There are many things to consider in a church sanctuary project — capacity, budget, time line, desired look, potential use of space and the type of seating you want are good starting points for a discussion about seating. 

Here are a few guidelines when discussing pews. When you hear the words engineered wood, solid wood or wood, clarify their meaning. Are these terms referring to plywood, medium density fibercore (MDF), particle board, solid oak, solid pine or some other wood product? Make sure your committee understands the wood type and learns the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Ask about the intermediate supports. What is the thickness? How are they built? Wood veneer chips and supports are kicked and often damaged at the edges.  Make sure your edges won't be easily damaged and hurt the look of your pew. How are the intermediate supports attached to the pew seat?  

Pews offer comfortable seating at a very good price - generally between $55 and $80 per lineal foot, delivered and installed.  Kneelers will add to the pricing when they're required.  People spread out and enjoy the comfort.  Fire code allows for approximately 18 inches per person, while comfort dictates between 20 and 22 inches per person in a pew.  The standard row back to pew back dimension for pews is 36" with 12" of clearance for the row between pews to form the walkway.

The main disadvantage of pews is they offer little flexibility.  They are very difficult to move since they are anchored to the floor and heavy.  Moving pews might be required to accommodate a large wedding party or a large church choir. 

As a mix of both options, some churches are selecting chairs for the front rows and using pews sometimes in the back for the rest of the seating. This offers a great combination of comfort, tradition and flexibility.

Chairs are probably the most flexible and affordable solution to your church seating needs. Consider this option if your budget is tight (metal frame) or if you're almost at capacity and want to encourage members to save space, yet still provide outstanding comfort and beauty.

Additionally, auditorium seating is increasingly used in today's churches. It maximizes capacity and comfort. 

Refinishing
Many churches start on a project and think refinishing will save money versus the cost of new pews. While some refinishing might, good refinishing will generally cost more. So when do churches refinish?

Refinishing makes sense when the pews are curved. Curved pews were very popular a one time, but today they are quite costly. Generally refinishing will offer the church a better value than replacement. It is especially effective when the curved or radius pews are in relatively good condition.

Refinishing makes sense when the pews are old and historic. Sometimes pews become an integral part of the church environment. Ancestors sat on them and the same pew has been "part of the family" for generations.

Refinishing makes sense when the pews have a unique feature. Solid walnut or other expensive wood is often very costly to replace, so, here, refinishing is definitely worth consideration. Sometimes the seat of the pew is unique for capacity reasons. Some old pews have a 13 or 14-inch seat. While not as comfortable as today's pew, the narrow seat width allows for more rows of pews. The seating in the additional rows may be critical for the church when it is running at or near full seating capacity.

When you decide to buy new pews or seating, the question becomes what to do with your old pews. Some choices include local want ads, the Salvation Army (for a donation) or ebay. You won't get much money, but you will clear out your space for renovation or rebuilding. Also, remember nice pews can be cut down and sold to church members as a fundraiser. 

When you're listing your pews, have the lengths of each one, the number of pews at each length and a digital picture if possible. Pews are hard to sell without pictures. Try to have the approximate age and the manufacturer, if possible. Be aware when you list pews for sale, as you may start to get calls from churches in search of a donation.