What to Look for When Purchasing an Extendable Dining Table 

When it comes to investing in an extendable dining table, careful consideration of several essential factors is crucial before your purchase. Here are the key takeaways.

 1.Know Your Space: 

Before buying a dining table, assess the dimensions of your dining area and determine the available space. Measure the room to ensure that the extended and collapsed configurations of the table fit within the available space. A huge tip we tell customers is to physically put masking tape on the floor. This visual cue usually changes what size people think they need for their space when actually seeing it at scale.

 2. Quality and Durability:

Know what you are buying. Is the table veneer or solid wood? Veneer tables are a micro-thin sheet of wood glued onto particleboard (you know the ikea stuff that looks like ground up sawdust). Unsure? check the details. If it says veneer, run fast.

 3. The Finish:

Conversion Varnish or Catalyzed Lacquer are your top choices. Oil finish is preferable since water based finishes can get rings from glasses or moisture. Choose a matte finish since they are close to the wood and show texture without looking like bar top epoxy from a frat bar.

 4. Extension Mechanism: 

Take a look at the extension table mechanism. A smooth and reliable extension mechanism is crucial for hassle-free adjustments between the extended and collapsed configurations. Prioritize tables with intuitive extension systems that allow for seamless transitions, minimizing the effort required to modify the table's size. Check to see if the table leaves are self-storing.

5. Stability and Sturdiness: 

Stability is paramount when selecting an extendable dining table. Ensure that the table exhibits exceptional stability and sturdiness, even when fully extended. A table with multiple leaves exceeding 2 or more will likely need a third leg. If there is no mention of this, the table WILL sag over time. Large manufacturers omit this since it is additional cost and hurts their bottom line. 

6. Maintenance and Care: 

Consider the maintenance requirements associated with the chosen dining table. Check the JANKA hardness, which is a measure of how easily the wood can dent. Pine or poplar is very low on this scale and dings super easily, while woods such as bamboo or ironwood are way more resistant to bumps and dings.

 7:Price and Budget: 

Establish a clear budget for your dining table purchase and explore options that align with your financial parameters. A 700-1500$ extension table is most likely not made from solid wood and will need to be replaced in a few years. While it is essential to remain within your budget, prioritize quality and longevity over price. 

 8. Reviews and Recommendations: 

Prior to finalizing your decision, seek out reviews that have actual photos. These reviews are rarely fake. Check the social media of the company you are purchasing from and look at the engagement and feedback of their customers. A little internet sleuthing can go a long way.