Table Protector

So you have just bought a brand new dining table for your home. You no doubt are very proud of your purchase and want to invite friends over for dinner parties so you can exhibit your fine taste and style. Perhaps you bought an oak or a solid mahogany dining table to blend with the rest of your home décor? A table made from a high quality hardwood tends to very durable and should last a long time to come. Having said that, you can do your part to ensure it stays in pristine condition for as long as possible.

This is where a table protector can come in handy. It is expected that over time, extensive usage of your dining table will result in some wear which would show up on the surface of the table such as color fading or scratches. However, you can reduce and even eliminate some of these issues if you place a table protector over the top first. In this hub, I’ll give an introduction to this piece of innovative accessory as well as the things you need to consider when making a choice.

There are a few different types of table protectors but they all have the common purpose of preventing your precious dining table from being subject to damage and minimizing the wear it endures.

Just to be clear, table protectors aren’t just designed to be used on dining tables in your family home. They are also used in the commercial sector such on restaurant tables, boardroom tables as well as for personal usage. In the home, you could use a table top protector for other kinds of tables such as coffee tables, play tables, pool tables, display tables and shelves.

As such, it is important to establish the purpose with which you want to use a table protector. This will determine the characteristics which are of top priority. For example, if you are using table top protectors for your dining table, then you’ll likely need heat resistance from the protector material allowing you place hot dishes on top. It is essential you check the rated upper limit on the temperature for the protector. High quality protectors may allow up to 360 degrees Celsius whereas cheaper varieties are usually rated below 100 degrees Celsius.

If you are intending to use table protectors on tables in your restaurant business, then durability becomes important as they need to withstand a fair amount of usage from several rotations of different customers. An alternative is that you go for a cheap disposable type of table protector which can be replaced often without being a large overhead financially.

Aside from protecting your table from the damage caused by placing hot food on it, table protectors can be used on shelves, display tables and display cabinets to prevent damage caused by ornaments, antiques and the like. Some of these objects may have sharp edges and can be harsh, scratching off the finish on your furniture. So for example, if have an antique vase that will be placed on a glass table, then a glass table protector or some kind of table protector pads are a suitable choice.

Table protectors whether a dining table protector or kitchen table protector can come with varying features. Mostly, they are made from high quality plastic or polyester so any spillage can be simply wiped clean with minimal effort.

Good quality dining table protectors have felt on the underside which sits directly on the table surface. Since the felt is soft, it won’t damage the table from any friction between the two surfaces. You can choose to then place your food and drinks on the protector itself or you can place a tablecloth over the protector.

Another type is a clear table protector, which is made from vinyl and basically sits on top of the table cloth. So in this case, not only are your protecting the table, you are also preventing dirt and grime from getting onto the table cloth.

When getting a table protector, it is important to get the size correct. Therefore, the first thing to do is to measure your table, shelf or cabinet – consider the surface area on which you intend to place items. If your table is rectangular then measure the width and length. If it is a round dining table then use the diameter instead. There are then generally two options on what to do with the measurements – depending on the services provided by the table protector manufacturer, you can either tell them your table dimensions and they’ll cut to fit, or you can buy the protector in a roll and cut it yourself at home.