There is a huge variety of office seating available.  We’ve got application and budget-specific seating including task, multi-task, ergonomic, 24-hour, meeting room and executive seating. Our selection also extends into specialty industrial applications such as heavy-duty construction with electrostatic dissipation, clean room and anti-microbial fabrics. 

But where do you begin? There are literally millions and millions of combinations.  Don’t buy a chair like you may buy a pair of shoes or a dress.  You’re not going to wear it for just a few hours at a time.  Most people sit in their chair for 5-7 hours a day.  For 250 days a year!  Not only is a proper fitting chair an investment in comfort, it’s an investment in your health and your productivity and effectiveness as well.

Consider all of the following when making your next chair purchase.  And absolutely speak to someone knowledgeable like one of our furniture experts.

The Price
Price is important but consider long term value.  How long with it last?  It’s the old price quality paradigm.  The better the quality, typically the more the price.  If you’re going to use the chair infrequently then it maybe a less expensive chair is suitable.  If it’s a chair you’re going to sit at for most of the day then it’s probably not a good idea to skimp on the price.

Are there any other additional costs for delivery, set up or installation?  And don’t under estimate the time it take to assemble a chair.  A lot of chairs are coming from China now and the smaller they are packed the more they can fit in a container.  The result is even more and smaller parts requiring more time to assemble.  Lastly do you have someone that can assemble it for you?  And do it right?  In our opinion, this is something better left to experts like our furniture installation team.  All our chairs come pre-assembled and ready to use at no additional cost to you.

The Chair Mechanism
One of the most expensive parts of a chair is it’s mechanism.  Unfortunately, it’s also one of most confusing parts as well.  The mechanism is the part the connects the vertical pneumatic cyclinder to the base or seat pane of the chair.  The mechanism is what controls how the tilts, if at all, and the relationship between the seat pane and the back rest.  It also controls whether the seat pane can shift or slide horizontally creating a shorter or deeper seat.  Following are some common terms:

Task / steno	Typically this is the least expensive mechanism. The back angle is adjustable but it doesn’t tilt (the seat pane always remains horizontal)
Function tilter	The chair will tilt or you can lock it in so it doesn’t tilt.
Multi-tilter	This is by far the most common mechanism. This mechanism allows the chair to tilt, will lock at any angle and the seat back angle is adjustable.
Knee-tilter	This has all the features of the Multi-tilter except the point of tilt is from the front edge of the seat pane rather than from the centre.
Synchro-Tilter	This mechanism is the same as the Multi-tilter above, except that as you tilt back the seat back angle expands at a 2 to 1 ratio.
Synchro Knee Tilter	The ultimate of mechanisms, the Synchro-titler combines the front edge pivot point of the Knee-tilter with the 2 to 1 ratio of a Synchro-tilter.

Cushions or Foam Construction
Next to the overall fit of a chair, the foam is the next most important component in terms of overall comfort.  The least expensive cushions are made from Slab foam which is exacting as it sounds - a standard square piece of foam that has been cut to the shape of the seat or back.  Very similar to what you’d find in your couch at home.  Over time slab foam will compress and breakdown.  As a result Moulded and High Density Foams were developed to provide longer lasting quality and support. Higher Density Foam basically pack more foam into the same space which effectively increases the life of the cushion. Moulded Foam refers to foam that is moulded to a specific sharp (eg seat back) and also to those seats that have a moulded edge applied around the seat creating a “rubber bumper” to protect the seat edge.  Lastly there is Memory Foam which reacts to the users weight and body heat and moulds to their shape.  Effectively the users weight now is evenly distributed eliminating pressure points.

Arm Rests
Arm rests are a very integral part of the ergonomics of your chair.  If you are using a computer for any length of time we would always suggest arm rests.  Arm rests allow you to rest your elbows and release the pressure on your wrists and shoulders.  If you want to avoid carpal tunnel syndrome make sure you have arms rests and they are positioned correctly. 

Arm rest come in a variety of flavours – height adjustable, pivot-adjustable, depth-adjustable, gel-foam, antibacterial and more.  Contact our experts to determine what’s right for you.

Back Construction
The back is more than just a pretty face.  While the back is the most visible part of a chair and certainly adds to the overall esthetic of any chair, it also delivers a lot in terms of comfort.  Look for a chair back that has a contour shape that fits you snugly and moves with you.  Also ensure it is height adjustable to ensure it fits right.  Some backs come with extra lumbar or lower back support for those that have lower back issues or sciatica.

The Cylinder & Casters
Virtually all chairs are height adjustable from 16 to 20 inches.  But did you know you can order a extra long or short cylinder if you need something outside the norm?  Also, virtually all chairs come equipped with standard dual-wheel plastic casters.  They’re great for most low-pile carpets but what about hard wood, tile or concrete warehouse floors?  Make sure you get the right casters for your office!

3-day Trial
Unsure of what chair will work best in your office? Try our 3-day trial program. We'll deliver the chair directly to you and let you try it out for up to three days. It's absolutely the best way to shop for a new chair because there’s no pressure and never any obligation to purchase. We’re here to help you select a chair that is a proper fit and that will support you throughout your work day.