Would you agree that having a fantastic ergonomic office chair makes Monday mornings even more exciting? Yes, we do! We spend up to 17,000 long hours sitting in our office chairs in front of our computer desk.
Office chairs used to be a luxury, but as time went on, their advantages made them more of a need. Additionally, there has been a marked rise in the need for them, particularly in light of the widespread use of remote work.
Office chairs are perhaps among the most undervalued items of furniture in households and offices.
Yes, we use them for approximately 10 hours each day, but do we truly value them?
Did you realize that developing and manufacturing a single office chair requires a lot of labor-intensive time? Ever pondered the process of creation?
We sit on them every day, but few have taken the time to find out how they’re made. What goes where? Constructing the parts of an office chair.
You may certainly credit your comfortable office chair for the many hours you’ve spent working while experiencing just minor physical pains.
This blog post will explore how office chairs are made and what factors go into creating a comfortable and supportive seat. We’ll also take a look at some of the most popular materials used in office chair construction.
How Are Office Chairs Manufactured?
Over the years modern office chair use has increasingly become necessary and less of a luxury due to the value they provide.
They are becoming more popular with more people being forced into jobs at home. Desk chairs are among the least regarded items in any home.
Making the chair’s base and back, which together make up its framework, comes first. The upholstery for the backrest and seat is made in the next stage.
After that, the cylinder and the caster are installed, and finally the mechanism for the seat’s height and tilt adjustments. It’s time for assembly.
But first, let’s briefly go through the history of office chairs before we explore how they are constructed.
Related: Best Office Chairs for Neck Pain
History of an Office Chair
When most people think of office chairs, they think of the boring, standard black chair that is found in almost every office. But what many people don’t know is that office chairs have a long and interesting history, dating back to the late 1800s.
The swivel office chair is believed to be the chair on which Thomas Jefferson (invented the modern swivel office chair) drafted the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776. Decades later, Charles Darwin added small wheels called “casters” to his chair to move it around while working on the theory of evolution.
Office chairs have come a long way since the days of nailed-down, wood plank seats. The modern office chair is a marvel of ergonomic office chair design, capable of supporting the spine and promoting good posture.
Early office chairs were little more than straight-backed wooden benches. Not exactly comfortable, but they got the job done. Around the turn of the century, office chairs began to evolve, with the introduction of features like cushioned seats and adjustable heights.
By the mid-1900s, office chairs had become much more comfortable, and they continue to evolve today. Office chairs are now more comfortable and supportive than ever before.
Modern chairs include swivel office chair, task chair, executive chairs like Herman Miller and many other chairs.
Related: Best Office Chairs Under $300
How Are Office Chairs Made In Mass Production?
It seems like modern office seating models were made entirely from machines. But this doesn’t happen since the products are manufactured by workers more than factories produce.
Building a chair requires numerous employees each carrying out a particular manufacturing process. They make a puzzle piece that is very unique and it can be a big help for office workers.
Building The Structure Of Office Chair
If you are wondering how the structure of an office chair is built, here are 5 steps to building the structure of an office chair.
First, a worker designs the framework of the office chair to start the procedure.
Step 2 is where the bottom cushion frame structure is created by hydraulically bending 14-gauge steel tube. They then weld steel bars that will support the seat adjustment mechanism after joining the ends.
After that, sinuous springs are attached to the steel frame front. Similar to a coiled seat, the S-shaped springs provide a flexible web of suspension.
Step 4 is where the worker also places rods for lateral support and attaches them to the springs.
Lastly, as the frame is finished, a different worker starts constructing the back frame, which may contain the lumbar support, armrests, and other components depending on the reliable office chair design.
They first assemble the bottom and rear frames before grinding the steel’s rough places.
Related: Best Office Chairs for Back Pain
Creation of Upholstery
For the creation of upholstery, 10 procedures are being done.
- The leather of a table is first polished by an employee of the upholstery division.
- Then, they cut designs using cardboard templates.
- To reduce wastage, the technician cuts the leather precisely to the required size for one chair. To ensure that the chair’s upholstery has a uniform colour and texture, they take care to cut the leather from the same huge piece of skin.
- Another employee gathers the leather templates and cuts the seat cushions for the chair’s backrest. For the contoured cushioning, they will choose a more stiff foam, and for the backrest, a softer one.
- The employee will cut slits into the foam to create channels or narrow canals that will become a design feature depending on the backrest’s design.
- Using chalk, they will trace lines to the correct leather.
