If you’re revamping the current furniture in your medical facility or are completely starting anew, it’s important to not only understand the types of chairs and furniture that you should outfit your office and waiting room with, but also the type of fabrics that will be covering them.
Not only do you want your chairs to be comfortable and stylish, but you also want them to be sturdy, easy to clean, and easy to keep sanitized.
Here are some common textiles found on medical office furniture, and the perks and drawbacks of each to help you decide which is best for your facility.
Fabric
While comfortable and versatile in terms of colours and patterns, fabric is generally not recommended for healthcare practices. This textile may be welcoming and inviting, but it’s definitely not the best type of upholstery to choose for your office.
Fabric is porous, and as such, debris and fluids can easily soak deep into the material and make it very difficult to keep clean and free of germs and bacteria. Not only does this make your office look unsightly, but it’s also conducive to a germ-filled interior. And considering how many ill patients make their way in and out of the office, it’s not the type of setting you want to create.
Vinyl
A commonly-seen textile in medical practices is vinyl, and for good reason. While it might not be the most comfortable material to sit on, it is very easy to keep clean and rid the surfaces of germs and bacteria that can easily make their way into a doctor’s office. And because it’s not porous, bacteria cannot penetrate as easily as with other textiles.
Vinyl is also very durable and easy to maintain. And today’s vinyl options offer many different colors and patterns that were not necessarily available over the recent past. Having said that, vinyl can rip or crack if the plasticizers of the material are strained and broken down from overuse of bleaching and exposure to harsh chemicals.
Crypton Fabric
This specialized textile is finished with a fluid-resistant backing that resembled traditional fabric but is more impermeable like vinyl. And with a wide range of colours and patterns available, crypton fabric makes it easy to style your medical office.
That said, crypton fabric is still somewhat semi-permeable and can still absorb some fluids and odours. Special cleaners are needed to regularly maintain the textile to keep it clean and healthy.
Need help picking out your medical office chairs? Call Unichairs to help! With our team of top designers and a vast array of fabulous chairs and tables, we can help you create a welcoming and stylish medical practice that’s easy to maintain and keep sanitized. Call or email Unichairs to book your consultation today!