Concrete Outdoor Dining Tables: The Honest Buyer's and Care Guide
Should you buy a concrete outdoor dining table?
If you want a table that reads as solid, architectural and permanent, does not fade, does not need oiling and stays cool to the touch under a roof, yes. Concrete tables ask two things of their owners: put them in the right place once, and wipe up acids the same evening.
What is a concrete outdoor table actually made of?
"Concrete" covers three quite different constructions.
| Construction | Typical weight, 230cm table | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Solid cast concrete | 300-450kg | Needs a crane for a balcony |
| GFRC | 120-200kg | Chips at edges expose the fibre |
| Microcement over a lightweight core | 90-110kg | Hand-finished, tonal variation is part of it |
Our Byron tables are the third kind. The top is microcement, hand-screeded over a lightweight core, then double-sealed for UV and stain resistance. The 230cm pebble table weighs about 100kg, which two people can carry.
Do concrete outdoor tables crack?
Solid cast tables can, if the slab is thin or poorly reinforced. Microcement and GFRC tops do not crack in that sense. What they can develop is hairline surface lines as the coating moves with temperature, especially in the first year. These sit in the coating rather than the structure, do not grow into cracks, and do not let water in while the sealer is intact. This is a normal material characteristic, in the same way that fine checks in the end grain of a teak leg are part of teak.
Do concrete tables stain?
Sealed microcement resists water, coffee, food and most of what a long lunch produces. Red wine, citrus and oil can etch a mark into the sealer if left overnight. Wiped the same evening, nothing happens. A trivet under anything hot, a board under anything you are cutting.
Does a concrete table get hot in the sun?
Concrete stores heat more slowly than metal and releases it more slowly. The lighter Byron colour, Limestone, stays noticeably cooler than Putty in direct sun. Under a roof neither is an issue.
How do I care for a concrete outdoor table?
Wipe spills when you see them, especially wine, citrus and oil.
Clean with pH-neutral soap and water. No vinegar, citrus cleaners, bleach or abrasives.
Trivets under hot dishes, boards under knives.
Wipe pooled water off after storms.
Breathable covers only.
Reseal every year with our Stone Protector Kit, applied to a clean, dry surface.
How heavy is a concrete outdoor table, and can my deck take it?
| Table | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Pebble 160cm | 160x150x76cm | 87.1kg |
| Pebble 230cm | 230x152x76cm | 100.1kg |
| Pebble 252cm | 252x166x76cm | 115kg |
| Pebble 280cm | 280x130x76cm | 120.5kg |
| Rectangular 275cm | 275x110x76cm | 130kg |
| Coffee Table 105cm | 105x100x37cm | 30.4kg |
| Coffee Table 120cm | 120x114x35cm | 56.2kg |
| Side Table | 53x50x48cm | 11.4kg |
Spread over a table's footprint, that is a lighter load than four adults standing in the same spot. Moving one: lift with two people, hands under the top near the base, never drag it.
Which size concrete table seats eight?
The Pebble 252cm seats eight, the Pebble 280cm seats eight generously, and the Rectangular 275cm seats eight to ten. The 230cm is the size we recommend for a household that eats outside most of the year. Our dining table size guide has the clearances to check before you commit to any of them.
Which chairs go with a concrete table?
Anything with warmth and texture against the mineral surface: the Mollymook dining armchairs in ECOLENE® synthetic wicker, the Eden and Shelley chairs in aged teak and camel rope, and the Capri dining chairs in Dove Grey rope.
What Sissonne Outdoor uses
The Byron range: five dining tables, two coffee tables and a side table, all hand-screeded microcement over a lightweight core, double-sealed, in Putty or Limestone. Every table carries a 24-month manufacturer's warranty for domestic use, excluding fair wear and tear; commercial use is assessed case-by-case. The Stone Protector Kit covers annual resealing. Both finishes are on display at Hawthorn and Southport.
FAQ
Are concrete outdoor tables a good idea in Australia? Yes, if the construction is microcement or GFRC over a core and the surface is sealed. They do not fade, warp or need oiling.
How do you seal a concrete outdoor table? Clean with pH-neutral soap, let it dry fully, and apply the Stone Protector Kit evenly, working in sections. Reseal every year.
How much does a concrete outdoor dining table weigh? A microcement top over a lightweight core, like our Byron 230, weighs about 100kg and can be carried by two people.
Does a concrete table stain from red wine? Left overnight, it can etch the sealer. Wiped the same evening, no.
