If you manage a building or event space, you need a variety of portable table. This is particularly important if your building has multiple-use areas that are subject to frequent layout changes.
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Know the difference between portable tables!
Understanding a key distinction is crucial before you rush out and purchase a new set of portable tables.
This distinction can be summarized as follows…
Do you need tables that can be moved around your building, or do you require tables that can be moved around from building to building?
Answer this question to determine the type of portable table you need. Portable tables are divided into three categories.
- Tables are designed to be moved easily from one room to another within a building.
- Tables are designed to be moved easily from one location to another. For example, they can quickly be loaded into a car’s back and transported to another building.
While it is possible to find tables that are capable of both, portable tables typically fall into one category more than another. We should now take a gander at the main elements and qualities you should look for in a mobile table.
What to pay special attention to while buying a versatile table
You can find hundreds, if not thousands, of tables online. You may even end up with what psychologists call ‘the tyranny’ of choice. You can overcome this problem if you understand what the best portable tables are made up of.
What’s this? Below, we’ve listed all of those features and qualities.
Weight
You’ll want to check the weight first.
On the off chance that it’s excessively weighty, it will not be genuinely compact. It could be excessively light to help support the heaviness of different pamphlets, a PC, etc.
The weight of a table will be determined in part by the distinction we made earlier. Suppose a table was designed to be easily portable from one building to another. It is likely lighter than a similar table designed for easy portability inside a single building.
Let’s look at some more practical examples.
The classic Gopak Contour Folding Table was designed to be easily transported from one location to another. It would be a great choice for a company that sets up displays or stands at events all over the country.
The City Folding Conference Table is at the opposite end of the spectrum. This flip-top table has a sturdy tubular metal frame, thick MFC tables, and castor wheels. This table is lightweight and can be moved from one room to another within a building. However, at 23.5-30 kg, depending on the table size selected, it will be something other than what you want to move around frequently.
Weight depends on the context, but you should factor it into buying a table. Otherwise, you may end up with one that doesn’t suit your needs.
Strength
Strength is closely related to the point above. We’re talking about ‘weight bearing capacity,’ sometimes called ‘load bearing capacity.’You don’t need to be a genius to see that the consequences could be dire if you choose a table that is not strong enough.
Consider how you will use the table to determine its weight capacity. Suppose you plan to attend exhibitions where you load the table with heavy brochures or products. In that case, you will need a portable table that is quite substantial.
the fold
Most portable tables can be folded to some extent (they must, to make transporting and storing easier).
It would help if you verified how your table will fold. You’ll usually find that portable table folds in two different ways.
- When folded, the legs have hinges that lock, and they swing under the tabletop.
- These portable tables are usually bi-fold, with a hinge in the middle. When the table is folded, the top is split in half.
Other folding tables are available in various styles but are more of an exception than a rule.
What type of car is best for you?
If you plan to move your table frequently or put it in the trunk of your car, a bifold option, such as the Lightweight Centre Folding Table, will be the best choice. Standard folding leg tables, such as the 4ft Lightweight Rectangular Folding Table, will do just fine if you don’t care about fitting your table in the back of the vehicle.
Castor wheels
This only applies to tables that will be moved from one room to another within a building.
Selecting a table with built-in castor wheels will make your life much easier. You don’t just want any table. It would help if you chose a table with robust and lockable castors. The locking mechanism should be operated by the feet to save you from having to bend down.
Kite Folding Tables, for example, feature ‘all terrain’ castor wheels, which allow them to be moved more efficiently regardless of the floor’s surface (whether carpeted or floorboards). Kite’s castors also feature rotation locking, almost as rigid as traditional fixed-leg tables once locked.
Table-top edging
This consideration is more relevant to tables that move from one location to another, but it is still essential.
Imagine the scene. You regularly remove your portable tables from storage, carry them to a vehicle, transport them to an event, and set them up. Your table edges will inevitably be knocked against surfaces (potentially abrasive).
If your table doesn’t have a robust edge on the top, its life is likely to be shortened. When you examine the best portable tables, you will see that they are usually equipped with a sturdy metal edge and corner moldings. These features offer solid impact protection if the table is dropped on a surface or knocked.
While the tabletop edge is less crucial for tables that are only moved occasionally within a building, you should still be concerned with the quality of the top. If you select a table with an MFC top, the finish should extend to the edges (and not just the top). Unfinished chipboard edges are not only unsightly but also a safety hazard.
Finish
When choosing a portable dining table, looking at the types and qualities of finishes is essential. Be aware that your table will be subjected to bumps, scratches, and knocks in various environments. Look for tables with scratch-resistant finishes. The metal legs and frames are powder-coated, and the tabletop is covered with melamine. Plastic tabletops are good friends! Polypropylene is increasingly being used to make portable tables. This material is durable, lightweight, and inexpensive.
A table with a high-quality finish will last longer and retain its appearance better. Colours are important, too! Portable tables come in many colors, so you can choose tables that complement your interior design.
Dimensions of the tabletop
Use tabletop models with the right size and shape tabletops to suit your tabletops if you want your portable tables to be used as much as possible. It’s essential to consider this if you plan to buy portable tables to move from one place to another regularly. Will you be transporting the tables in a vehicle? You’ll choose rectangular tables over circular ones. This is less important for tables only used in a single location. Be careful to choose tables with only a few dimensions so they cannot be rolled down corridors and through doorways.
