If you need comfortable seating for your fellowship hall, church sanctuary, or special event that can also stack neatly aside when that space is needed for other activities, then stack chairs have the versatility you need. Here are a few considerations regarding stack chairs.

1. Seat Material
Depending on the look and function of the space that the stack chairs are to be used for determines whether upholstery or plastic seats would be best.

Upholstered stack chairs create a formal look and can give an extra design element to a space by choosing a fabric with a pattern or complementary color. Fabric upholstery is a great option for banquet halls, lobbies, or churches looking to replace the traditional pew. Vinyl upholstery is another option that works well for spaces where food may be served, such as a fellowship hall. Vinyl stack chairs are still available in a variety of colors, but can be easily cleaned with just a damp cloth.

Plastic stack chairs are durable and generally lightweight. They are great when temporary seating is needed, as they can be stacked with ease. Many of the plastic seats are molded to create a comfortable stack chair, but with a smaller price tag.

2. Base Style
Stack chairs are available with standard four-leg bases or sled bases. Sled bases are a nice choice for carpeted floors, because there are no leg points to snag the carpet. Some people prefer the traditional look of a stack chair with legs, and there are many models that offer this feature.

3. Stackability
If chairs are moved from room to room on a regular basis or used in a space that serves a dual function, consider a chair that is easy to stack. Chairs with more padding on the seat will not stack as high as plastic stack chairs.

Folding Chairs
Next, shopping for folding chairs? There are a lot of folding chairs on the market, and after shopping a while, they may all begin to look the same. Here are a few features to look for in order to find the right folding chair.

1. Frame
Most folding chairs have a metal frame and its gauge measures the metal strength. A smaller gauge number means a thicker sheet of metal, which, in return, means a stronger chair. Folding chairs can now be found at most local chain retail stores, but they typically only have a 19-gauge or 20-gauge frame.

Folding chairs made for heavy, institutional use and normally have an 18-gauge or 19-gauge frame. It is more affordable in the long run to invest in a stronger, long-lasting folding chair as opposed to replacing weaker chairs every few years.

2. Cross Braces
Cross braces are the metal bars that connect the front legs or back legs to each other. The bars strengthen the frame by keeping your folding chairs from shifting side to side. If you want a folding chair for outdoor use, look for an inverted cross brace on the back legs. The brace is designed to keep your folding chair from sinking into the soft ground.

3. Hinges
Hinges are the small metal bars that help your chair unfold and stay in place. These hinges are strategically located on where the most pressure is distributed on the chair. Double hinges mean that there two hinges on each side, for a total of four, which allows for exceptional durability.

4. Seat & Back
The seat and back material on a folding chair is the feature of the chair that most directly will affect the person sitting in the chair. All metal folding chairs are the most common style on the market, and they offer exceptional durability and have very low maintenance.

Plastic seats and backs are easy to spray or wipe clean when used for an outdoor event. They are typically lighter and make a quick task of carrying to and from a location.

Fabric-upholstered seats and backs are great for comfort and are a very popular choice for churches and school meeting rooms. They are available in a variety of seat thickness' ranging from 1-3 inches of padding. There are many different fabric colors and patterns available, which allow the folding chairs to blend in or complement any décor.

Vinyl-upholstered seats and backs blend the cleanability of plastic seats and backs with the comfort of fabric seats. The vinyl-covered folding chairs are great for dining halls, banquet rooms, and at sporting events where there is likelihood for spills or messes.

This article is courtesy of Worthington Direct, www.worthingtondirect.com.