Heat Testing TimeWorn’s Restaurant Table Tops

Read Time: 9 minutes

Your restaurant table tops endure the everyday traffic that comes with great food and service. They need to be able to withstand the daily beatings that come with the hospitality industry. In addition to scuffs, scratches, and bangs, restaurant table tops are expected to hold up to extreme temperatures from cool beverages to hot, out-of-the-oven meals. Wooden table tops that are not properly protected will quickly take on damage such as cracking, stains, discoloration, and burns. At TimeWorn, we pride ourselves on providing your restaurant space with beautifully crafted table tops designed to withstand constant everyday use.

Standard Heat Practices in the Food Industry

We tested our products to withstand extreme heat, well past the limit of what is safe for consumers. Our tables held up against temperatures that go well beyond what the human body can handle. Although our tables are made to handle the heat, it is important to consider the safety of your customers and staff when serving food and hot beverages. Hot beverages are typically served between 160 degrees and 185 degrees. Even brief exposure to these temperatures can cause serious burns to the skin and mouth.

We tested our tables well beyond these limits to ensure that you will never see any issues occur with your TimeWorn table tops due to heat.

What Makes a Table Heat Resistant?

Heat resistance in the food industry is defined as a surface’s ability to withstand the temperature extremes of food, beverages, and the serving dishes that carry them. When considering your table tops, heat resistance is an important quality to consider – otherwise, you may find yourself repairing or replacing them with a frequency that could cost you, or tolerating worn-out and beat-up table tops that diminish your restaurants overall appeal.

Wood is not naturally heat resistant enough to withstand the extreme temperatures that land on restaurant table tops; however a proper finish creates a barrier on the wood that prevents contact with those extreme heats.

Why Use Wood Where Heat Resistance is Needed?

There are other materials that can handle the heat. Granite, for example, is naturally resistant to heat which prevents it from taking on damage; however, material like granite is not sustainable and does not fit every budget or aesthetic. On the opposite end of the spectrum, laminate table tops are cheap, but they will quickly and easily take on damage from extreme temperatures.

Wood table tops consistently rank at the top of every list for essential features in restaurant tables. Not only do wood table tops fall on the more affordable side, but they also boast incredible durability, and, when finished properly, they can withstand wear and tear, spills, frequent cleaning, and extreme heat with ease.

At TimeWorn, we specialize in making wood table tops that are made to endure temperature extremes while also adding beauty and elegance to your restaurant’s overall ambience. To ensure top quality, we put our tables to the test.

Testing Our Table Tops

Several factors were considered when testing our wood table tops: the temperature, the hot material placed on the table tops, and the species of wood used for the table tops.

Different materials heat and distribute that heat differently. Consider baking, for example. Depending on what you are baking, you will choose between a metal or glass pan. Metal will heat faster and release the heat faster. Glass takes longer to heat but retains the heat for a longer period. A metal pizza pan is going to absorb and release heat much quicker than glass or ceramic. Because of these differences, our experiment included ceramic, metal, and glass.

Like different cooking materials, different species of untreated wood are going to take the heat differently. Tree species can be classified in two categories – hardwood and softwood. The easiest way to distinguish the two is that hardwood will lose its leaves in the winter. Softwood trees grow needles rather than leaves. Because hardwood typically grows at a much slower rate, its rings are more compact. It is typically a stronger, more durable, wood. In terms of our experiment, this would mean that hardwood, like oak and walnut, would take longer to burn, whereas pine, a softwood, would burn quickly.

All tests were conducted with completed and finished table tops. Below are the results of our tests.

Results

The results proved the effectiveness of our finishing process in terms of heat-resistance. Time and time again, our table tops maintained their beauty while taking on extreme heat. Regardless of the wood species, the table tops endured the same amount of heat.

Because the results were consistent across all species of wood, this proves that our finishing process protected the wood from any direct contact with the heat, preventing damage to the wood. The softwood pine handled the heat just as well as the hardwood walnut because of the care we put into protecting the actual wood surface.

