By Joe Griffin
President
Contract Furnishings International, Inc.
As Published in CondoManagement Magazine
May 2005
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Home Page
PO Box 11469
Bradenton, FL 34282-1469
Phone (941)359-6900
Fax (941)359-6935
E-mail:
info@contract-furnishings.com Patio Furniture
Aluminum Patio Furniture
Resin Furniture
Patio Umbrellas
Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Customer Comments
Busch Gardens
Helmsley Sandcastle
Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort
Links
Home Page
PO Box 11469
Bradenton, FL 34282-1469
Phone (941)359-6900
Fax (941)359-6935
E-mail:
info@contract-furnishings.com Patio Furniture
Aluminum Patio Furniture
Resin Furniture
Patio Umbrellas
Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Customer Comments
Busch Gardens
Helmsley Sandcastle
Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort
Links
Low maintenance or high style?.
You might think resort quality furnishings must be high style and expensive. Indeed, the opposite is often true. Several high profile resorts use relatively inexpensive commercial grade resin furniture on their pool decks and other common areas. These resorts are interested in low maintenance, reliable furniture that looks good, is safe, and is easy on the budget. The key is to choose furniture made to modern commercial use specifications, with a focus on safety features.
At the other end of the scale are high style resorts that purchase expensive, fancy furniture for their pool decks and common areas. Often, this type of furniture is not appropriate for the typical homeowner association, due to its delicate nature, high maintenance, high cost, and potential safety issues.
Where should you look for commercial pool furniture? Typically, you won't find modern commercial grade furniture at your neighborhood drug store or discount chain store, which most often sell residential quality furniture. Such products are often made out of the country, with unclear specifications and questionable durability in commercial applications. Repairs and warranty issues may be difficult to resolve, and replacement parts may be impossible to find. More importantly, if the furniture fails and a resident or guest is injured, your association's liability exposure may be greatly increased an investigation determines that the furniture was residential rather than commercial quality.
What should you look for when shopping for commercial quality furniture? Pay close attention to the details:
- Is the furniture manufactured in the USA, or in a foreign country?
- What are the specifications? Does the furniture have sufficient bracing and design to withstand hard, commercial use? Does it have definite safety features, especially at the moving parts of chaise lounges? A knowledgeable and reputable commercial furnishings company will provide the specifications and safety features of its products in writing.
- What are the materials? Are the frames and parts made of heavy duty commercial grade materials? Is all the hardware stainless steel? Do sled base style chaise lounges have adequate skid plates to protect the sled bases from damage due to dragging? Do chaises and chairs made with legs have high quality nylon glides?
- What is the warranty, and is it a commercial use warranty? What are the exclusions? Read the warranty carefully. Often, the fine print makes the warranty useless. Standard commercial warranties typically run from one to five years, and are prorated. If coverage for a given item is not clearly spelled out, then it is likely not warranted.
By choosing carefully, you can be sure that your association members will be able to enjoy their pool, spa and deck furniture for years to come.
Pool Furniture Repair or Replace
Patio Furniture Modern Construction and Safety Features
Pool Furniture Extreme Makeover at Kings Point Condo
Patio Furniture Care and Maintenance
Types of Patio Furniture
Wicker and Rattan Furniture
Customer Comments | Patio Furniture Care | Links
Busch Gardens | Helmsley Sandcastle
Ron Jon Cape Caribe Resort