Aluminum bar stools are certainly unique in any setting, always sleek, modern, and stylish. No matter the location, be it a lounge, a bar, a dining room, a kitchen nook, or an outdoor patio, aluminum bar stools are ever popular.
There seems to be no end to the possible variations in size, look, function, and price of an aluminum bar stool. Other options, aside from color and general style, include foot rests, arm rests, back rests, padding, swivel seats, and they can be movable, stackable, stationary, tall, or short.
Aluminum bar stools can range in height from 18-inch “vanity” stools to 36-inch “spectator” stools. The average bar or lunch counter stool will be around 30 inches high. Just remember that you will need about at least 9 inches of space between the top of the seat and the counter or table top, and no more than 13 inches. If you will be placing several stools side by side, remember to measure the length of counter space and give each stool about 2 feet of horizontal space, especially for aluminum swivel bar stools.
Manufacturers And Prices Of Aluminum Bar Stools
A simple internet search will direct you to the top bar stool manufacturers on the web. Most of these will customize any order while offering dozens of styles and options already on their shelves. It can cost as little as $30 dollars for a small stool and as much as $500 to $700 dollars for a single, large stool with all the bells and whistles: foot rests, arm rests, leather padding, etc.
When shopping for aluminum bar stools, don’t forget to check the construction specifications. You get what you pay for. Heavy metal construction lasts longer than lighter construction. Metal bar stools with a single-body frame are stronger and more resilient than a stool put together in several parts. The less assembly required, the better, because nuts and bolts tend to wear down with use and will irreversibly loosen over time. Single-body construction means fewer welds, stronger stools, and much longer warranties.
The strength of the aluminum used in bar stool tubing is gauged with a number system, 1-gauge aluminum being the strongest (having the thickest walls) and 30-gauge being the thinnest. As mentioned above, having fewer welds is desirable, but only if those welds are strong, and thicker metal will always mean stronger, thicker welds. So, when choosing an aluminum bar stool, choose frames with fewer pieces and thicker tubing.
If you decide to purchase padded seating for your bar stools, don’t neglect the quality of the foam. Foam quality is mostly based on thickness and density. Low quality foam can wear out rather quickly, so this is not something you want to cut corners on. Some foam seats will go limp after six months of constant use, while quality bar stool covers can last for several years. Luckily, foam ratings are also based on a number system which makes it easier to choose the best quality. Bar stool foam should be between #18 and #32, the higher number being the most firm. Use higher numbers for padded seating and lower numbers for padded back rests.
It’s official: aluminum bar stools are sharp and stylish, fully customizable, can be used indoors or out, and depending on what you are willing to pay, they can last forever. So, don’t settle. Take your time and look around before buying.