Why Our Tables Do So Well Under Heat

Our heat proof table tops are not only made from high quality material sourced from the U.S.A., but our finishing process is the best to be found. After testing dozens of finishing options over the years, we at TimeWorn discovered the most effective finish was an acrylic polyurethane. This chemical compound is not just heat resistant – it is chemical and moisture resistant. This finish can stand up to most chemical cleaning products, spills, condensation, and more. It can also prevent scratches and scuffs. Because of the high quality finish, our tables are not just the best tables for hot plates, but also for the restaurant industry as a whole.

With an effective coating, the wood is virtually untouched. You can enjoy the beauty of our solid heat proof table tops knowing that they will not be harmed by everyday use.

Test It Yourself

Although we really don’t recommend you experiment with extreme heat, we do want you to test the quality of our table tops for yourself. If you are interested in our table tops for your restaurant, contact us. We gladly provide large samples that you can feel, touch, scratch, and test with your own hot coffee or hot plate. You can also see which finish fits in with your overall restaurant design. We know that once you see our samples in your place of business you will be ready to buy.

Conclusion

TimeWorn’s wood table tops are the perfect combination of durability, functionality, and beauty, making them the ultimate choice for restaurants and the hospitality industry. Our rigorous testing process has proven that our acrylic polyurethane finish provides unmatched protection against extreme heat, scratches, moisture, and chemicals, ensuring your tables maintain their elegance and integrity through everyday use. With a wide range of wood species, finishes, and customization options, we offer solutions that cater to both the practical needs and aesthetic desires of your space. Contact us today to explore our heat-resistant table tops and experience the quality firsthand—because at TimeWorn, we don’t just build tables, we build trust and timeless craftsmanship.

FAQ

How are your table tops heat resistant?

Our table tops are heat resistant due to our specialized acrylic polyurethane finish. This finish creates a protective barrier that prevents heat from penetrating and damaging the wood, allowing the table tops to handle extreme temperatures without warping, cracking, or discoloration.

Our tables have been tested to withstand extreme temperatures far beyond what is typical in the hospitality industry. They can endure the heat from hot serving dishes, pots, and beverages without taking on damage, ensuring longevity even in high-use environments.

Yes, all of our tables, from our reclaimed wood options to our modern walnut or oak designs, are finished with the same heat-resistant coating, ensuring every piece meets the same high standard of durability.

Thanks to our heat-resistant finish, our table tops are designed to handle direct contact with hot dishes or pans without leaving burn marks, discoloration, or damage to the surface. Please refer to the above table to review the temperature limits.

Yes! Our custom bar tops, such as those made from reclaimed oak or walnut, are finished with the same protective acrylic polyurethane, making them resistant to heat, moisture, and wear, even in busy bar environments.

Absolutely. We can create custom-sized table tops tailored to your specific needs, whether for compact bistro tables, large dining tables, or communal seating areas, all with the same heat-resistant finish. We can create any shape or edge profile as well.

Yes, our reclaimed wood tables are treated with the same acrylic polyurethane finish, ensuring that their rustic beauty is protected from heat, scratches, and stains.

Yes, our communal tables, such as our large walnut and oak options, are built to withstand high traffic and heat, making them perfect for hotel banquet halls or event spaces.

No, our heat-resistant acrylic polyurethane finish is designed for long-term use. It resists wear and tear from frequent cleaning, spills, and high temperatures, maintaining its protective barrier for years.

Maintenance is simple! Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and mild detergent. Avoid abrasive cleaners, as they are unnecessary thanks to the durability of our finish.

Hot liquids won’t damage our tables. The heat-resistant finish prevents warping, staining, or discoloration, so your tables stay in pristine condition.

Yes, our finish is designed for high-use environments like restaurants and bars, where repeated exposure to heat is common. The protective barrier remains effective even with frequent use.

Absolutely. All of our solid wood restaurant tables are excellent options for high-end hotels, offering a perfect combination of timeless elegance, exceptional heat resistance, and long-lasting durability.

Yes, our heat-resistant bar tops, such as our cherry, maple, walnut or reclaimed wood options, are perfect for busy bars, where heat from hot dishes and constant spills are common.

Yes, we offer compact and customizable heat-resistant tables ideal for coffee shops, designed to handle the heat from hot beverages and food without damage.

Our tables are crafted and our finish was designed and formulated with the demands of the hospitality industry in mind. They are durable, heat resistant, and customizable to fit the aesthetic and functional needs of any restaurant, hotel, or bar.