Quality Check for Garden Dining Furniture— What Importers Need to Know

Furniture Fiasco Story: Restaurant Regrets

As a restaurant owner, you know that the quality of your food and service are key to your success. But have you considered the impact that the quality of your furniture can have on your business? One restaurant owner found out the hard way when he decided to update the furniture in his establishment without properly checking its quality.

The owner ordered many chairs, tables, and bar stools from an online supplier without thoroughly vetting the products beforehand. When the furniture arrived, it appeared to be of good quality, and the owner was excited to set it up in his restaurant. However, it wasn’t long before customers began to complain. Chairs were wobbly, tables were uneven, and the bar stools were uncomfortable.

The owner soon realized he had made a mistake by not taking the time to check the quality of the furniture before purchasing it. He was left with no choice but to replace the furniture at his own expense, and his restaurant’s reputation suffered as a result.

This story illustrates the importance of quality checking when selecting furniture for your restaurant. Poor-quality furniture not only makes for an unpleasant dining experience but also harms your business’s reputation and profitability.

In this article, we will discuss the key factors to consider when quality-checking restaurant outdoor furniture so that you can avoid the costly mistakes made by the restaurant owner in our story.

An Outdoor Restaurant Furniture Quality Checklist

1.Check Materials.

Nobody doubts we should choose aluminium, wrong iron, plastic wood, or synthetic rattan for outdoor restaurants. But how do we verify the materials?

Take aluminium, for example. Here are some helpful tips to determine if a piece of furniture is made of aluminium:

• Look for labels or tags: Most furniture manufacturers will label their products with the material information. Look for labels or tags on the furniture that indicates the use of aluminium.

• Check the weight: Aluminium is a lightweight material, so if the furniture is relatively lightweight, it could be made of aluminium.

• Use a magnet: Magnets do not stick to aluminium, so if a magnet does not stick to the furniture, it is likely made of aluminium.

• Look for texture: Aluminium has a smooth, polished surface that is typically free from roughness or blemishes. If the furniture has a smooth and polished surface, it may be made of aluminium.

• Conduct a spark test: Rub the furniture’s surface with a grinding wheel, and observe the sparks generated. Aluminum produces a white spark, while other metals like steel and iron produce orange sparks.

These methods can help determine if a piece of furniture is made of aluminium. However, if you are still unsure, it is best to consult the manufacturer or a furniture expert for confirmation.

2. Check Construction.

Inspect the construction of the furniture, including joints, screws, and welds. Sturdy construction is extremely important due to the frequent use of restaurant tables and chairs and exposure to weather elements.

Take checking the crafts and quality of restaurant tables and chairs, for example:

• Look for visible gaps: Examine the joints of the furniture and look for any visible gaps between the parts. If there are gaps, it could signify poor quality or shoddy craftsmanship.

• Check for flush surfaces: The furniture surfaces should be flush and even. If there are any raised areas or uneven surfaces, it could indicate poor-quality joinery.

• Wiggle test: Try wiggling the joints of the furniture to check for any looseness. If the joints are loose or wobbly, it could indicate poor-quality joinery or inferior materials.

• Use a flashlight: Shine a flashlight on the joints of the furniture to look for any visible glue or nail holes. Visible glue or nail holes could indicate that the furniture was poorly constructed.

• Weight test: Pick up the furniture and assess the weight. High-quality furniture is typically heavier due to denser materials and better construction methods.

• Ask the manufacturer or seller: Ask the manufacturer or seller about the construction methods and materials used in the furniture. A reputable manufacturer or seller will be transparent about the quality of the furniture.

Using these methods, you can ensure that the tables and chairs in your restaurant are well-constructed, durable, and able to withstand frequent use.

3.Check Ergonomic Comfort.

Sit on the chairs and test your comfort level. Check for ergonomic design elements such as adjustable height and angle settings, lumbar support, and contoured shapes.

It’s important to remember that a product may not feel as ergonomic as stated in its specifications. It is because comfort is subjective and can vary based on the individual using the chair. Additionally, some chairs may not be suitable for certain body types or require adjustment to fit the user properly.

When evaluating the comfort of a chair, it’s important to consider factors such as seat height, seat depth, lumbar support, and adjustability. It’s also helpful to test the chair for an extended period to assess its comfort over a longer period of use.

Finally, if you aren’t satisfied with the comfort, consider replacing them as early as possible.

4.Check Paint or Oil.

To check if the paint or oil is properly applied on the surface of furniture, follow these steps:

• Look for even coverage: Check that the paint or oil has been applied evenly and there are no areas where it is thicker or thinner than the rest. Uneven coverage can indicate that the application was not made properly.

• Check for drips or runs: Look for drips or runs in the paint or oil. These can be a sign that the application was rushed or done incorrectly.

• Test the finish: Run your hand over the furniture’s surface to feel for any rough or bumpy areas. A properly applied finish should be smooth to the touch.

• Inspect for bubbles or peeling: Look for any bubbles or peeling in the finish. It can signify that the paint or oil did not properly adhere to the furniture’s surface.

• Check for discolouration: Look for any discolouration or uneven colouration in the finish. It can be a sign that the artisan did not apply the paint or oil evenly or that they did not properly prepare the wood before applying the finish.

By checking for these signs, you can ensure that the paint or oil is properly applied to the furniture’s surface, which can help prevent premature wear and damage.

5.Look for Certificates in a Manual.

Here are some common quality certificates and eco-friendly certificates that a furniture manual may include:

• ISO 9001: It is a quality management system standard that ensures that the organization has a quality management system to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and regulatory requirements.

• SGS: Formerly Société Générale de Surveillance, it is a Swiss multinational company that provides inspection, verification, testing, and certification services for various industries, including agriculture, minerals, chemicals, furniture, and more.

• FSC: The Forest Stewardship Council is an international organization that promotes responsible management of the world’s forests. Furniture with the FSC certification indicates that the wood used in its production was responsibly sourced.

• GREENGUARD: This certification program focuses on indoor air quality, and products with the GREENGUARD certification have been tested for low emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).

• OEKO-TEX: This certification for textiles and fabrics ensures that the product is free from harmful substances.

• Cradle to Cradle: This certification program evaluates a product’s sustainability across its entire life cycle, from material selection to disposal.

• Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC): This certificate focuses on furniture manufacturing processes and materials sustainability. Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

By including these certificates in their manuals, furniture manufacturers can assure customers that their products meet certain quality and environmental standards.

6.Check Brand Reputation.

One last tip: Check the reputation of the brand or manufacturer before purchasing. Look for brands with a track record of producing quality and durable outdoor furniture, save you all the potential trouble like getting upset about receiving poor quality furniture and wasting time to make a complaint or apply for a return or exchange service.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing a reputable manufacturer for your outdoor restaurant furniture is crucial in ensuring that you provide your customers with a comfortable and enjoyable dining experience.

A good manufacturer will use not only high-quality materials but also have strict quality control measures in place to ensure that their products meet the required standards.

By choosing such a manufacturer, you can save yourself from frequent repairs and replacements, which can be costly in the long run.

At Coets, we understand the importance of providing high-quality outdoor furniture for restaurants. We take pride in using only the best materials and implementing stringent quality control processes to ensure that our products meet the highest standards.

With our vast experience in the furniture manufacturing industry, we have established ourselves as a trustworthy business partner for many businesses in the hospitality industry.

By choosing Coets, you can rest assured that you are getting the best value for your investment and that your customers will be able to dine in comfort and style.