Indoor, Outdoor, Or Both? How To Choose The Right Pablo Table Top For Your Space
If you’ve ever bought an outdoor table that looked great in spring and fell apart by winter, you’ll appreciate this one.
Not all table tops are created equal. And the difference between an indoor top and a proper outdoor top isn’t just about looks — it’s about what the thing is actually made of, and whether it can handle what you’re about to throw at it.
Here’s a simple guide to help you pick the right Pablo top for your space.
Indoor Tops – What to Look For
For indoor use, the main things you’re protecting against are scratches, spills, and daily wear and tear.
Commercial melamine tops handle all three well. They’re easy to wipe down, resistant to most surface damage, and they come in a range of finishes — timber looks, solid colours, neutral tones — so they suit pretty much any interior.
If you’re running a busy cafe or restaurant, go for something with a good scratch rating. It’s going to get wiped down 400 times a week and bumped by plates and glasses constantly. A top that looks good on day one but scratches by month two isn’t doing you any favours.
For home use, the same rules apply — you just might have a bit more flexibility on finish and style since the traffic is lower.
Outdoor Tops – A Different Conversation Entirely
Outdoors is a whole different beast. UV exposure, rain, humidity, the occasional bird — your table top needs to handle all of it without fading, warping, or deteriorating.
For outdoor use, look for HPL (high pressure laminate) tops. They’re built specifically for exterior conditions — UV stable, moisture resistant, and tough enough for commercial outdoor dining. They look great too, which is a bonus.
The base matters just as much outdoors. A lightweight base that’s fine indoors can become a hazard in any kind of wind. Pablo’s outdoor bases are weighted and stable — designed to stay put even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
Can I Use An Indoor Top Outside?
Technically yes. Practically, we wouldn’t recommend it.
An indoor top will fade, swell, and generally deteriorate a lot faster outside than it would in a controlled environment. You’ll end up replacing it sooner than you’d like, which costs more in the long run. Just get the right top for the right space from the start.
Not sure which one you need?
That’s what we’re here for. Come into a showroom, have a look at the range in person, and we’ll help you figure out what works for your space — whether it’s a home dining area, a cafe terrace, or a full commercial outdoor fit out.
No fuss. Just give us a call.
