat rate shipping or if you’re lucky, free shipping. Just be sure to pay attention to the price difference in your actual purchase, and your total cost after taxes and shipping are added. Sometimes it’s outrageous, and more to the point, it’s insulting to think that we would pay what they have the audacity to ask. Most companies will ship items of this magnitude LTL (Less Than Truckload). If you’re unsure you’re getting the best deal, check out some major shipping companies such as Estes Express Lines, Yellow Freight, or Roadway.

If you find that you like thermoplastic-covered picnic tables, you might want to consider thermoplastics for other commercial site furnishings you’re looking to buy. Park benches, trash cans, ash urns, planters and more are all made from this essentially non-destructible, yet eco-friendly material.

Make your community a brighter, cleaner place – next time, buy plastic.