Everything About Chair Materials

"What's in a chair? What we call a chair, an office chair... and many other names, would be just as comfortable."

Even if Shakespeare may not have frequented the modern world, he would certainly have a lot to say about the properties of chairs. Used in every home, restaurant, every workstation, school, conference room, and many more!

1) Chair Upholstery

The right upholstery defines the feel, appearance, and longevity of your chair from the outside in. Consider how often you'll need to clean the chair, how rigorously it will be used, and your decor choices to select the ideal upholstery.

A. Fabric

It's found everywhere in life, but the fabric of your chair, or office chair, is not quite like the textile of your clothes. Commercial-grade fabric is an excellent choice for many work environments, and even residential-style seating features a more durable weave, designed to withstand long hours of sitting.

Look for ANSI/BIFMA rated seating, which ensures it has been tested to withstand a trial that mechanically determines the chair's suitability over a long period.

B. Polyurethane

Also known as faux leather, or leatherette, today's polyurethane has come a long way. Unlike the poly of yesteryear, we've found ways to mimic leather in a way that replicates the texture, look, and luxurious qualities at a fraction of the price.

These chairs are easy to maintain and can be cleaned with simple cleaning solvents, such as water with a touch of dish soap.

C. Vinyl

When it comes to office chairs, vinyl is not necessarily the most popular choice. While common in waiting rooms and healthcare facilities, vinyl upholstery is reserved for seating that requires rigorous cleaning at regular intervals.

If you are looking for an office chair for a medical practice or laboratory, you should try to find vinyl-upholstered pieces that can be thoroughly cleaned with strong solvents.

Some chairs designed for 24/7 use are made of vinyl, as they are very durable and suitable for shift work.

D. Leather

Even if the varieties of leather are not all on the same level, most are significantly more luxurious than others.

If properly maintained, it will not deteriorate after years of use. Using a leather care product and appropriate cleaning products will keep it looking good.

Fun fact! Most of these chairs are made of leather on all "touchable" areas, such as the seat, backrest, and armrests, but they feature a perfectly coordinated polyurethane backrest (don't let that deter you, it simply helps keep the price reasonable).

E. Mesh Office Chair

Mesh offers comfortable and breathable support that other materials cannot match. With a grid-like pattern, air circulation is encouraged even when the user is seated.

This feature is ideal for people who often get too hot in a fabric or leather armchair.

Sometimes mesh is used as an outer covering on a fabric seat or backrest, but it is often similar in style and effectiveness to a fabric chair.

2) Chair Support

Not all support materials are created equal. Depending on your needs, price, and personal preferences, choosing the right upholstery will ensure you are comfortable in your office chair or chair for many years.

A. Manufactured Foam

Manufactured foam, also called cut foam or slab foam, is one of the most common seat support materials used by furniture manufacturers.

It is often used in upholstered office chairs. The density of the foam can vary; the denser a piece of foam is, the firmer and more durable it is. However, too much firmness can be uncomfortable.

To remedy this, many furniture manufacturers add layers of foam to the chair seat. The layers have different densities, with the lighter, less dense foam pieces towards the top to create a cushioning sensation when the user sits down.

Office chairs that only include manufactured foam layers are often a very economical choice for those looking for a new office chair.

B. Memory Foam

Memory foam has a unique and distinctive chemical composition that allows the seat to adapt to your body temperature.

Therefore, seats retain more heat than others and also conform to the user's shape as they move. With such a design, memory foam seats maintain the spine in a constant neutral position for desirable comfort.

Memory foam seats are renowned for their superior comfort and "hugging" effect. These seats are also hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, which is an additional benefit of their design.  

C. Molded Foam

Molded foam lives up to its name, as its production process involves a real mold. The process consists of pouring liquid foam into a mold, then baking it to harden it.

Molded foam seats provide more consistent support and are able to retain their shape longer than manufactured foam. These seats can also allow for a comfortably contoured and visually appealing seat.

Another distinct advantage of molded foam is that a wide variety of firmness can be achieved. It all depends on how the foam is produced.

D. Mesh Chairs

This is not just an upholstery choice! With traditional office chairs, such as leather seats or other coverings, the user can sometimes feel uncomfortably hot in the seat or backrest.

As there is a lack of ventilation, hot air is trapped. Mesh chairs solve this problem by providing a ventilation system. Thanks to the mesh seat material, the temperature is regulated, allowing air to circulate and keeping the user cool and comfortable.

Leather and fabric chairs without a ventilation system can also retain unpleasant odors. With a mesh design, unpleasant odors are less likely to cling to the material.

E. Pocket Spring System

Seats with a pocket spring system offer superior comfort. Coil springs help distribute weight evenly and are more durable than most foam options.

The seats include a multi-layer foam design in addition to the pocket springs located in the seat part. The foam layers also capture all the benefits of each type of foam and ensure comfort when seated.

The top layer of foam is less dense, creating a pleasant cushioning sensation when the user first sits down. The other layers of foam are denser and better withstand constant use.

3) The Bases of a Chair

Every chair deserves a solid base. The chair base will determine its brute strength and often define the limits of a Big and Tall chair versus a standard size chair.

Some of these decisions may be aesthetic while others are strained, but the appropriate choice can truly make - or break - an office chair from a kitchen chair or other.

A. Nylon

Common in economical chairs, a nylon base does not mean it is not a strong or durable chair.

Nylon can be easily formed and shaped into the typical five-star base of most office chairs, offering a wide variety of colors and textures to accentuate any design element.

B. Metal

Metal Although the term sounds a bit ambiguous, bases that are not made of steel are usually an alloy that should go by another name.

This gives a more upscale look to most chairs and allows for attractive powder coating or chrome plating to accentuate design sensibilities.

C. Steel

Sometimes you have to go big or go home. Steel bases are designed to support heavy weights or for 24/7 use by shift workers, thanks to their significantly higher tensile strength and longevity.

Most Big and Tall chairs are equipped with a metal or steel base to ensure their resistance to the daily use of large chairs.

D. Casters for Hard Floor or Carpet

It's not very difficult to tell the difference between these two types of casters. Although many casters are made to work on either surface, defined caster styles should be matched to the floor environment.

Smooth floors, such as wood, laminate, or tile, will be better suited for hard casters that may have a bit more tension without the increased force needed to move on carpet.

If you have a carpeted surface but hard casters, opt for a chair mat that can facilitate movement a bit. Carpet casters are larger, stronger, and more suitable for low- or medium-pile carpets. Regardless of the casters, high-pile carpets are not very easy to handle and should be paired with a chair mat.

Summary:

I know, I know! There are so many details, criteria, and features to consider!

But in the end, will we take into account all the details when choosing our chair? I don't think so, but if I can offer my advice, I would still prioritize 2-3 criteria.

Don't forget to also consider the color, depending on your interior and what you are looking for in terms of decoration.

Once you have found the chair(s), you can also protect them or give them a new style with chair covers. Chairs with a Scandinavian design, stretchable, or even for office chairs,...