People come in all shapes and sizes. It’s something society as a whole seems to forget, but at the very least, we should all be able to sit comfortably in our favorite lawn and camping chairs.
To date, over 70,000 people have turned to Quality Logo Products to buy custom lawn chairs for sporting events, campgrounds, and picnics. One customer ended up stacking the chair with watermelons (no kidding) and was shocked to see that it didn’t fall apart. He shared the story over email and asked us what the weight capacity was on his chair.
Folding chairs, patio furniture, and any other outdoor seat is built to be reliable. As you’ll see, it can support plenty of weight before you have to worry about anything breaking.
Amidst the iconic signs of summer in the USA – the cold brew from the cooler, the grill, the sweating pitcher of lemonade, the checkered picnic blanket – one object is all too often overlooked: the lawn chair.
Margaret Eby, writer for Men’s Journal
https://domesticdomestic.com/
How Are Lawn Chairs Made?
You can’t truly appreciate the weight limits of a lawn chair without first understanding how it’s made. It takes fine craftsmanship and expert precision to get your favorite outdoor chairs ready for sitting!
Here’s how a lawn chair is made step by step:
- Step One: Aluminum poles are lined up on a machine where they’re cut and pieced together to create the frame.
- Step Two: The webbing is laid out by hand in a crisscrossed pattern over the aluminum frame.
- Step Three: The webbing is checked for quality control to ensure there are no snags or bumps.
- Step Four: The webbing is extended up and around the aluminum frame at the top as well as around the seat section. It is then secured in place.
- Step Five: Finally, the arm rests are added and the chair is ready to go!
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Step 1 
Creating the Frames
The aluminum frame is created using high-tech machinery. This part is a bit tricky as each piece needs to be precise in order for the chair to eventually fold open and closed. In fact, there’s a specific pole that’s used for the front legs and a specific pole for the back legs.
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Step 2 
Weaving the Webbing
During this step, the webbing is placed by hand over the aluminum frame. Each strip is precisely measured and laid out one by one until the entire frame is covered in the designated pattern. These strips can be a variety of colors and sizes, creating a ton of unique looks and styles!
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Step 3 
Checking the Work
Now it’s time for some quality control! The webbing has to be extremely precise to avoid any snags or bumps in the pattern. It also has to be pulled extremely taut over the frame in order to withstand a person’s body weight when they take a seat.
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Step 4 
Wrapping the Frame
Once the webbing is nice and tight, the next step is pulling it up and around the aluminum frame at the top and then around the seat section. It is then secured in place. This is done carefully by a worker who makes sure it doesn’t slip or fall apart along the way.
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Step 5 
Adding the Arm Rests
The final touch is fitting plastic or metal arm rests onto the chairs. The chairs are then ready for lounging on the beach, sitting around a campfire, or hanging out on the sidelines at a local baseball game!
Did You Know?
Lawn Chair USA has been a top supplier of the iconic web backed lawn chairs since 2010. Every chair is proudly made in America!
How Much Weight Can a Folding Chair Hold?
Most folding chairs, lawn chairs, or camping chairs can support a weight of 300 to 800 pounds. It really depends on the manufacturer and the quality of the materials they use to make the chairs.
This infographic shows you just how much weight a folding chair can support:
Let’s say you have to temporarily place a large keg, a few cases of soda, or for some strange reason, a baby elephant on your lawn chairs. You should be good to go without any issues.*
Generally speaking, plastic and mesh chairs have a lower weight capacity than metal and fabric chairs. You also shouldn’t keep too much weight on your chairs for an extended period of time. The longer the weight sits on the chair, the higher the probability for damage.
*DISCLAIMER: The weight limit on chairs will vary depending on the model of the chair. Check with the manufacturer directly before stacking anything heavy on your lawn chairs. Quality Logo Products® is not responsible for any damage.
What Are the Most Lightweight Lawn Chairs?
The most lightweight lawn chairs are made from plastic, aluminum, or synthetic fibers like canvas, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene. Wicker chairs and wood chairs can also be pretty lightweight, though they tend to be a bit more expensive.
The following materials are all used to make lawn chairs:
- Plastic
- Aluminum
- Canvas
- Nylon
- Polyester
- Polypropylene
- Wicker
- Wood
Plastic
For the most part, plastic lawn chairs are affordable and super easy to clean. If they fold up, they’re also fairly easy to carry. A plastic lawn chair has a pretty high weight tolerance, but it may be less sturdy than metal or wood chairs.
Aluminum
The word “heavy” and “metal” seem to go hand in hand, but aluminum is actually a fairly lightweight material. It’s excellent for lawn chairs as it’s extremely sturdy and durable.
Synthetic Fibers
Do you need a chair you can take on the go? Lawn chairs made from materials like canvas, nylon, polyester, or polypropylene are a good option! These chairs typically come with some kind of matching carrying sleeve.
Wicker
You’ll get a nice, quaint look with wicker lawn chairs. While they’re not as portable as other materials, they do sit nicely on your deck or porch. They’re a favorite for restaurants that have outdoor patio areas.
