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Unlike the purchase of furniture for your home, hotel furniture needs to withstand continuous use, repeated cleaning and the occasional impact of luggage, spillages and heavy foot traffic. Here contract grade is of great importance, and this article discusses contract grade hotel furniture selected for longevity and guest comfort.
1. Focus on Construction Materials and Joinery
The first obvious point on what distinguishes between contract and domestic furniture lies in what is unseen. It needs to be hardwood kiln-dried, like oak, maple or beech. And as for the joints and connectivities, corner blocks, dowels and screws are vastly more superior to staples or merely glue, while the metal parts need to be stainless steel or powder coated to resist oxidation.
EKAR's "wood source" brand and its luxury collections make use of the above mentioned joinery techniques for contract applications. As for high-touch points such as a reception counter or a lounge sofa, reinforcement frames and heavy duty hardware are standard. Always inquire about the construction of joints, moisture level of the wood and the gauge thickness of any metal elements.
2. Verify Fabric and Finish Durability
Hotel seating undergoes considerable abuse. Fabrics for use in contract environments need to undergo abrasion tests (Martindale and Wyzenbeek tests). Typical ranges include 30,000 to 100,000 double rubs for heavy traffic. Stains, solution-dyed acrylic for external use and taut weave fabrics help extend a fabric's life, but for corridors and children's hotel themed environments, a practical and robust choice might be vinyl or faux leather.
The finishing of the furniture needs to be as robust as possible. Highly catalyzed lacquers or varnishes are excellent for the preservation of wood, making it resistant to moisture, cleaning products and alcohol. All EKAR finishes withstand repeated sanitizing. Restaurants, reception desks and exterior furniture are expected to receive finishes that will resist staining and heat, according to NEMA and KCMA standards.
3. Check Weight Ratings and Testing Certifications
Furniture for hotel environments is tested against its ability to withstand the kind of pressure that can be expected during usage in a hotel context. The seating chairs should have clear weight ratings indicated (often 300 to 500 pounds). Any drawers and cupboard hinges must be designed to withstand numerous openings and closing actions (often thousands of cycles). There are industry-standard test reports such as the ANSI/BIFMA test (which covers office and contract furniture) or the ASTM standards, to evaluate a furniture's strength.
The chairs and tables produced by EKAR for various parts of a hotel meet strict commercial quality standards. Outdoor furniture and furniture for spaces exposed to harsh weather should have certifications for UV resistance and water repellence. A reliable manufacturer of contract grade furniture will willingly provide its clients with test reports.
4. Consider Replace ability and Maintenance Access
One needs to consider that even high quality furniture might need replacement and/or repair, as this can be time consuming and costly. Thus the design should feature the easy replacing of parts, such as cushions, and draw slides; this often does not even require taking furniture apart completely. Modular solutions are ideal for spaces like restaurant dining rooms, hallways and business centers where furniture experiences varying degrees of wear. EKAR's modular designs will allow any component to be swapped out. Many suppliers keep spare parts ready and quickly available for any orders.
Summary
Choosing contract grade hotel furniture necessitates carefully analyzing a furniture's hidden structural elements, material qualities and durability, weight bearing capacity, test certificates and, not least, its maintenance and replacement accessibility. EKAR FURNITURE possesses the capabilities required in supplying hotel-specific, long lasting, furniture; since 1995 the firm has invested in a 120,000 square meter industrial complex, an 8,000 square meter showroom, over 1,000 workers and technicians, supplying a vast assortment of furniture for children's themed hotels, business centers, lobbies, rooms, suites, restaurant dining rooms and outdoor hotel settings. The range of products, from "wood source" natural timber designs to luxurious collections supplied for the major hotel groups, hotels (Marriott, IHG, Accor, Shangri La, Hilton, and more) and leading real estate development groups throughout China is testament to EKAR FURNITURE's commitment to quality. Request test reports and have your furniture needs addressed with EKAR FURNITURE now.