How to Get the Best Stackable Plastic Chairs for Your Money

There are many plastic chairs online that look like they’d work well in church and community assembly rooms. But not all plastic school chairs are made the same. Some are cheaply built and may collapse during use, while others support more weight and are much more durable. Some plastic chairs are quite comfortable, while others are just plain miserable to sit in.

Here’s what to compare when shopping for plastic stacking chairs.

• Price
• Frame strength
• Ventilation
• Conforto
• Stacking density
• Minimum order quantity
• Cart compatibility
• Chair weight

A Word About the Price of Stacking Chairs

Despite the differences in quality, most plastic stacking chairs all cost relatively the same amount. Most commercial plastic stacking chairs sell for $45 to $55 each. What this means is that flimsy, knock-off chairs are often sold for the same price as quality-built chairs. If you don’t know what to look for, it’s easy to end up with flimsy chairs that break easily even though you’ve spent the same amount as you would have on high-quality chairs.

Some higher-end plastic stacking chairs offer added features that raise the price. Stackable plastic chairs can sell for $90 or more if they have built-in bookracks, come in custom colors, or offer other bonus features.

If you’re shopping for plastic chairs, it pays to do a bit of research so you will get chairs that last. In this article, you’ll find out what to look for in a plastic chair that will be used in a church, community center, Sunday school, school assembly, or other public place.

Frame Strength

	Bertolini Super Stacker Chair	Standard Plastic School Chair
Price	$44-$46	$96-$106
Chair Peso	8.9 lbs. (4 kg)	15-25 lbs. (6-11 kg)
Strength	Supports 850 lbs. (385.5 kg)	150 to 250 pounds (68 to 113 kg)
Conforto	Medium	Low
Ventilation	Yes. It has full seat & back ventilation (perforated holes in plastic for breathability) to your audience cool and comfortable.	No. The lack of ventilation can trap body heat and make your audience feel hot, sticky, and sweaty.
Seat Flexibility	Yes. The seat flexes slightly to conform to the body for comfort.	No. Hard plastic school chairs will not flex or bend, leading to sore backs and bottoms.

Frame Strength

Most plastic stacking chairs that are used in churches have metal frames. Generally, the frames are made of hollow steel tubing, but not all frames are built with the same quality of steel, so they are not all equally strong. The frame strength affects how much weight they support and the stability of stacks of chairs.

So, how much weight can plastic chairs hold safely?

• Standard plastic stacking chairs will support 150 to 250 pounds (68 to 113 kg).
• Bertolini Super Stacker Chair 850 lbs. (385.5 kg)

Ventilation

Plastic church chairs can get hot and uncomfortable. The molded plastic surfaces of a chair absorb heat and trap it against the body, unlike a fabric chair or wooden chair that allows airflow. Standard plastic chairs don’t have ventilation. If there isn’t airflow, body heat will get trapped, and the body will become overheated. The room temperature in a classroom or multi-purpose area will often rise when people are seated in large crowds. Humidity, high temperatures, and other conditions can make this effect even worse. This is why chairs with ventilation are more comfortable than unventilated chairs.

Portability & Storage Considerations

One of the most practical things about stacking chairs is that you can move them around easily. You can stack plastic chairs in a cart, roll them into a closet when they aren’t needed, and roll them back out for a big event. Stacking chairs are ideal for multi-purpose areas and for backup extra seating. However, the heavier and more cumbersome it is to move your chairs around, the harder room changes will become. That’s why we recommend that you compare stack density, chair weight, and cart compatibility before purchasing.

In general, the lighter a stacking chair is, the easier it is to pick it up and move it around. The only caution is that if chairs are too light (under 5 lbs.), they can be flimsy, break easily, and get knocked over easily. Bertolini Super Stacker Chairs weigh just 8.9 pounds (4 kg) each, giving them the perfect balance between sturdiness and being lightweight enough to stack and store easily. When used with the Super Stacker Cart, these chairs stack 25 high, with an extremely tight stacking density.

Did you know? You can get a free cart with the purchase of 25 Super Stacker Chairs!

Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Stackable Plastic Chairs

What are the least expensive church chairs: wood, fabric, or plastic?

If you need inexpensive chairs for occasional use, plastic chairs are the most economical. Molded plastic is an inexpensive material; it is smooth, durable, and snag-free when manufactured correctly.

What’s the best way to provide seating for big crowds?

When you anticipate extra visitors at your church, use high-density stacking chairs for extra seating, like Bertolini Super Stacker Chairs. Super Stackers are comfortable and well-ventilated and stack up to 25 high for efficient storage. Even better, Super Stacker Chairs come with a free cart with every 25 chairs purchased.

How do Super Stacker Chairs compare with metal folding chairs?

Metal folding chairs are the most uncomfortable seating option for overflow areas. We recommend Super Stacker Chairs over metal chairs because they’re the same price but are much more comfortable. Super Stackers are also faster to set up, and they come with a cart.

Can I use home furniture in a church?

No, residential furniture isn’t durable enough to be used in a church. If you try to use residential furniture in a public area like a church, you can have liability issues if the furniture collapses under someone. With residential furniture, weight limits aren’t high enough, chair frames aren’t sturdy enough, and fabrics aren’t suitable for use in a public area. In fact, product warranties for residential furniture will be nullified if the product is used in a non-residential or commercial setting.

If I’m looking for a plastic chair that’s stackable, how much should I expect to pay?

Commercial plastic stacking chairs cost $45 and up, with some priced at over $100 each. Bertolini Super Stacker Chairs are extremely affordable ($44 to $46 each, with a volume discount applied to larger orders).