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productivity
5 September 2023

Office chairs: the 4 most frequently asked questions

Very often, in the workplace or at home, the importance of having ergonomic office chairs is underestimated. This is because, many times, we are unaware of the risks involved in using the wrong seat, or we do not know the benefits that an ergonomic chair has to offer.

In this article, our intention is to clarify the questions we are asked most frequently or, in any case, the perplexities we encounter in carrying out our work with customers.

 

Office chairs

1. Why is lumbar support important?

Whether it’s for work or for study hours, when we spend several hours sitting in a chair, as is normal, we tend to assume a series of incorrect positions, which are harmful to our back health.

Lumbar support is an extremely important device that every ergonomic chair, to be defined as such, must have. As the name suggests, it has the function of offering support to the lumbar area, helping our spine to maintain the correct shape and curvature.

This particular device must be adjusted so that it rests and applies pressure at the height of our kidneys.

As we know, of course, we human beings are all different from each other. For this reason, there must be the possibility to adjust the lumbar support in relation to our height.

In fact, many of our office swivel chairs are equipped with them. We can even make a small distinction. We have adjustable lumbar supports and fixed lumbar supports.

Adjustable lumbar supports are typical of chairs with a mesh back, which is usually fixed. For this reason, lumbar support and backrest are two separate things.

The opposite, however, occurs when the backrest is padded. In our mod. Juke 50, for example, the lumbar support is integrated into the backrest, which however, in this case, is adjustable in height.

2. What are the seats and backs of office chairs made of?

As we have already seen, chair backrests can be padded and covered or they can be in mesh. From this point of view, there is no right choice because it is more ergonomic than the other. It’s just about aesthetic taste.

The same argument, however, cannot be applied to the seat. A good well-padded seat, in addition to offering better support, also lasts longer over time.

Using as an example always the mod. Juke 50, we see that padding in cold-foamed polyurethane, compared to padding in sponge, guarantees better performance and offers a largely reduced degree of deformation over the years.

Polyurethane is also a material used to make the upper part of the adjustable armrests, obviously with a different density and structural characteristics.

 

Office chairs

3. What are the armrests for in office chairs?

The importance of armrests is often underestimated. They are identified as a cause of disturbance, inconvenience and uselessness.

On the contrary, the armrests play an important role in helping to maintain correct posture. When your arms rest on the armrests, you avoid overloading your neck and shoulders.

Our 3D armrests (adjustable in 3 dimensions) allow you to adjust their position according to the user’s needs. In fact, they allow the classic height adjustment, but not only; the rotation and depth of the upper pad, which is covered with a soft polyurethane, can also be adjusted.

We therefore advise not to underestimate the importance of armrests and to maintain a healthy posture in the office.

If you haven’t already done so, run and read the article on “correct posture to keep in the office”.

 

4. What is the life duration of an office chair?

A good office chair, if used properly, can become a faithful working companion for several years. In our case, this is demonstrated by the fact that some of our customers come back to us after several years of using the chair, perhaps to ask for a simple wheel or gas column to be replaced.

One thing is certain, you pay for quality. If you think about buying an office chair at a reduced price, you can’t expect it to last ten years.

Our advice, when it comes to buying an ergonomic armchair, is to carefully evaluate the alternatives and to choose a model that can prove to be an investment, both in economic terms and in terms of health.

Hoping that we have shed some light on ergonomic chairs, the Grendene Chairs team remains available for any need.

Visit our website and choose your next trusted workmate.

why purchase an office swivel chair
3 March 2022

Why purchase an office swivel chair?

Have you ever wondered why purchase an ergonomic office swivel chair? Or why there are more and more people opting for this type of choice? Or again, is it really necessary?

We at Grendene are here to explain why to purchase an office swivel chair and what benefits can be gained from this type of choice.

Office chairs are work tools

Let’s start by making clear a very important thing that, unfortunately, most people still ignore: office swivel chairs are real work tools, just like computers, management softwares or production machinery are.

