For the sake of this guide, we're going to assume that you're looking to buy folding chairs in bulk, or otherwise for commercial use. So we'll be focusing on several types of folding chairs popular for the special event market and generally used for large gatherings of people. Chairs like these are generally manufactured with strict guidelines for strength and durability and thus suitable for commercial use.
You can find more information on our web, so please take a look.
That said, you're shopping for foldable chairs because you're concerned about space and portability. Folding chairs take up less space when stored, and can be easily moved by hand or with some kind of dolly or cart.
There are a handful of chairs that have become the staples of special event seating - kind of like cars with 4 wheels. Other variations exist, but you'll see the same types of chairs over and over again, in all parts of the country because these chairs have proven to be the best with respect to appearance, portability, strength, and storability.
Folding chairs take up less space when stored, and can be easily moved by hand or with some kind of dolly or cart.
There are five types of folding chairs that make up the vast majority of folding chair sales to event centers and others in commercial applications.
These chairs are by far the favorite with party rental companies, particularly when they are just starting out or if they are doing very large events.
Plastic folding chairs consist of a tubular metal frame with a molded plastic seat and backrest. They fold up to about an inch thick.
The genius of the plastic folding chair design is that when the chairs are folded, they ''nest'' together so you can lay one on top of another, and so on, and then when you have 50 or so in a stack you have a solid stack of chairs that won't slip off of each other.
Another great feature of these chairs is tubing between the rear legs. It's flush with the ground, which keeps the back legs from sinking into a soft surface, like grass.
We've seen these chairs for sale as low as $7 each, and as high as $18 each for chairs made in the USA. Our advice: strongly consider plastic folding chairs , but don't buy the cheapest chairs. Not only is it possible that you'll be buying a chair made from sub-par materials, but you may be buying from a less than reputable company. Call and ask questions, order a sample, check the Better Business Bureau and read online reviews before buying in bulk.
A popular variation of these chairs that you may consider are the fan back plastic folding chairs. The only difference is the backrest, which features a fan design that is larger vertically than traditional plastic folding chairs. For comfort, this is a plus. There is also an integrated carrying handle which can help greatly with setups and teardowns.
In our opinion, wooden folding chairs are a huge step up from plastic folding chairs in terms of appearance. You just cannot beat the natural look and feeling of wood.
Wooden folding chairs can be made from a variety of different woods. We've seen them in oak, birch and beechwood. They generally have a curved plywood backrest, and a framed seat with a removeable vinyl-covered plywood seat.
The removeable seat is a big deal, because it makes cleaning these chairs easier. It's also easy to reupholster the seats or buy replacement seats.
Wooden chairs have a thicker frame, generally between 2-3''. That means that when stacked, they take up about twice the amount of space when compared to plastic folding chairs.
Wooden chairs don't have a built-in nesting mechanism that keep them from sliding off one another. We've seen little plastic pieces that you can screw to each chair to help keep the chairs stacked. Alternatively, we recommend strapping chairs together when stacked so they don't tip over.
One thing to consider about wood folding chairs is that the natural wood is more susceptible to scratches and damage than many other types of chairs. Most of this damage happens when stacking and transporting the chairs, so it is highly recommended to consider folding chair bags. They'll keep the chairs protected and will vastly improve the life of your chairs.
Personally I think these are the best folding chairs we sell. Resin folding chairs were made to look like wooden chairs, with the same frame dimensions and seat design. But unlike wood, resin chairs are molded to improve stackability with a special design under the seat so they nest with the chair underneath.
Resin chairs are molded from polypropylene, for more uniform strength characteristics than wood. Because of this, colors of resin folding chairs are limited, and there is no wood grain available.
Early chairs were subject to yellowing in prolonged exposure to the sun, but that has since become less of a problem as most manufacturers are using UV protectants in the molding process. That said, it is worth checking with your supplier to ensure their chairs are UV protected.
Resin folding chairs are easy to clean and maintain. In most cases, they can be wiped with a damp rag in between events to keep them looking great.
Specifications can vary widely between folding chair manufacturers. Some things to compare among suppliers:
Resin folding chairs are a great choice for event venues, party rental companies, concert venues and convention halls. White resin folding chairs are the perfect wedding chair.
These chairs have been around as long as there were folding chairs in general. Known for their strength, commercial grade metal folding chairs are most commonly found in convention centers, schools, churches, meeting halls and event centers.
