Features
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For the leader. The "director's" chair is designed not only to provide comfort to the leader, but also to emphasize his status and authority. Therefore, such models usually have a massive structure and larger dimensions than conventional chairs for staff, and also use more expensive materials (primarily leather and its analogues) — which ensures an appropriate solid design. Many executive chairs also have a specific shape with a slightly "failed" seat, headrests, etc.; all this is designed to increase the comfort of the seated.
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For staff. Armchairs designed primarily for ordinary office workers. On the practical side, for the most part, they are less comfortable than executive models — in particular, they are rarely equipped with head restraints (see below) and lumbar support. At the same time, the key difference lies in the fact that in this case the emphasis is not on design, but on practicality. So, the design uses mainly inexpensive, but sufficiently durable materials (fabric, mesh, etc.), the weight of the chairs is small, which makes it easy to move them from place to place, and the shape of the seat and armrests is usually chosen in such a way that It was convenient for the seated person to get up and sit down often. However, models for staff are sometimes so good and functional that they can be safely attributed to managerial chairs, so such options can have a dual purpose — for the ma
...nager and staff.
— For visitors. The specificity of chairs of this type is that they, usually, are constantly in one place, while they are used by different people who have to sit for a relatively short time. Therefore, such models most often have bases in the form of legs or skids (see "Base design"), and their design as a whole is quite simple and rarely provides any additional adjustments. Nevertheless, in this class there are both simple products made of inexpensive materials that provide a minimum of comfort, and very solid-looking furniture, designed for richly furnished offices and not inferior in quality to the "director's" chairs.
— Children's. Armchairs designed for children have appropriate design features — reduced dimensions and a specific shape of the seat and back. In addition, among such models there are options in a rather bright original design — with colour drawings, an unusual shape of the backs and seats, etc.
— Gamer. Models created specifically for gamers stand out with a characteristic "aggressive" design, hinting at the seats of racers and pilots. However, they are often as comfortable as real racing seats, and the equipment includes at least a Tilt mechanism, and more often a more advanced solution such as a multiblock or synchro mechanism (see above). In general, this is a fairly advanced type of chair — but not cheap, respectively.Back height
Chair back height; for models with a variable back height (see "Adjustments"), as a rule, the maximum value is indicated.
The back height is measured from the seat to the top edge. In essence, this is the height of support available to the back. In some situations, you can not pay much attention to this indicator - for example, if the chair is intended for visitors and the role of the back in it is purely symbolic. However, if you have to sit in a chair often and for a long time, this point should also be taken into account. Ideally, it's best to try a few chairs "live" and find out which backrest height is most comfortable for you. If this is not possible, it is worth deciding which area on the body the back should reach (to the shoulder blades, to the base of the neck, etc.) and measure at what height from the seat this area is in a sitting position. And if you need specific support for the back of the head, you should choose among models equipped with head restraints (see above).
Seat size (WxD)
Dimensions of the seat installed in the chair in width and depth (from the back to the front edge). For models with variable depth (see "Adjustments"), the maximum value is taken into account when the seat is pushed forward to the stop.
Most modern chairs are designed for the average adult, so paying attention to size is primarily for people of a large, or, conversely, miniature physique. In width, the average is considered to be 45 – 55 cm, the narrowest models are up
to 40 cm wide, in the widest it can
exceed 60 cm. Similarly, a depth of less than 40 cm is considered small, up to 60 cm — medium, more than 60 cm — large.
Seat height
Seat height from the floor. The optimal height for a person of average height is considered to be 40 – 50 cm, however, this moment is largely subjective, and the comfort of the chair for a particular user depends heavily on his preferences and physique. Thus, many models have the ability to change the height in a certain range (see "Adjustments"). To choose, it is best to determine “live” at what height you are comfortable sitting, and find a model with the appropriate characteristics.
Base
The type of support on which the chair is placed.
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Cross with rollers. A structure in the form of several horizontal supports extending from one point in different directions. Such supports are usually provided for at least 5 — this prevents the chair from tipping over; a vertical bar rests on the point of their connection, on which the seat is located, and a transport roller (wheel) is installed at the end of each support. Armchairs with such bases are extremely convenient to move — the rollers make it easy to roll them. On the other hand, mobility requires some caution, and in some cases it is simply inappropriate.
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Legs. Classic legs similar to those used in ordinary home chairs. Unlike the cross, they are not equipped with rollers, and in order to move such a chair, it is necessary to raise it entirely. However, this cannot be called a disadvantage — in some cases (for example, in chairs for visitors, see "Intended use"), a stable installation and the inability to accidentally move the product are an advantage. Of any significant shortcomings, one can only name the tendency of the legs to push through the pressure-sensitive coating on the floor over time.
