Material Matchmaking: Choosing the Right Surface for Your Space
November 4, 2025
Posted in : Uncategorized
Picking the right surface for your tables, booths, or counters is part aesthetics, part practicality. For high-traffic commercial spaces — restaurants, cafeterias, breakrooms — the right material makes a big difference in longevity, cleaning, and feel. Plymold can help customers explore four common choices, so you can match materials to both use and mood. 
Vinyl for booth seats & vinyl/woven for booth backs
Plymold can source high-quality booth covering materials that will keep your seating looking great during wear and tear with customers and employees. Consider vinyl for seat cushions and vinyl or woven for backing materials. Mesa, Vista, and Horizon are all great options for wipe-clean surfaces.
Laminate — the all-rounder for heavy use
Laminate is Plymold’s go-to for high-traffic tabletops. Their Dur-A-Edge laminate tops combine a high-pressure laminate face with a molded polyurethane edge that resists chipping, provides a hygienic seal, and stands up to frequent cleaning — ideal for casual dining or quick-serve concepts where spills and abrasion are constant. Plymold also recommends simple care routines (mild soap and water; avoid abrasives) that help prolong laminate life in busy environments. If you need many color options, patterns, and near-zero maintenance, laminate is the practical winner. Laminate should also be considered for booths! Plymold’s Contour and Horizon both feature laminate seats that won’t hit the landfill any time soon.
Metal — structure and a modern edge
Metal surfaces and frames bring structural strength and a modern industrial aesthetic to commercial furniture looks. Plymold uses powder-coated steel frames for chairs, table bases, and receptacle tops; these frames pair well with laminate or wood tops and are easy to clean and durable in commercial settings. Metal is especially smart where durability, fire resistance, and an exposed-frame look matter — such as in bar areas or high-use communal tables. If you want a minimalist, long-lasting skeleton for mixed-material tops, metal does the heavy lifting.
Wood — warmth, character, and selective use
Real wood, including solid tops , offer unmatched warmth and character — think communal farmhouse tables. Plymold offers solid wood options (for example, beech on some communal tables) and stains or finishes that can be specified to match a brand palette. Metal chairs with wood seats and backs are also options. Wood reads as higher-end but requires more care — , sensitivity to moisture and humidity, and careful cleaning — so it’s best reserved for areas where ambiance and tactile quality matter more than constant wipe-downs.
How to match material to space (quick guide)
- Busy casual / QSR: Dur-A-Edge laminate with metal frame for communal tables or metal base for stand alone tables— durable, hygienic, and cost-efficient.
- Upscale casual / communal: Solid wood on metal frames — warmth with strength.
- Outdoor / heavy-duty / industrial: Powder-coated metal for weather and wear resistance. Recycled plastic lumber is also an option for outdoor furniture offered by Plymold.
- Branded or high-variation projects: laminate for pattern flexibility.
Bottom line: Pick laminate for resilience and easy upkeep, metal for structure and longevity, and wood for warmth and presence. Plymold’s catalog and finish guide make it easy to specify the right combination of frame, top, and edge for your operational needs — helping you create a space that looks intentional and works hard all day.