New types of coatings and designs for metal picnic tables have resulted in several advantages over traditional picnic tables

Spring is around the corner and it's time to prepare the picnic tables. But as a facility manager, do you really want to spend all your time repairing and refinishing tables? And doing it over again next year? And the year after that?

Consider metal picnic tables. Technological advances in manufacturing have produced tremendous improvements in the durability, appeal-ability and versatility of picnic tables today.

For years, traditional wooden picnic tables were the defacto standard. They were as standard as the apple pie and hot dogs that were placed on them.

But wooden picnic tables, for as charming as they are, do have some issues.

Wood is not the best material for fighting the elements. We're not just talking about rain and snow either.

Metal picnic tables feature coatings designed to last

Picnic table ruined by the elements

The sun's UV rays have the ability to wear down the structure of wood. Ultraviolet rays and wood are a tough mix. As many people know who have experienced a sunburn on a cloudy day, you don't even need direct sunlight to experience harmful UV rays. They are just about always present.

What occurs is that the radiation from UV rays wreak havoc on the wood's cellular lignin. This is a part of cell walls in wood that keeps the material together.

This destructive process is known as photo-oxidation and is responsible for creating micro-cracks in the wooden surface. That oxidation is also responsible for fading and discoloration.

In addition, these micro-cracks can be further damaged by fluids, especially if they freeze and then thaw. Another problem with wood is that if there are cracks in the surface, this is a place where fungi can grow, further damaging the wood.

Now, wood can be treated to prevent or deter harmful UV rays. There are finishes or treated lumber processes out there that will do an excellent job of preserving the wood.

Many park and landscape managers still prefer wooden picnic tables because they do have a certain way of aesthetically blending into outdoor environments. Especially if there are trees on the landscape.

But if you are looking for an alternative - take a look at metal picnic tables.

Some of the high-end tables produced today are a far cry from the old, rusty, broken down tables you might have seen in the past.

Here are five reasons why you should consider a metal picnic table as an alternative to traditional picnic tables:

Metal picnic tables with expanded or perforated surfaces are perfect for keeping maintenance easy and preventing graffiti

1. Rust - With powder coating, a hardy dry chemical powder is electrostatically attached to the metal so it adheres better and prevents rust or corrosion. That surface is then coated with another finish to keep it's shine and add more durability. A thermoplastic coating is applied by electrostatic spray, heating spray or immersed in a hopper filled with the melted powder. A thermoplastic coating is a thicker coating for metal picnic tables as the heavier plastic coating cools and adheres to the metal. This hardier type of coating is excellent for maintenance crews because it is super easy to clean, usually with just soap and water.

(Note: The Park and Facilities Catalog has powder-coated and thermoplastic coated picnic tables, and also offers a proprietary SealGuard finish that is an advanced form of a thermoplastic finish. It is one of the most durable finishes for steel outdoor furniture on the market today).

2. Durability - These heavy-duty coatings are specifically made to fight the harmful effects of UV rays and sunlight. The coatings, depending on the type, will not fade for many years and will not degrade from sunlight like a wood surface.

Same goes with weather. Rain and snow are repelled from the surface, so they can't get under the coating to harm the base material. There is no cracking, splintering or peeling.

Expanded metal surfaces prevent vandalism

3. Vandalism - Kids will be kids. Kids with a pocket knife can do quite a bit of damage to a wood picnic table. Sure, it might be romantic for Johnny to carve his girlfriend's initials into the top of a wooden picnic table to show his affection.

But that's doesn't mean a thing to a family who comes by the next day and wants to enjoy an outing without looking at silly love notes. There's the other darker side of vandalism as well where miscreants will carve curse words or highly offensive words into a table.

In that case, the picnic table must be immediately removed from the grounds. There are numerous instances where this has occurred and facility managers had to scramble to rectify the situation.

Then there's spray paint, another favorite tool of vandals. Thermoplastic coatings, especially the heavy-duty SealGuard finish, are great deterrents against graffiti. In most cases, the paint can quickly be removed with a simple industrial cleaner.

But a certain type of picnic table has an even better advantage over other types of picnic tables. Those are picnic tables made with expanded or perforated metal. In this case, there isn't a complete surface to spray paint on. The expanded or perforated surface is half air, so the paint goes right through the holes.

Spraying paint on an expanded or perforated metal picnic table will only be a lesson in futility for a vandal. They will quickly become frustrated and go somewhere else.

Metal picnic tables can be ordered in an array of vibrant colors that will retain their bright luster for years

4.  Maintenance - As one can see, easy maintenance is another welcome attribute of metal picnic tables. There is no sanding, painting or refinishing required. Spills can be easily cleaned up. In fact, on an expanded or perforated metal picnic table, there are no spills.

Fungus, mildew or mold won't grow on these tables. Simply wiping them down and clearing off any dirt or dust will immediately restore the gleam.

5. Colors - Finally, there's the issue of appearance. With the coating technology that is available today, there is a tremendous range of colors that are available to park and facility managers.

Unlike wooden picnic tables, metal picnic tables can be purchased in vibrant colors such as blue, green, black, red, brown, burgundy and tan.

Facility managers can choose those colors to match their logos. School colors. Company colors. Team colors. You name it.

Custom colors can also be requested. Logos can be added as well.

For landscape designers, this array of colors has tremendous potential to really add pop to any environment. Choose a color that matches the surroundings, such as a Hunter Green. Or perhaps, a designer wants to do just the opposite and add a splash of color to an outdoor area with light blue or red. These lively colors are perfect to brighten outdoor dining areas.

And with the right coatings, those colors will retain their original vibrancy for years. (For example, the SealGuard coating comes with a 5-year warranty).

"Many of my customers are seeing the advantages of these super-durable metal picnic tables," said Dave Kennis with The Park and Facilities Catalog. "This product has shown over the years that it is a great choice for places where the weather is harsh or people are looking for a product they can easily clean and maintain."

It's that time of year when spring and summer are just around the corner. Preparing picnic tables no longer needs to be a maintenance chore or hassle. Keep in mind the latest innovations in metal picnic tables as a solution to the challenges that facility managers face every year.