In addition to usage versatility, you'll find that there are more combinations of colors and upholstery than many other folding chairs. You can buy metal folding chairs in plain powdercoated steel (painted), several different colors of fabric padded folding chairs, and for easier maintenance, many vinyl padded options.
These chairs are not as commonly used in party rental companies, because even though they fold up, these chairs do not stack one on top of another, like the chairs discussed above. And if you're in the party rental business you know that you like to deliver chairs in stacks to event sites.
Not to fear. There are carts specifically designed for metal folding chairs, that in some cases offer more space savings than simply stacking chairs. Many facilities choose a hanging chair cart, which features two levels of storage racks on on a single frame with wheels for easy transport.
Styles and features vary among manufacturers, so look for a few key features of metal folding chairs for differentiation:
Our buying recommendation:
Buy metal folding chairs if you're looking for a strong, reliable chair and want more options for color, padding and upholstery.
Avoid these chairs if you are buying for a party or tent rental company, as you will be reliant on carts that can be difficult to load on and off trucks.
You'll see these chairs for sale at places like Walmart and Home Depot, usually sold in singles or pairs. However, many companies choose to buy blow mold folding chairs in bulk online for lower pricing and ease of delivery.
The blow molding process (the same manufacturing process used for many plastic folding tables) makes chairs with a thicker, hollow seat and back. This process yields chairs that are larger and just as light. Many of the blow molded chairs I've sat in are also quite comfortable.
The downside of this style of chair is the same as metal folding chairs - you cannot stack these chairs one on top of the other. The same solution exists though, by using a specially designed cart for storage.
Blow mold folding chairs are popular with churches and event centers, particularly when purchased with plastic folding tables, with matching plastic and frames for a cohesive look, with or without tablecloths.
One look at these chairs and instantly tiki parties come to mind, with Mai Tai guzzling guests lounging in Hawaiian shirts. Or maybe that was just me at the last party I attended. Either way, bamboo folding chairs are popular for themed events, or just for extra seating poolside.
You may not think so, but they're surprisingly comfortable. Thoughtfully designed, bamboo chairs have a large curved back and a seat that naturally frames in your hindquarters. Sadly, we haven't seen a model with an integrated drink holder.
Bamboo folding chairs are popular with party rental companies, as they are relatively low-cost but also a higher dollar rental item compared to other types of folding chairs. The downside is that although these chairs do fold up for storage, they don't nest and stack together, making for a more labor-intensive delivery.
The way I look at chairs, it's all about value. People buy folding chairs for their homes, pay money, and in exchange they get easy portable seating for friends and family. Their return is priceless family time and laughter.
Business customers, whether all of them realize it or not, get the same value but in return on their investment. It's either straightforward ROI - like in a party rental situation - where $25 spent on a chair yields $2.50 with each rental. In other words, with 10 rentals you have a 100% return on your investment.
Other types of businesses or organizations, like event venues, convention centers, churches get the same ROI. In their case, they buy so they don't have to rent. So on top of getting a return on investment, the convenience of owning and avoiding deliveries, etc. adds to the overall value.
Check out our blog, for 10 Reasons Why Venues Should Provide Rental Furniture
That said, in order to help you make the best decision we've created this handy return on investment chart. It is by no means a hard and fast set of pricing, but more of a guideline based on wholesale folding chair pricing we've seen on EventStable and elsewhere on the web, as well as an average of rental prices from across the country.
Folding ChairDelivered CostRental RateReturn Rate (# of rentals to return on investment) Plastic Folding Chair $11.99 $1.25 9.59 Resin Folding Chair $24.99 $2.65 9.43 Metal Folding Chair $22.99 $2.99 7.68 Wood Folding Chair $24.99 $3.49 7.16 Bamboo Folding Chair $35.00 $4.25 8.23Hopefully that helps you make an educated decision. Again, you may find the cost of the chairs or the rental rate in your area to be higher or lower. If nothing else, this should serve as a rough guideline as to whether you think you'll make your money back in the first season!
A big part of owning your own folding chairs, whether for rental or not, is keeping them clean in between events and maintaining them to maximize your investment return. After all, folding chairs don't really go out of style, so buying quality and keeping them in great shape is the way to go.
There are all types of ways to clean your folding chairs. You can spot clean with some Simple Green or a damp rag, bust out the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, employ a homemade chair washing machine, or even spend big bucks on a commercial folding chair washer.
