Discover the Strength and Longevity of Aluminum Chiavari Chairs
Written by: Marcelo Flores
A question that many party rentals have is if aluminum chairs are durable. The answer for this question is not that easy, because there are two types of aluminum Chiavari chairs, cheap ones and high-end ones.
There’s the myth that aluminum chairs are weak, but that’s for low-quality ones. A good quality aluminum Chiavari chair will last you for decades, but they are more expensive.
Table of contents
1. How to Determine if It’s Good or Bad Quality?
Price
The first thing you must consider is price. Since aluminum is an expensive material, a good-quality aluminum chiavari chair won’t be cheap. This doesn’t mean that you should choose the most expensive ones, but it’s impossible to find good-quality ones for less than $65.
There are aluminum chairs costing $30-$40 but that’s impossible. Only the material costs that (if it’s true aluminum).
Weight
Aluminum is an extremely light material. So, if you want to know if an aluminum chair is really made from aluminum, lift it. If you are extremely surprised by its lightness, then it’s likely aluminum; if not, it might not be.
Aluminum Chiavari chairs must weigh between 5 to 6 lbs. These aluminum chairs often weigh more than 8 lbs, which is very close to the weight of wood ones.
2. How are Cheap Aluminum Chairs Bad Quality?
There are cheap aluminum chiavari chairs that end up breaking after only months of use, but how are they bad quality?
Alloys
Unlike other materials, aluminum is never used in its pure state but is combined with other metals to improve its natural characteristics. These combinations are called alloys, and therefore, there are countless possibilities. Each alloy has different properties, such as corrosion resistance, malleability, tensile strength, weldability, etc.
Another variable, in addition to the alloy, is the heat treatment or tempering, which improves strength, durability, and ductility.
We use the same aluminum that is used for ladders, and as you may know, this type of aluminum is known for its lightness as well as its strength. Just like ladders, chairs need to be light but strong.
Construction
Another factor is the construction. A very cheap aluminum chair could seem to be good quality at first, but if you look closely you’ll see that the joints are very weak. The weak part of a metal chair will always be the joints, so be careful of this when purchasing metal chairs.
Good quality chiavari chairs weld the entire ring of the chair, while a poor quality chair will only have welding spots. Here’s an image.
A good welding is not easy nor cheap. It requires skill and more time, which results in a more expensive process.
Paint
The quality of the paint is another key factor that influences both the price and the quality of a chair. Unfortunately, poor paint quality is not immediately perceptible. You won’t notice this until problems arise and you will wish you had prevented it.
To make sure you’re purchasing good quality paint, ensure you’re purchasing from a reliable supplier. Read their reviews and ask for recommendations to industry colleagues.
In addition to that, all our chairs go through a 7-step pretreatment in which they are immersed in chemicals to improve the adherence of the paint. This process is costly and time-consuming, but it’s completely worth it. Here’s a video demonstration of the results:
3. Are Aluminum Chiavari Chairs Worth It?
Good-quality aluminum chairs are indeed worth their price. They are perfect for outdoor use, need little to no maintenance, are extremely lightweight and will last for many years looking like the first day.
Now, if you’re thinking of purchasing cheap aluminum chairs, it’s better for you to go with other options. There are other, more affordable, materials like steel, resin or even wood, that will be more durable.
While good-quality aluminum Chiavari chairs offer longevity, minimal maintenance, and suitability for outdoor use, they come at a higher cost. Conversely, lower-priced aluminum chairs might not provide the durability or aesthetic appeal you need for lasting value.
Finally, here’s a comparative between all the different materials for Chiavari chairs so you can make a smart decision for your investments.