Wood
Wood is an outdoorsy material that looks excellent in your backyard. Keep in mind, not all wood chairs are particularly lightweight. Do your homework ahead of time if that’s an important factor in your chair buying experience.
The material of the lawn chairs won’t make much of a difference when it comes to weight capacity. It really comes down to how your chair is built and the quality of the materials.
Still, there’s no wrong choice for which type of lawn chair you end up buying. Look around and find the style that works for you!
Can You Use Camping Chairs at the Beach?
You can definitely use camping chairs for the beach or any other outdoor event. They’re typically made from a fabric like canvas or polyester and come with a matching carrying sleeve for your convenience.
Bear in mind, the beach can be windy, which makes it hard to keep camping chairs in the sand. To combat the problem, try bringing along bungee cords and tying your chair to something heavy like a full cooler or even a rock. This is a much safer option that stacking a bunch of extra weight on top of your chairs.
How to Keep Folding Chairs from Sinking In Grass
Are you setting up chairs in the yard for a backyard wedding, family reunion, or picnic? If so, you might find that the chair legs stick into the ground when your guests take a seat.
You can easily stop your folding chairs from sinking into the grass by placing the following items under the legs:
- Tennis balls
- Wood pieces
- Jar lids
- Ceramic tiles
- Heavy drink coasters
For elegant events, try painting the pieces under each leg with some kind of decorative touch. It will look a lot less tacky, and get a ton of compliments from all your guests.
How Do You Fix Lawn Chairs?
Don’t freak out if you go over the weight capacity on your lawn chair. It’s fairly easy to fix, especially if it’s made from webbing. You only need a little time and the right tools for the job.
Here’s how to repair the webbing on a lawn chair:
1. Remove the old webbing.
This should be done carefully using a screwdriver and pliers.
2. Measure and cut new pieces.
Use the old webbing as a reference and start cutting new fabric or webbing (available online or at certain hardware stores) for the chair. Each piece should be the same size as the old webbing, plus an extra two inches for leverage.
3. Fit it on the chair.
Weave the new fabric onto the chair, following an over and under pattern. Cut any excess fabric that’s hanging over the metal frame.
4. Screw the pieces in place.
Secure each piece of fabric or webbing onto the chair by screwing it into the metal frame. Make sure it’s nice and tight.
5. Take a seat.
Your chair is good to go!
You can also replace the material on fabric chairs, or refinish metal chairs that are stained or rusty. If you want a project, give restoring your chairs a shot before you get rid of them completely!
What Can You Do with Old Lawn Chairs?
As hard as you try, sometimes you simply can’t fix a broken lawn chair. No worries! You have plenty of other options for what to do with your old chairs instead.
Donate
Bring your lawn chairs to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army. There might be some crafty person out there looking for a project, and your chair might be just what they need!
Pay for Furniture Removal
Apps like LoadUp will get rid of your old lawn chairs for you if they’re ridiculously heavy. The movers will come right to your deck or porch and haul away your furniture for a reasonable price. You can also drag your chairs and tables out for curbside pickup and save a bit of money.
Turn it Into a Drink Holder
Carve a hole into the seat of your chair and fit it with a metal bucket. Fill the bucket with ice, put your favorite drinks inside, and you’ve got yourself a nice standing drink holder for your backyard barbecues!
Create a Tree Swing
Remove the legs and arms from your chair and secure the seat part to a rope. From there, securely tie the chair to a strong tree in your front yard. This isn’t as ideal for playing as a tire swing, but it is great when you want to catch a light breeze while reading a good book!
Repurpose the Pieces
When in doubt, you can break your chairs into sections and create something new. Chairs with intricate backs can be repurposed into picture frames or towel racks. Metal armrests can become coat hangers. Wood legs are great kindling for a fire. The possibilities are endless!
Can You Recycle Lawn Chairs?
Metal lawn chairs can be recycled if they’re made from aluminum, steel, or wrought iron. Plastic lawn chairs, on the other hand, are only recyclable if they’re made from PET, HDPE, PVC, or LDPE. Contact your local recycler for more information.
You can typically find out what type of plastic or metal is used simply by reaching out to the company you purchased the chair from. You can also see if the information is listed on the warranty or assembly instructions.
Keep in mind, wood lawn chairs cannot be recycled since they’re usually treated with a varnish or sealer. It’s better to try to find a new use for those wood pieces instead.
If you want more information about recycling, be sure to check out Earth911’s Recycling Search.
The Bottom Line
Your lawn chairs are made with precision, which means they can last a long time. They’re also strong enough to withstand even the heaviest items, whether it’s a few cases of soda or a baby elephant. So go ahead… pop a squat and enjoy the nice weather!
References
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https://beerkeezer.com/keg-weight/
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Home Guides. How to Repair the Webbing on Lounge Chairs. Retrieved from,
https://homeguides.sfgate.com/repair-webbing-lounge-chairs-31414.html
Smith, M. How to Reweb a Lawn Chair. Retrieved from,
https://www.hunker.com/12001195/how-to-reweb-a-lawn-chair
Y Lighting. The Best Materials for Modern Outdoor Furniture. Retrieved from,
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Brassaw, B. (2019, February 27). Recycling Mystery: Patio Furniture. Retrieved from,
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