Wooden Medical Exam Tables: Pros and Cons

Wood medical exam tables have been used by medical professionals for centuries. Before stainless steel and power exam tables were commonplace, it was wood that professionals relied on to help treat patients.

Today, wooden medical exam tables have come a long way from the basic design. That’s why many medical exam table manufacturers still offer high-quality, heavy-duty wooden medical exam tables. Read on to learn more about the pros and cons of treatment tables made from these materials.

Pros of Wooden Medical Exam Tables

First things first, let’s start with some of the benefits of using wood treatment tables in your exam room.

Affordability

Medical equipment is expensive in general. However, wood medical exam tables are often a more affordable option when compared to stainless steel hydraulic medical exam tables or other equipment.

That’s because these tables are made with materials like plywood and laminate that are more affordable. If you’re looking to equip your exam room with medical-grade equipment on a budget, wooden medical exam tables are the perfect choice.

Flexibility

If you’re constantly moving around your medical equipment, you need an exam table that is lightweight. A bariatric exam table for medical offices with a steel base is no doubt difficult to move and position. A wood medical exam table, on the other hand, is generally lighter and easier to move.

Whether your office is tight on space or needs a portable table, wood is a great option. The wooden medical exam tables of the 21st century aren’t bulky or heavy because they use durable yet light materials like plywood in addition to laminate and more.

Customization

Finally, we can’t overlook the customization options for wood. While metal has a sleek look, it can also appear sterile and there is no way to choose different colors. Wood, on the other hand, can be personalized to fit your office decor.

Along with choosing an upholstery color, you can also pick a base color for the wood. This is a great way to create a welcoming and aesthetically pleasing exam room. Additionally, you can also add other tools to improve patient comfort. From stirrups and height adjustable backrests, these can all be included with a wood exam table.

Cons of Wooden Medical Exam Tables

Like with any material, there are also some drawbacks to wooden treatment tables. Here are a handful of them to consider before making a purchase.

Moisture

Plywood is what’s used for many wood exam tables today, because it is widely available and affordable. However, plywood is susceptible to moisture and humidity levels in the air. Because plywood is made up of various layers of wood, each layer can absorb moisture through direct contact or humidity in the air. When wood absorbs moisture over time, it can expand and shrink when it dries.

Too much expansion and contraction over time can cause the table to warp or, in extreme cases, crack.

Cleaning

Infection control is incredibly important to health care professionals. Everything from equipment to examination couches and tables must be properly disinfected to help provide the best quality of patient care.

In terms of materials, wood can be the most difficult to clean. That's because it’s a porous surface and you must also be cautious not to douse it in too much liquid cleaner that would warp the wood.

Durability

When it comes to durability, wood exam tables don’t always top the list. While they are still extremely durable, they don’t have the high weight capacity that, for example, a stainless steel bariatric treatment table has.

If you need an extremely durable exam table for your practice, opt for equipment with steel frames and more that can withstand more wear and tear and last longer overall.

Find Wood Medical Exam Tables

If you’re looking for a wooden medical exam table for your practice, ExamTablesDirect can help. We offer a wide variety of height adjustable treatment tables made of wood. This includes the every-popular Clinton 8890.

The Clinton 8890 Family Practice Exam Table w/Patient Step offers the best in comfort, economy, overall functional and storage. Made with plywood and laminate panels, it’s easy to care for and the top sections are replaceable. It comes with an adjustable pneumatic backrest and pull out leg rests for easy patient positioning.

Shop our full selection of manual exam tables from ExamTablesDirect today. Or, check out our blog to learn more about the pros and cons of different treatment tables along with more advice on what to do with old wooden medical exam tables and more.