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1. Establish a brief and stick to it.
Ask yourself: What do you want your chairs to do?
Comfort: Few suppliers will sell you a chair that is "uncomfortable", so ask your supplier what actually makes their chairs comfortable. Ergonomically shaped seats and backs provide the best comfort over a long period. Beware of thick upholstery; it may appear attractive but is often of a very cheap grade that is prone to premature degradation. Thin, dense foams offer greater comfort over time, and will last far longer.
Storage: If you have limited storage space, folding or stacking chairs provide a practical solution. Should you have room for stacking chairs, these are usually more comfortable and durable. Of all the folding chairs available, there are only about five models that provide real quality; look out for brand names like Virco and Samsonite. For large installations, storage should be a key consideration. Your chairs should last a minimum of 20 years; if you need to store them at any time, it will be much easier if they stack- the higher the better.
Durability: Take heed; a five year guarantee may suggest that your chairs will last, however, 5 years is not very long at all. Few suppliers will offer you a longer guarantee - but if you consider a 5 year guarantee as a "get out clause", the supplier can wash their hands of you once that period of time has passed. A genuine quality product will last a minimum of 20 years under normal usage, and a genuine supplier will be amazed if the product fails within 5 years. Should this happen any decent supplier would remedy the situation, satisfactorily.
Budget: Most organisations can get a chair that meets most of their brief, within budget. However, you may need to compromise. Often, the hardest compromise is timber frames. However, it is important that your chairs last, so don't buy seemingly very cheap products.
2. Know your stuff.
Wooden Chairs:
Most timber frames are of Beech, Birch, Ash or Oak.
Construction:
Best = No nails or screws, glued joints (mortice & tenon, among others).
Acceptable = Mortice & Tenon joints with screws.
Lower quality = Dowel fixing.
Metal frame chairs:
Best = 2mm Steel (14Gg). Extremely strong, though heavy.
Lightweight best = Aluminium with oven baked, lacquer finish.
Above average = HTS, High Tensile Steel. Very strong & lightweight.
Acceptable = 1.5mm Steel (16Gg), strong, mid-weight.
Lower quality = 1mm (18Gg). Weak, lightweight.
Upholstery:
Whichever fabric you choose, your local fire officer should be able to advise the grade required. Usually, Low Hazard Cigarette & Match is acceptable.
Most organisations do not need to spend extra money on increased flame protection or Stainguard. Stainguard is not a cure all; if your chairs are likely to suffer spillages e.g. coffee, then the best solution is a man-made fabric.
Fabrics are subjected to many recognised tests; yours should be rated at "FIRA Severe Contract Use" in order to ensure durability and optimum quality.
3. Think beyond immediate comfort.
It is very easy to choose a chair based simply on comfort during initial testing. Do not lose sght of your brief! Ask yourself: Does this chair do what I really want it to do? Remember a quality set of chairs should last you at lest 20 years. Think before you buy.
When you do carry out comfort tests, consider how long the product will be sat on during normal usage. Is a thirty second test a fair appraisal? There is only one way to know if a chair is comfortable after one or two hours, and that is to sit on it for that period of time.
Kirkhouse Productions have over 30 years experience in the contract furniture market. Further information is available online at http://www.kirkhouse.co.uk
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