- The other worker knits the back to the leather while puckering the leather to create a ribbed pattern. They do this by aligning chalk lines in the leather with the slits.
- After that, the flat padding is stitched to additional design components, such as the side panels for the seat and backrest.
- Other workers will add a chipboard panel to encapsulate the office chair’s frame in foam when the leather-covered paddings are finished.
- Lastly, after procedure 9, they add upholstery to it.
Office Chair Assembly
The final phase is assembling when the upholstery is finished. Assembling the office chair requires 7 steps.
- A worker installs a cover on the bottom of the seat and screws a sliding plate to it.
- The seat will thereafter be able to glide forward or back thanks to a mechanism that will be attached and function with the plate.
- The seat’s tilt and height may both be adjusted using this device.
- The hydraulic cylinder, which will act as the chair’s stem, will then be installed by the worker.
- The chair can now rotate to 360 degrees when the swivel has been installed.
- The worker will then fasten an aluminum base to the cylinder before snapping the casters or tiny wheels into the slots. Typically, an office chair has 5 casters.
- The last step involves attaching the last few components, including the headrest and armrests.
What are Office Chairs Made of?
Is it possible to make a desk chair? Office chairs are mainly made with many different materials such as leather, mesh, plastic, or timber. Almost all materials come with pros. The most important thing when looking for chairs is to know their materials.
Here are 5 materials that you may choose when choosing office chairs.
Leather
Leather chairs and particularly executive chair models embody office luxury. However, these chairs are likely more expensive than their fabric counterpart.
Several companies are deciding if synthetic leather is better priced than leather because it provides more convenience and comfort for consumers.
The main drawback with leather, however, is its cost. Office chairs that come in leather backs and seats are often more expensive than others.
Plastics
Plastic office chairs often lack features that support users long-standing. Despite their compact size, they can be easily and affordably constructed.
They can be used in reception rooms or in the common area, and come in many different colours. Plastic chairs can easily be replaced regularly.
Fabrics
Typical office furniture comes in 2 types woven and knitted. This type of office chair is commonly found throughout offices worldwide.
The fabric is attractive and comfortable, but is also resistant to liquids. Clean your chair seat if there are spills during your job.
Mesh
Mesh is now an attractive material on office furniture. Mesh offices are typically designed for back support. Because it is versatile it’s extremely comfortable because it helps the user breathe air in a sitting position.
Nowadays the best-selling office chairs are made of mesh.
Wood
The wooden office chair is hard to find in our current world of modernity. It is regarded as a classic chair material and is largely handmade.
Wood office chairs have a few shortcomings however and don’t provide adequate comfort for prolonged standing time.
FAQ’s
How long does it take to manufacture office chairs?
The building time for a chair can vary based on the manufacturer. Nonetheless, lead times will extend to several weeks for modern chairs needing customizations.
What are office chairs made out of?
Some are manufactured of steel which can be used to create durable chairs. The best base is aluminum or wood. Alternatively, ergonomic chair bases are available in chrome painted versions. The nylon based base is extremely durable and will last many years. There are many materials to choose from when making chairs and today’s best selling office chair may have been costly like the Aeron chair which is known for its good design award in the Furniture and lighting category.
How are mesh chairs made?
Although there are some exceptions the majority of mesh chairs are made from synthetic material. Each individual fiber strand will be linked together and created into mesh fabric which makes up the backrest of the mesh chair.
What metal is used for office chairs?
Based upon research conducted for typical chairs used today, the most typical materials used for chairs are carbon steel and Aluminium. It also makes intuitive sense because they’re more practical in furniture than coppers.
Conclusion
Over time, the way we work has changed along with the rest of the world. Understanding how office chairs are created will help you choose the finest option because many of us work from home. The greatest ergonomic office chair can help you every day to achieve maximum productivity.
Many office chairs come in many different materials and styles to fit any budget. Leather is the most expensive but also adds a touch of luxury to your office.
Plastic chairs are the most affordable and easy to replace regularly. Fabric is attractive, comfortable, and resistant to liquids. Mesh provides great back support and breathability.
Wooden chairs provide a classic look but may not be as comfortable for extended periods of sitting. Depending on the type of materials and features you want, you can find a great office chair to suit your needs.
Keep in mind the type of material and features you need before making a purchase. With the right chair, you’ll be able to work in comfort for hours.
No matter what type of chair you chose be it a swivel office chair, a dining chair, an aeron chair and any other chair, it is important that it is not only at high level in quality but in safety too.