In fact, they have the fundamental function of supporting the operator during the entire time of use, in order to prevent annoying back pains from arising and to prevent drops in concentration and productivity.

The characteristiscs of a good office chair

There are many types of office chairs. They differ in the materials used, in the degree of adaptability to the user’s needs and also in the price range.

In general, a good office chair, to be defined as such, must be sturdy, adjustable and ergonomic.

The sturdiness is mainly given by the materials used for the various components. A good chair can support its user throughout the working day for several years of constant use. This applies to all its components, from the mechanisms to the padding, up to the fabrics used for the upholstery.

Another important factor is the degree of adaptability to user needs. Each person is different from another; there are those who are a little shorter and those taller, those who weigh little and those who weigh a little more. The possibility of adjustment allows the ergonomic chairs to adapt to everyone’s measurements so that they are like a tailored suit.

Chairs can in fact be adjusted in height, but also in the inclination of the backrest. Armrests, lumbar support and headrest can also be adjustable. An example is our ergonomic armchair with mesh back mod. Like 700.

Like

This model, then, can be even more adjustable if you go to mount the seat slider. This particular mechanism allows the advancement of the seat, creating more space for the seat, very useful for tall people.

The last, but not least, feature is that of ergonomics. An ergonomic chair helps the user to remain in the correct position so that pain does not arise, ensuring the maintenance of the natural “S” shape of the spine even when seated.

Useful advice

We remind you that the chair is a work tool and that, as such, it should also be known how to use. The right height for the chair to be adjusted to is the one that allows you to see the computer without tilting your head too much.

The feet must rest well on the floor and the position of the legs must allow for proper blood circulation, usually at an angle of about 90 degrees.

Don’t wait for back pain before buying your office chair, your physical well-being must come first. You will find that by working comfortably, you will also be better mentally.

how not to ruin the floor with office chairs
28 January 2022

How not to ruin the floor with office chairs

In recent years, due to the pandemic, we have also seen an important change in the office world. New rules, new layouts of spaces and even the birth of many offices within the home.

This means that office chairs today find space in areas that perhaps, initially, were not designed for that type of use. Many people have found themselves having to build their own office in the living room or bedroom.

However, every house, even more than every office, is different and the floors can be more delicate and therefore more susceptible to scratches. In this regard, in this article we want to explain about how not to ruin the floor with office chairs.

Swivel chairs with castors

Most office swivel chairs are fitted with castors, which are usually made of hard plastic, which easily marks delicate floors such as parquet or marble floors. Many will tell you that a solution to this problem could be the purchase of a floor protector mat.

This mat, however, limits the use of the chair only above it and can also clash with the style of furniture in the room.

The solution proposed by Grendene is the provision of rubber castors for office swivel chairs. All the chairs of our production, at the request of the customer, can be equipped with rubber castors.

Our office swivel chair mod. Iris 10, once equipped with this type of castors, turns out to be the perfect solution for those who work in remote working or those who follow the lessons in distance learning. Compared to an ergonomic office chair, it is a little smaller and lighter, while maintaining the comfort features.

not to ruin the floor with office chairs

The rubber castors are suitable for any type of floor; in fact, they do not leave scratches or marks of various kinds, they have the same smoothness as normal ones and do not even cost much more than the latter. That is why, unlike the various mats, they are the ideal solution.

Another point in favor of our rubber castors is the fact that they are self-braking. A self-braking castor, as the name suggests, can brake independently when there is no person sitting and therefore no weight. This is useful because, following a movement, the chair will not continue its run, avoiding impact with what is around it.

Ergonomic chairs with glides

If your office chair has glides instead of castors, it will certainly be less mobile. Upon request from the customer, we can supply your office chair with a special anti-scratch and anti-noise felt pad.

For a more “do-it-yourself” solution, our advice is to apply simple soft felt pads just under the feet. These will prevent your chair from marking or scratching the floor during dragging or in the small shifts it can take even when you are using it. These felt pads can be easily found in any DIY store or even in the supermarket.

