So, you’re in the market for new worship seating and don’t know where to start? First, you’ll need to decide whether you want chairs or pews.
While pews have been a solid seating option for churches for many years, stackable church chairs offer several advantages.
Consider the following:
- Pew cost can be double or triple the cost of stackable chairs.
- Chairs are great for multipurpose use, church, events, group activities, etc.
- People in pews take up more space in chairs, as they tend to be more spread out.
- Chairs offer the opportunity to grow and move around.
- Repairs for chairs are cheaper and easier than pews.
- Stackable chairs are more comfortable and have ergonomics to keep your members comfortable.
Your next step will be evaluating suppliers. You need to consider that you can save money and buy direct from a manufacturer over a dealer.
Here are some questions to ask potential vendors:
- Where are your chairs built?
- Are your chairs certified BIFMA standard tested?
- Do you have the right fabric to provide durability?
- Do your chairs have a moisture barrier to protect your foam?
- How long does it take to receive chairs?
- Do your chairs come with a warranty and what does the warranty cover?
- Can I get the same chair later for reorders? (This is important especially if you are expanding your church or planning to purchase the same chair in the future.)
Seeing is believing. Be sure to get a sample chair. Test the chair for yourself and see how well the chair is built.
Save Big When You Buy in Bulk
Look to buy in bulk if you know you will be needing more chairs. Companies will be able to get
you lower pricing if you do so. Placing big orders can save you a lot of money.
Don’t Forget Chair Dollies
When purchasing church chairs, keep in mind that you will need to move them around, especially if you have a multipurpose room and for unloading chairs. You will need to have chair dollies to be able to easily unload and move the stackable chairs around and or if you move them to and from storage.
Frame Finish
Select durable frame finishes and colors. Make sure the chairs you’re purchasing have frames coated with “powder-coating.” Powder-coating results in a thick, dense finish on metal products, which can be more durable and longer lasting than conventional painting.
Pick powder-coated finishes that do not show scuffing or scratches. While you can get powder-coating in many solid colors, “vein” and “river” finishes combine colors randomly into textured finishes that are a more durable and show less wear over time.
Fabric
Getting the right fabric is important; insist on fabric that is rated Heavy-Duty Contract Grade with testing beyond 80,000 double rubs. This will insure your fabric last as long as your chairs last.
Have an idea of what fabric color combinations you would like for you chairs to complement your congregation. Church chair dealers often have a sizable selection of chairs in colors and patterns in stock; church chair manufacturers provide large selections of fabrics that are long-lasting and purchased from reputable fabric mills. These manufacturers will often customize your chairs to fit your design needs.
If for some reason you have a specific fabric you like that the company does not offer,
ask them if they can build it with your fabric chair. A custom chair building company/manufacturer will usually work with you to use your fabric, so don’t be afraid to ask.
Moisture Barrier/Warranty to Protect Your Investment
You are investing a lot of money into your church, and you will want to protect your investment.
Be sure the company has a warranty of 5-10 years to protect you from any defects the product
may have. Also, a moisture barrier will protect your seat from water, coffee or any other fluid from getting into your seat cushions and creating damage and odd smells.
Growing Congregations Ask About Reorders
If your congregation is growing, there is a good chance that you will need to order more chairs to
help your congregation grow. Be sure to ask if the company you buy from can do reorders of the
same chair with fabric frame finish and same chair model to match your current chair. This will save you a considerable amount of money of not having to buy all new chairs again.
Following these guidelines will ensure that you end up with seating that’s well-suited to your particular church and congregation.
This article is courtesy of Kingdom Chairs, www.kingdomchairs.com. At Kingdom Chairs, they understand the challenges you face as a church leader. As a fourth-generation furniture manufacturer, they are pleased to offer you factory direct pricing on your custom-built chairs.
