A wood restaurant chair is the default in most American dining rooms for good reason: it is warm, repairable, and if it is built properly it survives years of being dragged, tipped back on two legs and stacked on tables at closing. The difference between a contract wood chair and a retail one is almost entirely hidden in the joints and the finish.
What we build in:
- Hardwood frames in ash, oak or beech (species depends on the model and your finish), kiln-dried before machining so joints do not loosen as the wood settles in a heated, air-conditioned room.
- Mortise-and-tenon or dowelled joints, glued under clamp pressure, never just screwed.
- Corner blocks glued and screwed into each inside corner under the seat, the single detail that keeps a seat frame square after thousands of sit-downs.
- Commercial finishes: catalyzed or polyurethane coatings with good resistance to water, alcohol and kitchen cleaners, in stain colors matched to your sample.
- Glides on every leg: nylon for hard floors, felt or PTFE options for wood floors, metal-capped where you need it.
| Wood chair type | Typical seat height | Best use | Watch-out |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hoop or spindle back | 18 in (46 cm) | Cafes, bistros, family dining | Spindles need tight sockets; check the drawing |
| Bentwood | 18 in (46 cm) | Bistros, wine bars | Lightweight; specify reinforcing rings for heavy use |
| Y-back / cord seat | 17.5-18 in (44-46 cm) | Brasserie, Nordic, hotel dining | Paper-cord seats wear at the front edge first |
| Slab-back with padded seat | 18 in (46 cm) | All-day dining, steakhouses | Removable seat pan makes reupholstery quick |
| Cane panel back | 18 in (46 cm) | Cafes, hotel restaurants | Cane panel should be replaceable, not glued in |
Every chair in this collection can be quoted with a padded seat in your fabric or vinyl, in a custom stain, or with an arm version where the frame allows it. If you are pairing chairs with existing booths, send the table height and apron depth and we will confirm the seat height and arm clearance on the drawing.