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Skids. Like the legs described above, such bases are not designed for frequent movement and are used in chairs designed to stay in one place all the time — primarily in models for visito
...rs (see "Intended Use"). Usually the skids are a kind of frame — a rectangle without one side, on which the whole structure rests. This shape not only provides an original appearance, but also has less effect on the floor than classic legs: the runners have a larger area of contact with the support, due to which they create less pressure.Armrests
The presence of
armrests in the design of the chair — characteristic handles located on the sides of the seat, on which you can lean with your elbows and forearms. This reduces fatigue in the neck and shoulders. However the armrests do not allow sitting sideways in the chair and can create some inconvenience for those who often have to get up from their seats; but it is unlikely that these shortcomings can be called critical. As a result, this function is practically obligatory in chairs for executives, and is also widely used in products for staff (see "Intended use"), but among children's models and furniture for visitors it is somewhat less common.
Height from the seat
The height of the armrests installed in the chair relative to the seat. In models that have the ability to adjust the armrests in height (see "Adjustments"), the range of such adjustment is usually indicated.
The overall comfort of using the chair depends on the height of the armrests, but this parameter is largely subjective: even people of the same height can differ in physique and personal preferences. So if comfort is of fundamental importance to you, it is best to check live what armrest height is optimal and choose a chair with the appropriate specifications.
Seat material
The material from which the chair seat is made directly. Note that individual models can be produced in several versions, differing in the material of the seat.
— Textile.
The fabric can have many varieties, and specific characteristics depend on the price category of the chair. And this material is found in all categories — from low-cost models to rather expensive products. The common properties of all types of fabric are low cost, durability, as well as undemanding maintenance.
— Skin. The main distinguishing features of genuine leather are the rich appearance and the corresponding cost. Thus, this material is considered "image" and is used not only for comfort, but also to emphasize the status of the owner. Accordingly, most chairs with
leather seats are designed for executives (see "Appointment") and are in the premium class. On the practical side, the leather is durable, quite pleasant to the touch, but poorly breathable (which can create discomfort in hot weather).
— Leatherette. A variety of artificial materials that mimics the natural leather described above. The quality and properties of a particular leatherette, usually, directly depend on its cost (and the price category of the chair in general), but even the most expensive options are usually cheaper than leather — despite the fact that outwardly and even in sensations they can be almost indistinguishable from i
...t. In addition, this material is not so demanding to care for. Thanks to this , leatherette seats are quite common. Their main disadvantages are the tendency to scuffs and, in general, a shorter service life than leather ones (but again, a lot depends on the price).
— Plastic. Plastic seats are typical of the most inexpensive chairs designed for visitors — or for staff who do not have to sit in one place for a long time. This material is characterized by low cost combined with strength, reliability and an abundance of colours. At the same time, it has one key drawback, which actually nullifies all the described advantages — hardness; Simply put, sitting on plastic is uncomfortable. Because of this, even among the models mentioned, all-plastic seats are very rare.
— Wood. The word "wood" in the case of seating for office chairs usually refers to plywood. This material is in many ways similar to the plastic described above, but it also has some differences: on the one hand, it has an aesthetic appearance with original patterns and is considered more pleasant to the touch, on the other hand, it costs more and provides relatively few design options. However, such a disadvantage as hardness is also characteristic of this material, which is why it is also used only in isolated cases.
— Net. Seats in the form of a rigid frame, in which a fabric or synthetic mesh is stretched. The main advantages of such designs are light weight and good breathability. The design of the nets allows them to be used even in executive chairs. Of the noticeable shortcomings of mesh seats, one can only single out a slightly lower reliability and greater complexity of repair than those of largely similar fabric seats (see above).Back material
The main material used for the back of the chair. Note that some models are available in several design options that differ in materials; for such models, all available options are given.
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Fabric. Relatively inexpensive and at the same time quite practical material. It has good strength, unpretentious care, while it can be performed in a variety of colours and designs; in addition, it provides good ventilation, which can be useful in the heat.
— Skin.
Genuine leather is expensive and well emphasizes the status of the owner (especially since the leather products themselves look solid and rich). Accordingly, the main area of use of this option is executive chairs (see "Appointment"). On the practical side, the skin is durable, quite pleasant to the touch, but it does not breathe well (which can create discomfort in hot weather) and requires some care, otherwise it may lose its “presentation”.
- Leatherette. There are many varieties of leatherette, which differ markedly in price and properties, and the most advanced of them are used even in premium executive chairs.
Leatherette backs are not as demanding to care as genuine leather, but are less durable and more susceptible to wear and abrasion.
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Grid. The backs are in the form of a rigid frame, in which a fabric or synthetic mesh is stretched. Th
...e main advantages of such designs are light weight and good breathability. The design of the nets allows them to be used even in executive chairs. Of the noticeable shortcomings, one can single out perhaps a slightly lower reliability and greater complexity of repair than in a fabric similar in many respects (see above).
— Plastic. Pure plastic backs are most often used in chairs with seats made of the same material (see above). They are durable and inexpensive, but due to their rigidity they are rather inconvenient, as a result of which they have not gained distribution even among models for visitors.
- Wood. Wooden backs are in many ways similar to the plastic ones described above, except that they cost a little more and can have an original appearance due to the texture patterns of the tree. They are also rarely used because of the rigidity and the inconvenience associated with it.