We've written quite a bit about how to clean folding chairs on our blog. For some ideas, check out these posts:
http://www.eventstable.com/blog/the-best-effective-non-bleach-cleaners-for-white-folding-chairs/
http://www.eventstable.com/blog/th e-best-way-to-clean-white-resin-folding-chairs/
https://www.eventstable.com/blog/a-great-way-to-wash-folding-chairs/
As for long-term maintenance, it's important to perform routine checks to ensure your chairs are safe and functioning as they were intended. Each year or so, perform an inspection of each chair and look out for:
In addition to safety concerns, you may be missing feet caps or bolt covers on your chairs. After all, you want to keep your stock looking great. Most manufacturers will sell replacement feet caps, bolt covers and any other items that may become separated from your chairs over time. Generally these parts are inexpensive, so buy more than what you need at first so you always have some on hand.
We get it, everyone wants a deal. Especially on a potentially large purchase like bulk folding chairs. That said, please be smart. I warn against buying the cheapest folding chairs for a number of reasons.
The first is more obvious. In order to produce a lower cost item than the rest of the market, manufacturers have to cut corners. This could mean secondhand materials, manufacturing shortcuts, and overall a lesser quality chair.
Lesser quality equates to a shorter lifespan, which of course reduces your return on investment. It also potentially opens you up to liability issues. After all, they say ''buy nice or buy twice'' for a reason.
The second reason to be careful buying cheap folding chairs is that you run the risk of buying from a, we'll say ''less than reputable'' seller. There are, unfortunately, sellers out there looking to make a quick buck with no concern for repeat business or their customer's success.
Even worse, there are many reports of cheapest-chair-sellers never shipping the chairs at all! Our advice: do your research. Investigate the seller. Check the Better Business Bureau and sites that expose rip-offs. A few minutes of research can save you thousands.
Once you've made the decision to buy folding chairs and have settled on the style and quantity, be prepared to accept delivery. Ask your vendor questions:
Once you're confident you know how you'll handle your new delivery of folding chairs, don't forget about what you'll do with the pallets and packaging materials. Chairs come in boxes, and there's a whole lot of cardboard in a shipment of 300 folding chairs.
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Topwell.
In addition to storage considerations, don't forget to ask your vendor for recommendations on how to transport, and on what to store, your new folding chairs. There are generally a few different options for carts and dollies for each type of chair, and your supplier should be able to provide the right solution.
For more help determining the best way to transport folding chairs:
http://www.eventstable.com/How-to-best-transport-folding-chairs_ep_60.html
The best folding chairs come from a supplier offering the best quality chair at a great price, delivering value throughout the whole buying process.
So what are the best folding chairs? Well, the best chairs for rental aren't necessarily the best chairs for the Elks Lodge. That's why we hope you've read this article - you didn't skip down to this part, did you?
We feel that the best folding chairs can be found right here at EventStable.com. We're happy to help answer your questions and supply a great product, with awesome service at a great price.
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Everything You Need to Know for Choosing the Right Folding Chairs
Written by: Marcelo Flores
Are you looking to invest in folding chairs for your business? Whether you’re starting a party rental company, running an event venue, or growing your decor business, folding chairs are a must-have. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know, from types and ROI to maintenance and the best suppliers.
If you’re in this guide, it’s probably because you’re looking to buy folding chairs in bulk, maybe to start your party rental, decor business or event venue. For any of these businesses, folding chairs are an excellent choice, especially if you have a tight budget or space constraints.
They have several advantages over stacking chairs, including:
In short, they’re a fantastic option to help you get started in this exciting industry.
There are different types of folding chairs, so it’s important you understand your needs before purchasing any chair.
Plastic folding chairs are the most basic option on the market and a favorite for party rentals. They’re especially popular with new rental businesses or massive events requiring thousands of chairs.
For beginners, plastic folding chairs are an excellent starting point due to their affordability. They also excel in space utilization, as you can store them in stacks of up to 50 chairs, making transportation easier.
If you’re managing an event venue and need chairs that are lightweight and easy to move, plastic folding chairs are a good choice, but resin folding chairs might be a better choice in terms of looks.
Resin folding chairs are often the next step for party rentals after starting with plastic folding chairs. They are highly durable, affordable, and just as efficient in storage and transport.
The main advantage of resin folding chairs is their rental rate, which is typically three times higher than plastic folding chairs.
You can also find this same design in wood, but honestly it’s a much better idea to choose resin since they look identical, but resin is much more resistant and can be used outdoors.
Wood folding chairs are identical to the resin folding chair but we don’t sell it because it has its disadvantages in durability.
