Materials Guide
Material choice affects weight, handling, cleaning and durability — not just appearance. This guide covers how each material performs in commercial use.
Materials in the Expo Direct range
Moulded plastic (polypropylene shell)
Used in Eames-style chairs and Eames Eiffel armchairs. Polypropylene shells are easy to wipe clean, hold their shape under repeated use and are available in multiple colours. Practical in most commercial settings and hold up well in repeated-handling environments.
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.
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.
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 in food-adjacent or high-turnover environments.
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 affect sustainability?
Materials that clean easily and resist marking 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.