Patio, rooftop and sidewalk seating takes more punishment than anything indoors: sun, rain, salt air, temperature swings and staff stacking chairs every night. Furniture that works in a dining room can fade, rust or swell outside within a season. This guide compares the main outdoor materials, explains what to look for in outdoor table tops and bases, and gives examples from our in-stock outdoor collection.
Outdoor chair materials compared
| Material | Strengths | Things to know | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminum | Lightweight, does not rust, most models stack | Powder-coated finishes; many use slats or woven seats for comfort and drainage | Rooftops, hotel terraces, waterfront dining |
| Poly-molded (polypropylene) | UV-resistant for year-round outdoor use, wipes clean, stacks, wide color range | One-piece molded shapes; lightest option to move and store | Beer gardens, food halls, beach bars, sidewalk cafés |
| Powder-coated steel | Heavier and very sturdy, stays put in wind | Choose models marked Indoor/Outdoor; heavier to stack and move | Busy patios, courtyards, breezy locations |
Whatever the material, choose chairs and stools marked Indoor/Outdoor. Our wood frame seating is for indoor, conditioned spaces only.
Aluminum chairs and stools
Aluminum is the most common choice for upscale outdoor dining because it does not rust and is easy to move. Finishes and seat styles vary:
- Faux wood slats: the Shoreline Side Chair is all aluminum, including “faux wood” aluminum slats, so there is no timber to rot or swell. The Sandbar Side Chair and Keel Side Chair pair an aluminum frame with synthetic wood slats.
- Woven seats: the Mist Side Chair has a woven textilene fabric seat and back on an aluminum frame with a faux “wood grain” powder coat. Faux wicker chairs such as the Seabrook Side Chair give a bistro look without natural rattan.
- Bar height: matching outdoor bar stools, such as the Shoreline Bar Stool and Keel Bar Stool, carry the same look to rails and high-tops.
Poly-molded chairs
Poly-molded chairs are made from polypropylene in a single molded shell. They are UV-resistant for year-round outdoor use, stack for storage and can be hosed or wiped down after service. Color is a strength: the Isle Side Chair comes in eight colors, and newer designs like the Jetty Side Chair and Skiff Side Chair add slatted backs in tones such as Black, Urban Grey, Mustard and Olive.
Steel chairs
Powder-coated steel is heavier than aluminum, which helps on windy rooftops and busy sidewalks where light chairs get pushed around. The Horizon Side Chair has a welded steel frame with a powder-coated finish and is rated for indoor and outdoor use. The Coral Side Chair uses a perforated metal seat and back that lets rain drain through.
Outdoor table tops
Only some top materials belong outside. Our quartz, granite, sintered stone, HPL and aluminum-frame tops are rated for indoor and outdoor use; standard laminate, butcher block and live edge tops are indoor only.
- Aluminum-frame tops are the lightest: the Pacifica Slatted Aluminum Table Top has synthetic wood slats, the Lido Faux Wood Aluminum Table Top a “faux wood” aluminum top, and the Marina Aluminum Frame HPL Table Top an HPL top in an aluminum frame.
- HPL tops like the Terrace HPL Table Top are dense, wipeable laminate made for outdoor use.
- Stone tops such as the Glacier Quartz Table Top and Pinnacle Granite Table Top are heavy, which adds stability in wind but makes them harder to move.
Aluminum-frame and HPL tops ship in 1–2 weeks from order and payment; quartz, granite and sintered stone in 2–3 weeks. See all outdoor table tops and our table top materials guide.
Outdoor table bases
Use bases that are specially treated for outdoor use, such as the Meridian Steel Table Base (Indoor/Outdoor) or Crown Cast Iron Table Base (Indoor/Outdoor). Adjustable glides help on uneven patio pavers. Outdoors, and especially at bar height, a wider base spread helps keep tables steady when guests lean on them; our table base sizing guide shows which base fits each top. Browse outdoor table bases.
Care, storage and wind
- Clean regularly: rinse off salt, pollen and food with mild soap and water; salt air near the coast calls for more frequent rinsing.
- Stack and store: stackable chairs make it easy to clear a patio at night or bring seating in during the off-season.
- Plan for wind: on rooftops and open patios, heavier steel chairs and stone tops stay put better than light aluminum and poly pieces.
- Keep indoor pieces inside: wood frames and standard laminate or wood tops are not made for weather.
Ordering
All seating is tested to 400 lbs, built to meet ANSI/BIFMA standards and ships fully assembled. Most seating has a 4-piece minimum per item, with volume pricing built in. In-stock outdoor chairs and stools typically ship in 2–3 days from order and payment, anywhere in the U.S. and Canada.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for outdoor restaurant chairs?
It depends on the site. Aluminum is light and does not rust, poly-molded chairs are UV-resistant and easy to clean, and powder-coated steel is heavier and stays put in wind. Choose chairs marked Indoor/Outdoor.
Can poly-molded chairs stay outside year-round?
Yes. Our poly-molded chairs are UV-resistant and suited for year-round outdoor use, and they stack for storage.
Which table tops can go outdoors?
Quartz, granite, sintered stone, HPL and aluminum-frame tops are rated for indoor and outdoor use. Standard laminate, butcher block and live edge tops are indoor only.
Do I need special table bases outdoors?
Yes. Use bases specially treated for outdoor use, and consider a wider base spread for bar-height and windy locations.
Can wood restaurant chairs be used on a patio?
No. Our wood frame chairs and stools are for indoor, conditioned spaces only.
Shop outdoor chairs, stools, tops and bases, or contact us for a volume quote on 100+ pieces of seating or 50+ tops.