Since they are made from wood, they’re more susceptible to scratches and damage than many other types of chairs. Most of this damage occurs during stacking and transport, even with careful handling.
Also, they’re not the best choice for outdoor use. So, if you’re considering this style, resin folding chairs are a better option because they offer the same look with greater durability.
Metal folding chairs are commonly used in convention centers, churches, and meeting halls. They are available in a wide range of colors, with options for cushions or slatted seats in endless combinations.
Are these chairs for you?
It’s important you understand your clientele and the type of events you’re hosting. As mentioned earlier, this type of chairs are common for conferences and meetings, so if you’re aiming more for special events and weddings they might not be the best choice.
Additionally, they don’t stack as efficiently as plastic or resin folding chairs, which can limit storage and transport efficiency.
Each type of folding chair offers various color options. For party rentals, white plastic folding chairs and white resin folding chairs are go-to options. Here are the most common color choices depending on the style:
For many party rentals, starting with plastic folding chairs and upgrading to resin folding chairs is a common path.
When they do this upgrade they do it thinking to increase the ROI for their events. Plastic folding chairs rent for about $1–$1.50, while resin chairs average $3–$3.50, making them more profitable.
But it’s not the only factor. The complete formula to calculate ROI is:
(Rental Rate x Utilization) – (Maintenance + Repair Costs) ÷ (Acquisition Cost – Residual Value) = rROIC
Which also include the frequency of renting them, maintenance expenses and the residual value.
It’s key you not only select your purchases in terms of what others do, but do a research of what your clientele is doing and them calculate your expected ROI.
This formula might seem difficult, but we made it easy. We’ve prepared a free ROI calculator so you only need to insert a few data and the calculator will do the rest. It includes a video tutorial to make it even easier for you.
You can download the calculator here.
Proper cleaning and maintenance are essential to extend the life of your folding chairs and maximize ROI. After every event, clean the chairs with a damp cloth or products like Simple Green or Magic Eraser to prevent stains.
As for maintenance, it’s key you do routine checks to ensure everything’s ok. It’s much better to do preventive maintenance over corrective actions. Here’s what you have to look at for:
You may be wondering where to buy wholesale folding chairs, and you may want a reliable supplier. Whenever you’re purchasing chairs for your event business it’s important you do a thorough research of the suppliers you’re considering. There are many good suppliers for folding chairs, but it’s important you assess their reputation.
Look for the company’s reviews and look for patterns. If a company consistently has complaints about a particular issue, it’s likely a recurring problem. And otherwise, if a company has good reviews about a topic, they might be true.
Also, consider joining industry-related Facebook groups to ask for recommendations from people who have firsthand experience with these suppliers. There are multiple groups for wedding venue owners or party rentals where you can ask for advice.
Yes, at Seat Co., we offer a universal folding chair cart compatible with plastic, resin, and wood folding chairs. This cart can hold up to 50 plastic folding chairs or 25 wood or resin folding chairs, making transportation and storage much easier.
If you have 200 chairs, for example, you can store them in 4 stacks using 4 carts, allowing for efficient storage and easy mobility.
For metal folding chairs, we offer hanging carts. Depending on the style, these carts can hold between 50 and 84 chairs.
Wether you own a party rental or a wedding venue, you will always need a chair cart.
The best folding chair to start your party rental business depends on your market research. Here’s a video that offers tips for entering the rental industry:
This video includes various market research hacks to start your party rental in the best way.
Most new party rentals start with either plastic folding chairs or resin folding chairs. As your business grows, it’s recommended to offer both styles to cater to a wider range of clients.
Consider your budget, your target market, and the expected ROI when choosing the right chair for your business.
The potential of a folding chair rental business is enormous. Some businesses may underestimate their opportunity for growth, but with the right location and market, the possibilities are immense.
You can start with a small investment and gradually expand your inventory, creating a highly profitable business over time.
If you’re planning to start a party rental business or grow your existing one, the folding chair market offers a world of opportunity. But where should you begin?
Here’s a complete guide to help you take the next steps:
This guide covers:
By following these steps, you can grow your business from $0 to $100,000 and beyond.
Folding chairs are a cornerstone of the event rental industry, offering affordability, versatility, and scalability. Whether you’re just starting your business or expanding an established one, understanding the types, maintenance, and ROI of folding chairs is essential.
By selecting the right products, working with trusted suppliers, and implementing smart strategies, you’ll be well on your way to building a profitable and sustainable business in this exciting industry.
For more Wholesale Folding Chairinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.