The office chair is among the most overworked pieces of furniture in the typical office. Imagine this: it spends office hours (and, sometimes, after hours) propping up the worker’s back and bottom and swivelling when prompted. Also, repeated use introduces signs of wear and tear on the upholstery, as seen in the image above.
There’s no doubt that you’ll need to swap out your old office chair for a mint one at some point. The question is when you need to do so. Fortunately, the signs are apparent.
Sinking Office Chair
As explained in our previous posts, height adjustability is a crucial feature for ergonomic office chairs in Melbourne. The proper height allows for ergonomic seating, from supporting the lumbar or lower back area to ensuring the feet are flat on the floor.
Height-adjustable chairs feature a pneumatic cylinder (also known as a gas lift) to change the seat height. A lever on the underside works the mechanism, compressing or releasing the gas and allowing the seat to go up or down. The compressive force is enough to support the user’s body weight when the chair is at the maximum height setting.
However, the parts inside the gas chamber can be worn down over time. This is evident if the chair at max height sinks when the user sits, either instantly or gradually. In this case, the problem is attributed to a worn-down seal that regulates the pressure.
Sinking chairs can be repaired, whether through band-aid fixes or replacing the gas lift entirely. While these solutions are fine for home use, servicing dozens of office chairs might be more trouble than it’s worth. Replacement is also a better option if you’re planning a major fit-out.
Loss of Seat Cushion
Office chair cushions typically consist of foam, of which over a dozen types exist. The types ideal for seating applications include polyurethane, memory foam and high-density foam. The choice of foam over other materials comes down to the following properties:
- Low density: With the exception of high-density foam, the material’s low density is responsible for making comfortable seating possible.
- Low heat conductivity: Foam is a poor conductor of heat due to its tendency to trap gases that slow down heat transfer.
- Form resilience: After being subjected to pressure, foam slowly but almost returns to its original shape upon release (more evident in a memory foam seat).
Form resilience: After being subjected to pressure, foam slowly but almost returns to its original shape upon release (more evident in a memory foam seat).
Emphasis on the word “almost” because foam loses its form resilience each time pressure is applied (i.e., sitting down). The rate of loss is shown as a metric called compression set. For example, foam with a 2% compression set means its rebound height is reduced by that rate. The process is slow but inevitable.
No need to crunch some numbers, as you’ll eventually notice your chair losing its cushion. One sign is that sitting on it feels like it can no longer support proper posture, if not resulting in lower back or neck pain. Another is that the seat or backrest feels rigid.
Replacing the foam seat cushion is possible but impractical, as it entails cutting the fabric open and stitching it close. Some opt for an external cushion placed on top of the seat, but the added height may conflict with the chair’s ergonomic design. By the time the cushion is flat as a board, better-quality office chairs with more ergonomic features will be available to replace the old ones.
Over Ten Years Old
Depending on whom you ask, ergonomic chairs have a life expectancy of up to 15 years when used and cared for properly. You’d be lucky to have one that managed to last that long – even 10 years is more than enough to get your money’s worth.
It’s possible for office chairs to not suffer from the problems we’ve discussed so far over their service life. Still, replacing them past the 10-year mark is still a good idea – if not for the risk of hidden problems, then for the purposes of aesthetics.
While one can argue that a perfectly functional chair needs no replacement, office chairs contribute to the overall look of the workplace. An office that frequently receives visitors should know that first impressions matter and regular employees’ chairs tend to be within an eyeshot. Who knows what visitors might think if they see chairs that seem out of place?
On top of that, there’s the risk of missing out on new features. Office chairs have come a long way from their Victorian beginnings (which were made from cast iron with luxurious velvet upholstery), and there’s reason to look forward to the office chairs of the next few decades. Given the pace of technological advancements, we may not have to wait long.
Conclusion
Ergonomic office chairs that show these signs may need to be replaced as soon as budget allows. Nothing boosts staff morale more than working while sitting on a mint comfortable office chair with advanced key features.