Will My School Furniture Stand Up to the Test of Kids?

Artcobell is our guest blog this week. We are proud to introduce their furniture here at Porters.

We all know the reality of school settings—furniture rarely gets treated with respect. You’ve seen it: images of kids jumping, throwing, and otherwise abusing their chairs and desks!

As you furnish or re-furnish your school, don’t you want to be sure that the classroom furniture you purchase is kid-tested and built to survive the wear and tear of the school environment? 

Before you purchase classroom furniture, check out this list of helpful questions, which will help you decide which furniture is right for your school: 

Does the furniture meet BIFMA (Building Industry Furniture Manufacturers Association) standards?

While these standards were developed primarily for office furniture, they are frequently used to test school furniture, as well. As a trusted classroom furniture expert in America, our process is trusted by administrators, teachers, and kids alike! All of our products go beyond BIFMA minimums. In fact, we’ve created a few of our own tests to ensure the furniture we provide you with is durable and safe for kids. Our children and grandchildren use our furniture, so like you, we want it to be great! You can download BIFMA testing under “resources + downloads” on each website product page.

Is the furniture made from proven materials that can take a beating?

The raw materials that go into furniture, as well as the processes used for putting it together, can have a big impact on the durability of the final product.

For example:

• High-wear surfaces, like high-pressure laminate and solid plastic, have been used for decades in schools. 
• Low-pressure laminate (or melamine) works best for vertical surfaces (cabinets, shelving) versus horizontal ones (desks, tables). 
• Chemical-resistant surfaces might be warranted—and worth the upcharge—for science classrooms. 
• Marker-board surfaces provide great functionality but they can show scratches and ghosting over time. 

What if my furniture gets damaged?

There are always going to be times when something needs fixed. Be sure to speak with your furniture dealer about service after the sale. Ask questions like, “Can I get replacement parts?” and “What is the warranty process?”