How long should an office chair actually last? If you’ve recently bought office chairs and found you’ve had to replace them a lot sooner than you thought you would, you may be wondering what the lifespan of an office chair should be. We take a look at factors that can reduce the life of office seating.

By choosing a good quality chair upfront, you could save yourself plenty of hassle and money in the long run.

 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD OFFICE CHAIRS BE REPLACED?

The answer depends on the chair you choose and how well the seat is looked after. A chair can last anywhere from a single year to ten years, or even more. A good-quality chair should last between seven and ten years. Spend a little more on quality upfront and you’ll find your office chair lasts a lot longer than a single year.

 

WHAT CAN REDUCE THE LIFESPAN OF A CHAIR?

There are a few factors that can shorten the lifespan of an office chair. If you find your office is full of worn-out chairs, consider whether it’s the chair that’s at fault or the way it is being used.

CHEAP COMPONENTS

If your chair has been made using cheap or inferior components, the lifespan of your chair will be compromised. Cheap castors and pneumatic parts can easily break, rendering the chair unusable. Levers, handles, and knobs made of cheap parts can easily break off, leaving you unable to adjust your chair. When buying a chair ask where the chair was manufactured, and find out if there are any guarantees in place to replace the chair should a component break.

INCORRECT USAGE

Is your chair being used for what it was designed for? A chair can come under additional strain if it is used incorrectly. If you’re using a chair more suited to a meeting room in an executive office, you may find that it breaks more easily, as it isn’t designed to be used at a desk all day.

POOR USER HABITS

There are many ways that a user can damage an office chair – swinging on the chair, constantly adjusting the height, racing it up and down the corridors. If the chair is abused, it’s much likely to break.

HEAVY USE

Using a chair day in and day out takes its toll. A good quality office chair will be able to handle heavy usage, but inferior chairs may start showing signs of wear quickly. If a chair is used in a flexible working space and is often switched between different users, the chair may take additional strain as it is adjusted more often and moved around more regularly.

 

HOW LONG SHOULD I USE THE SAME CHAIR?

If you’re wondering whether it’s time to replace your office chair, consider whether or not the chair is still comfortable to sit in.

DAMAGED PARTS

If you find that the chair parts have been damaged, it’s probably time to get a new chair. If the pneumatic levels no longer raise and lower the chair, if the armrests are broken or if the wheels are broken, there’s a good chance it’s time to replace the chair.

For an ergonomic chair to work correctly, the chair needs to be adjustable. If you find you can no longer adjust the armrests, backrest or seat height, your chair isn’t working as it should and it may be time for a new one.

FLATTENED CUSHIONING

The seat of an office chair should be padded with a comfortable foam layer. The cushion plays an important role in preventing back pain, so it is important that the foam works as it should.

When the cushioning compresses too much it could cause lower back pain, which will reduce productivity and could even cause employees to have to take time off work.

GENERAL DISCOMFORT

Sometimes an office chair just starts feeling uncomfortable. You may not be able to actually put your finger on why the chair is making you uncomfortable, but considering how many hours you spend sitting in the chair, it’s important to sort out a chair if it doesn’t feel right. Try adjusting the armrests and backrests of the chair, but if you just can’t get comfortable, it might be time for a new chair.

If you’re wondering if it’s time to replace your office chair, there’s a good chance you’re not feeling comfortable in your current seating option. And if your office chair didn’t last as long as you were hoping, make sure your next chair combines quality components, great design, and a no-fuss guarantee, so you can fix any issues that arise after purchase.