Picnic Table

Picnic table as its very name indicates is normally used for the purpose of eating a meal while picnicking outdoors. Apart from being used for dining, picnic tables can be used for food preparation. Other versatile uses of picnic tables are for impromptu games with friends and kids, for writing notes and letters, surfing on the laptop and a host of such outdoor adventures.

Picnic tables are even called as ‘barbecue tables' as they are great for barbecues. Look for tips to choose a picnic table and various options available; from recycled ones to foldable picnic tables. Find out how you can store a picnic table.

Picnic tables - shapes, styles and sizes

Picnic tables come in elegant, contemporary or rustic styles. You can choose square, round, rectangular, hexagonal and octagonal tables; with attached or detached benches. They could be traditionally legged, cross legged with backed and backless benches. They could come with chairs, extra wide, folding and specially designed for kids or handicap accessible.

As for the size of the tables, they can be custom made according to requirements. For instance if one requires a 6 feet long table instead of a 8 feet one then the seats will need to be cut. The end braces that are diagonal from beneath the middle of the table have to be shortened to match the buyer's expectation on the size.

Choosing picnic table

Picnic tables come in a variety of materials. Picnic tables need to be durable to stay outdoors and hence they often are used for many other purposes. Traditionally a picnic table was made of wood but nowadays you can choose from ecologically friendly recycled plastic to thermoplastic coated metal to concrete or aluminum.

Wooden picnic tables: Wooden picnic tables provide the classic look of a traditional picnic table combining quality and durability of welded metal frame construction for years of service. Picnic tables come made of an outstanding assortment of wood - cedar, pine, redwood, cherry, teak and oak. Wooden picnic tables are durable and the beautiful wood withstands harsh weather conditions with minimal maintenance requirements. Wooden picnic tables can be cleaned with a damp cloth.

Wood like cedar has natural properties that make it resistant to rot and decay and the harsh elements. Wooden picnic tables will not sag or bow, crack or chip. Wooden picnic tables come in standard rectangular and round shapes and these finely featured tables provide ample elbow room for the whole family. Most of these tables come with movable benches.

It is remarkable to note the natural unfinished state with richly textured tactile grain combined with glowing palette of warm mellow tones ranging from light amber to deep honey brown. Manmade materials can certainly not match the depth of wood's natural luster. The red cedar tables remain popular because of the subtly aromatic fragrance of red cedar. Wooden picnic tables require no finishing as wood ages naturally. Often kids' picnic tables are made of treated pine.

Aluminum picnic table: Most aluminum tables are made from anodized aluminum planks with hot dipped galvanized frames. The aluminum picnic tables are highly durable as they come designed for heavy duty and years of service. Aluminum picnic tables come with a variety of table top finishes - silver anodized, walnut, royal blue, verde green, desert tan, emerald green, marigold yellow, sunset orange, bright red and salt and pepper. The folding model is most often preferred as it is easily transported and stored.

Recycled plastic picnic tables: Picnic tables made of recycled plastic are heavy duty ones and hold up under the most demanding conditions. They are environment friendly being made of recycled materials. Picnic tables also come designed with 100% recycled plastic seats and topped with heavy duty steel frames. These are sturdy, economically and environmentally functional. Each of these tables includes additional supports for the seats and reinforced recycled plastic planking.

These tables can be maintained year after year without any paint or stain. The advantage of recycled plastic picnic table is that they will not split, splinter, rot, rust and decay like wooden, steel or concrete tables. Virtually maintenance free, these tables provide years of lasting service.

They are backed by a fifty year warranty which means one does not have to worry about them at all. Recycled plastic picnic tables come in a wide range of shapes, sizes and colors that could fit any setting. Their popular designs allow for effortless slide in seating and easy mobility for lawn mowing and placement.

Metal picnic tables: Metal picnic tables with durable PVC plastic coatings are most popular and durable picnic tables. These plastisol-coated picnic tables provide the strength and durability of metal with the highest quality UV and weather-resistant plastic coatings.

Picnic tables in vinyl: Constructed maintenance free, these tables never break, chip, warp, bend, peel or rust, even if left outdoors in the harshest weather. They are zero maintenance picnic tables. Vinyl picnic tables are a stylish addition to a porch, deck, patio, gazebo or backyard.

Foldable picnic table: This is a fine alternative to the expensive heavy metal or wooden picnic tables. Foldable picnic tables are lightweight and feature superior strength and durability. They normally come with a ten-year manufacturer warranty and sometimes even lifetime guarantee. Foldable picnic tables feature a folding mechanism that has a double push button lock which can be securely locked in the upright position. Fasteners are made of stainless steel.

Foldable picnic tables are stain resistant and easy to clean. All surfaces are weather and wear resistant. Foldable picnic tables are ideal for indoor and outdoor activities, crafts, banquets, games, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New year feasts, camping, boating, fishing, sporting events and recreational activities. Foldable picnic tables are available in silver anodized or powder coated paint finishes.

Choosing picnic table

• Picnic tables should be functional and elegant at the same time.
  
  
• Picnic tables should be easily portable or movable. This becomes important when someone wants to mow around the table or simply relocate it to a different part of the backyard.
  
  
• Picnic tables that are light in weight but dimensionally stable, flat and straight should be chosen.
  
  
• A wood like cedar may be chosen as its distinct cell structure discourages moisture to rot. Also one must be careful to choose a wood that will remain cool even on the hottest of days. Woods that have an insulation value and higher thermal coefficient are ideal for outdoor picnic tables.
  
  
• The visual harmony that the picnic table should have with the landscape and other outdoor sights need be borne in mind while choosing a picnic table.
  
  
• Recycled plastic picnic tables are awfully durable and come in great styles. They also fit one's bill perfectly as they are economically priced in comparison to tables made of wood or metal.
  

Picnic tables storage and placement

One of the best places to store picnic table is probably the backyard. With a picnic table in the backyard one can enjoy a picnic every night with family and friends at home. The foldable picnic table is very often preferred because this folds up easily into a small protective carrying case and remains in top condition during storage. Some of the potential locations where picnic table are found:

• In the backyard of any house
  
  
• Parks in city or town
  
  
• In fast food restaurants
  
  
• In stores
  
  
• In country parks among trees and mountains
  
  
• In a business or smoking area near the back door.
  

Picnic tables are also ideally suited for schools, universities, municipal parks, commercial centers, multi family complex owners, stadiums, arenas, office parks, churches, convention centers, restaurants and any where high quality coordinated product mix of picnic table, benches and planters are required.