Pros and Cons of Steel Chiavari Chairs

Evaluating Steel Chiavari Chairs: Is It the Right Choice for Your Business?

Written by: Marcelo Flores

Are you considering steel Chiavari chairs for your event space or rental business? This article delves into the pros and cons of steel Chiavari chairs, highlighting their features to help you make an informed decision. From their unmatched strength and durability to their considerations for use, understand what sets these chairs apart in the chair market.

1. Pro: Durability

Steel chiavari chairs are extremely durable. They are 100% made from steel and they’re completely welded, making their structure almost impossible to break or bend. Additionally, Seat Co. steel chairs have a 7-Year warranty, so you can rest assured that they will last for a very long time.

Of course, their durability will also extend as long as they are used appropriately. They are an ideal chair for indoor venues, but perhaps not so much for outdoors. Read on to learn more about it.

2. Pro: Strength

Steel chairs are super strong and sturdy. 

We all know that steel is a very resistant material, but many have concerns about their weight. Well, although they support +2,000 lbs, they are also lightweight, weighing only between 9 and 11 lbs, which is roughly the same as resin chiavari chairs.

3. Pro: Price

Steel chiavari chairs have very competitive prices. They are a little more expensive than some wooden chairs but they’re roughly the same as resin. And the price-quality relation is extremely good.

Seat Co offers a wide variety of steel chiavari chairs for different budgets and needs. They offer more than 14 different models only for the Chiavari style and they vary in size, whether with a fixed or removable cushion, finishes and even production process. They range between $49.90 and $69.90.

4. Pro: Minimal Maintenance

Steel chairs are completely welded so they require practically no maintenance. Not having any screws greatly reduces the need for maintenance, but they also won’t need maintenance for another reason.

As they are painted with UV protective paint and steel doesn’t chip, they won’t need any type of touch-up of that kind. Of course, they can get scratched, but the paint won’t come off in any case. The only maintenance they could potentially need is a replacement of glides, protective caps, and a touch-up of paint.

5. Pro: Excellent for Indoor Venues

It’s important to understand before purchasing chairs that not all chairs are the same and that every business owner has different needs.

For instance, steel chairs are a great and super durable chair, but their use is recommended indoors. They can of course be a good option for outdoors and party rentals, but we believe that for extending their lifecycle as long as possible, they should be used primarily indoors.

For indoor venues, they are an excellent option. We have clients with their steel chairs for more than a decade and they are still in perfect condition. Steel is a material that doesn’t wear over time, and with little touch-ups every once in a while, they could last for many years.

6. Pro: Lower Lifetime Costs

All maintenance and repair costs, replacements of chairs and the durability, costs money over the life of your chair ownership.

Because steel chairs need much less of this work, and they last longer, you can often save thousands of dollars over the years over what you might have spent to upkeep other chairs.

7. Pro: Residual Value

Residual Value is one key feature to keep in mind when you want to maximize your ROI. It’s commonly overlooked but plays a key role in the profitability of an investment. Replacing chairs is costly, but what if you could get a great amount for those chairs you’re replacing.

Steel chairs have a high residual value due to two main reasons.

The first is that as it is a very sturdy and robust material, steel chairs normally won’t break. They could lose their attractiveness after many years (maybe the paint finish), but they will still fulfill their function. So they can be sold for a good amount or even restored.

And the second one is that steel is a very expensive material. So even in the worst case scenario, you can even sell them as scrap.

8. Pro: They are Eco-Friendly

Just as aluminum chairs, steel Chiavari chairs are an eco-friendly option for several reasons. Firstly, steel is fully recyclable, which reduces waste and conserves resources. Additionally, due to their durability, these chairs have a longer lifespan, minimizing the environmental impact associated with frequent replacements. Unlike wood or resin alternatives that often require overseas shipments, resulting in higher carbon emissions, steel chairs offer a more sustainable choice by reducing both waste and the carbon footprint associated with their production and transportation.

9. Pro: Overall ROI

For the majority of businesses, ROI is the most important factor to keep in mind. It’s what’s going to tell you if your investment was good or bad.

The combination of durability, minimal maintenance and repairs, and a 7-year warranty positions steel chairs as a top choice for achieving excellent return on investment, especially if the following cons are manageable for you.

10. Con: Not the Best Choice for Outdoors

It’s really important you understand your needs and the specifications of every chair before purchasing a large quantity. Steel chairs are a very resistant and durable choice, but they aren’t the best choice for outdoors. They will surely last for many years, but if you understand this, you will make a smarter investment.

11. Con: Aesthetic Preferences

Steel chairs are gorgeous but there are some clients that prefer the unique and classic look of wood over metal. They are very similar to wooden chairs but they are simply not made from wood, and some might prefer that.

Also, another disadvantage is that even though steel chairs are available in a lot of colors, they can’t be found in wooden colors. So, if you’re looking for any specific wooden color, steel chairs won’t be that chair you’re looking.

12. Con: Acoustic Considerations

Something to consider is that some people don’t like the sound of metal. All chairs make noise when moved around or when they hit each other, but steel chairs can make a higher pitch noise that can be annoying for some people.

It will probably not be annoying at the events because there is music and a lot of people making noise, but there are certain people who might not like it.

---

Selecting the right chair material for your business involves weighing multiple factors including durability, cost, maintenance, and aesthetic preferences. Understanding the pros and cons of steel Chiavari chairs can help you make a well-informed decision that aligns with your business goals and customer expectations. To continue learning more, read our guide on the Pros and Cons of Aluminum Chiavari chairs.