Glossary of Table Base Terms

Table bases are our passion, and sometimes we get a little caught up in our world filled with aluminum, steel, stainless steel and cast iron! So we've decided to post a simple glossary of terms. The following are some of the words that are helpful to know when selecting a table base, to make sure you get the best fit possible for your table top. 

304 Stainless Steel: This is a commercial specification for stainless steel, often used for kitchen appliances because of its sanitary properties. Grade 304 steel is very durable, resists corrosion and is easy to clean and maintain. 

Aluminum:Aluminum is a very lightweight and weather resistant metal that is perfect for outdoor use. Aluminum resists corrosion and does not rust. We do not recommend paring aluminum bases with heavy table tops. 

Black Powder coat, Matte & Semi-Gloss: Powder coating is a dry finishing process. Finely ground particles of pigment and resin are electrostatically charged and sprayed onto the products to be coated. The parts to be coated are electrically grounded, so that the charged particles adhere to them until melted and fused into a solid coating in a curing oven. The result is an attractive, durable, high-quality finish. We offer matt (not shiny) and semi-gloss (somewhat shiny) powder coat finishes. 

Brushed stainless steel: We offer this finish on many of our bases. It is made to match the look of most modern stainless steel appliances, with a smooth metal finish that includes brush lines. 

Brushed chrome: This finish is very similar to stainless steel, but appears brighter and slightly more reflective. 

Cast Iron: Cast iron is a very heavy and durable metal that pairs well with heavy table tops such as granite or marble. Although all of our cast iron table base parts are black powder coated to help resist corrosion, we do not recommend cast iron bases for dedicated use outdoors, as the material can rust and would require frequent maintenance. 

Column: This is the central piece of your table base. The column can be square, cylindrical or even elliptical, and made from a variety of materials including steel, stainless steel, wood, cast iron and aluminum. The different materials have different strengths and weaknesses. 

Glides: Also known as leveling glides, these are the pieces that screw into the underside of the base. They are usually constructed of metal or impact resistant nylon (plastic), and permit a limited amount of adjustment to accomodate uneven flooring. 

MDF: Medium Density Fibreboard is a material constructed of pieces of wood fibres, mixed with a wax or resin, which is then heated and pressurized to create a wood panel that is denser than plywood. 

Polished chrome: A highly reflective finish that does not have the brushed lines you get with brushed stainless steel or brushed chrome. 

Spread: This figure represents the size of the base plate. Imagine a circle that encloses the base plate. The diameter (the length of a straight line passing through the center of the imagined circle from one side to another) is the "spread". For some four footed or square table base plates, we give the "side" measurement, instead of the spread. 

Spider: The spider is also referred to as the mounting plate, and can be made of steel, cast iron, and in some cases aluminum. This is the piece that sits atop the table base column, and is secured to your table top or sub-top. 

Sub-top: The sub-top, usually made from plywood or medium density fiberboard (MDF), is a board that is glued to the underside of your table top using construction adhesive, and is the piece to which that mounting plate, or spider, is attached. Sub-tops are recommended for table top materials such as granite or marble, and can be used with all tops to prevent screwing into the table top material. This ensures that your table top will not be damaged by the mounting hardware; screwing into the granite would create weak points in the stone. It also allows for the base and top to be separated or remounted in the future if needed, without damaging your table top.