Material Comparison
The material of a table base sets its mass, its outdoor life, its freight cost and the character of the room, all at once. This comparison places six materials side by side under real hospitality conditions.
At a glance
| Material | Weight | Outdoor | Impact resistance | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cast iron | Very high | Suitable if coated | High (brittle) | Medium |
| Carbon steel | High | Limited | Very high | Low–medium |
| Stainless steel | High | Excellent | Very high | High |
| Aluminium | Low | Excellent | Medium | Medium–high |
| Solid wood | Medium | Not suitable | Medium | Medium–high |
| Composite | Low–medium | Suitable | Medium | Low |
Cast iron
The first choice wherever mass is required. Its weight prevents tipping even under light tops, and it carries strong visual character in classic and industrial concepts. Its weakness is brittleness: under a hard knock it can crack rather than bend. See the cast iron range.
Carbon steel (powder-coated)
The best price-to-performance balance. Section, profile and welding freedom let it take almost any form, and it can be coated in any RAL colour. Outdoors it is vulnerable to corrosion under the coating, so it is not the first choice for terraces in humid coastal locations. See the metal range.
Stainless steel
The right answer for coastal sites, open terraces and high-hygiene areas near the kitchen. It costs noticeably more than carbon steel but needs no coating maintenance. A brushed surface hides fingerprints; a mirror polish shows every mark.
Aluminium
Its lightness cuts both ways: handling and freight get cheaper, but extra ballast is needed against tipping. It resists corrosion well, which makes it a good fit for yachts, seafront venues and sheltered terraces.
Solid wood
No metal delivers the same warmth. Turned from ayous, linden, iroko or teak and finished in matt, satin or gloss varnish. Constant wet cleaning, direct sun and high humidity shorten its life — it belongs indoors, at moderate traffic. See the wooden range.
Composite
The material of high-volume, budget-led projects. Light, moisture-proof and moulded, so the unit cost is low. It does not carry the visual weight of cast iron, but across a chain rollout the total cost difference is decisive. See the composite range.
Finish options
The surface matters as much as the substrate. Finishes produced at Vialeg:
- Powder coating — any RAL colour, matt / satin / gloss.
- Chrome — bright, classic appearance.
- Titanium coating — scratch-resistant, dark metallic tones.
- Electroplating — gold and bronze.
- Wood varnish — natural tone or stained to any colour.
Do not forget freight
Heavy materials raise the freight cost per unit. Vialeg ships all export orders knock-down on pallets, a packing method that cuts freight per unit by up to five times compared with assembled shipping. When you specify a heavy material such as cast iron, build that difference into the landed cost.
Still undecided on material?
Tell us the venue type, the top material and the quantity, and we will narrow it down to the right range and model together.
Talk to us