Materials Guide
Furniture materials affect more than appearance. They influence weight, handling, cleaning, comfort and long-term durability. If you are buying for a commercial environment, material choice should be based on how the product will be used, how often it will be moved and what standard of finish the setting requires.
Main materials in the Expo Direct range
Moulded plastic (polypropylene shell)
Used in Eames-style chairs and Eames Eiffel armchairs. Moulded plastic shells are easy to wipe clean, hold their shape under repeated use and are available in multiple colours. They are practical in most commercial settings and hold up well in repeated-handling environments.
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth
- Resistant to surface marking from normal handling
- Lightweight relative to padded alternatives
- Available in a range of colours through the EventPro™ range
Steel construction
Used in full steel tables, Tolix-style chairs and the bases of Eames Eiffel armchairs. Steel is robust, visually clean and one of the most durable materials in commercial furniture. It suits modern event, venue and hospitality environments where a strong, consistent finish is needed.
- High structural durability under repeated use
- Powder-coated finishes resist marking and moisture
- Heavier than plastic or timber alternatives
- Best suited to environments where weight is not a constraint
Beech and composite bases
Used in Eames-style chairs and similar shell-seat designs. Beech legs balance the visual warmth of natural timber with adequate structural support. They suit venues and event environments where a clean modern look is the priority rather than maximum durability under heavy-duty conditions.
- Warmer appearance than all-steel alternatives
- Suitable for indoor venue and hospitality use
- Less suited to outdoor or wet environments
Padded upholstery
Used in conference chairs. Upholstered seating is better for comfort over longer seated periods — conferences, formal events and meetings where guests remain seated for extended durations. The trade-off is higher maintenance: fabric or vinyl surfaces require more attention in high-use or catering environments.
- Better comfort for longer-duration seated events
- Requires more regular cleaning in food-adjacent environments
- Less practical where chairs are moved and stacked frequently
Common questions
What material is easiest to clean?
Moulded plastic shells and smooth steel surfaces are the most straightforward to wipe down in commercial settings.
What gives the strongest modern look?
Steel tables, Tolix-style chairs and clean-shell Eames seating all support a contemporary finish. Combined, they produce a consistent modern commercial aesthetic.
What if comfort matters most?
Padded conference seating is the better choice where guests remain seated for longer periods, such as full-day conferences or formal meetings.
How does material choice relate to sustainability?
Materials that clean easily and resist marking tend to extend product life in commercial use. See the Sustainability page for more on how durability connects to responsible buying.
Browse and compare
Read the buying guides or go straight to the chairs and tables categories.
Chair guide Table guide Sustainability All buying guides EventPro Series