5 Things to Look Out for When Choosing Church Chairs
By Space Coast Daily // June 22, 2021
Comfortable church chairs make for a happy congregation. While pews may have been the go-to option decades ago, church is a more relaxed atmosphere today. And when you know where to buy church chairs, you’ll find that the costs can be significantly lower than a pew.
In fact, you’ll spend two to three times more on a pew than purchasing stackable church chairs for the same number of people in a congregation.
Not sure what to look for when buying chairs for church?
The following list can help.
What to Look for When Buying the Best Church Chairs
1. Bulk Pricing Opportunities
Bulk pricing saves churches money. You need chairs for all of your members, and if you have a big church, that means you’ll need a lot of chairs. The best way to get bulk pricing is to buy chairs from a company that has it as a policy to offer it.
You can also try to negotiate a discount with the supplier if they don’t have a policy readily available for you to see.
2. Frame Warranty
Frames are the most integral component of your chair. If the frame is not sturdy or breaks, then the chair is useless. If you’re choosing your new chairs, then you should consider the strength, durability, and warranty period of the frame.
If the frame is guaranteed for 5 years, then it’s a good bet that it’s a strong frame.
You’ll also find that some of the high-end suppliers offer a lifetime frame warranty. If the frame lasts for 10+ years, you made a good investment.
Note: Foam and fabric warranties are also important. If one manufacturer offers warranties and the other doesn’t, it’s almost always better to pay slightly more for the warranty.
3. Size Variations
What size chairs are available? You may want to consider the different sizes of people in the church, ages and height of the chairs. Older members may benefit from higher chairs that make it easier to stand up and sit down.
Heavier members may need a chair that can support their weight. Most churches have the custom of elders sitting on the front row. Therefore, you should consider the height of the chairs in relation to the elders.
4. Frame Materials
The frame is a crucial component of your church chairs. If a frame fails, your members can be hurt, and the chair can be damaged beyond repair. If the frame fails, it could also cause a liability issue for your church.
Your church chairs should be made with materials that are sturdy. The best materials for a chair frame are steel, wood, or metal. These materials are typically heavy duty, can hold a lot of weight, and will not break easily.
Frames should be sturdy enough to fit a 250-pound person or more. Manufacturers should be able to tell you the maximum weight limit a frame can hold so that you can judge if it’s right for your members.
5. Fabric
A key advantage church chairs have over pews is that the chairs are made from fabric. Wooden pews are not comfortable, especially during a long service. Chairs, on the other hand, can come with a variety of different fabrics.
You have choices, and this allows you to really customize your church seating.
The type of chair fabric that you choose will depend on the look you want to achieve in your sanctuary. If you are looking for a traditional look, then a velvet upholstered chair will be the way to go. A velvet chair will give your sanctuary a classic look and feel.
If you are looking for a more contemporary look, then you could choose a chair upholstered in leather. Leather chairs are easy to maintain and will give your sanctuary a sleeker look.
Want to save money? A chair that is upholstered in a synthetic fabric is easy to clean and will be less expensive than leather or velvet.
Heavy-duty fabric that has been tested for 80,000+ double rubs is ideal. The longevity testing ensures that the fabric will withstand the usage of a congregation with less concern of replacement or repairs.
Affordable church chairs are a great option for churches of all sizes. Congregation members will be more comfortable, you’ll save money and chairs are easier to replace or repair than a pew.
What do you look for when you buy new church chairs? Share in the comments below.