Now that you have discovered how not to ruin the floor with office chairs, go to our site and choose the one that’s right for you.

office chairs
22 March 2021

The new dimensional requirements for the office chairs

To ensure suitable working conditions for the protection and safety of end users, it is necessary to produce and market office chairs that comply with ergonomic principles and minimum performance and safety requirements, or with dimensional requirements.

Dimensional requirements

The dimensional requirements of the seats are defined and described in the UNI EN 1335-1: 2020 standard – Office furniture – Office work chair – Part 1: Dimensions – Determination of dimensions, the latest version of which came into force in September 2020, has introduced some important changes.

In effect, the first change introduced by the standard concerns the method of determining the measures for which ISO 24496: 2017, adopted internationally, must be taken as a reference; this standard also takes into account the thrust on the backrest, simulating the weight of a seated person leaning on it.

A fundamental aspect to reconcile the safety and comfort of the end user.

office chairs

AX: a new type of chair

A further change compared to the previous version of 2000 concerns the introduction of a new type of chair, the AX type.

There are, therefore, four types of seats (AX, A, B and C).

The AX type of chair is able to cover, unlike the other types, a wider segment of the population. It provides greater adjustment possibilities in terms of seat depth and height and maximum distance from the backrest to the front edge of the armrests.

Four Appendices

Within the new version there are four Appendices.

Appendix A which includes an explanation of the importance of the different seat settings. Appendix B provides an example of how to interpret the prospectus of dimensional requirements; the dimensions of the neckrest and headrest are indicated in Appendix C; finally Appendix D contains the measurement uncertainty.

Furthermore, UNI EN 1335-1: 2020, a standard implemented at national level, together with UNI EN 1335-2: 2018, is used as a reference standard for determining compliance with Legislative Decree 81/2008, on the subject of protection of health and safety in the workplace.

21 July 2020

Castors: how to choose them and how to replace them

All office chairs are equipped with castors. They play a crucial role because they allow the employees to do alle the necessary movements during the working activity.
They avoid continuous standing up which would compromise the quality of the work, would distract the worker and would waste precious time.

The castors and the different types of floor

When buying a chair with castors, however, you need to keep in mind to where the chair will be placed and take into consideration the type of floor that there is.

In effect, on the market there are many different types, made of different materials. They are usually chosen  on the base of type of flooring.

For soft floors, with rugs or carpets, it is better to choose plastic castors (made of soft polyurethane), in this way the chair can slide better when necessary.

While for hard floors or parquet, laminate, tiles, stone or PVC flooring, it is preferable to opt for rubber castors.

Rubber ones are perfect for any type of floor because they limit scratches and damage and leave the floor clean. So if we are not sure of the type of floor, it is surely better to be on the safe side and choose rubber castors!

The self-braking mechanism

Usually all best quality castors are equipped with a self- braking mechanism.

The braking mechanism is another fundamental system for the usability of the chair as it activates as soon as the person gets up from the chair and prevents the chair from moving involuntarily and as soon as the person sits down the braking mechanism is unlocked.

Thus, the self-braking castors prevent the armchair from sliding while taking “long walks” around the office and slamming against walls or desks.

Different sizes

Office chair castors can also differ in size, both in terms of width and diameter.

They are mounted on different products (operating armchairs, semi-executive, executive and presidential armchairs).

The castors can also vary depending on the quality and aesthetic finiture. They can have plastic, wood, chromed metal details or be equipped with inserts of different colors.

Sometimes there are also perforated ones on the market and this detail allows the armchair to have a modern design. The castors are subject to wear and, often need to be replaced.

It is important, however, to buy quality castors which are silent and strong.

How to replace the castors

All office chairs castors are equipped with a metal “cylinder” which has a groove on its top and where a retaining ring is inserted, this “cylinder” must be inserted into the spoke base with a little bit of pressure.

To extract them, simply overturn the armchair and pull them firmly from the spoke base.

To insert the new ones, press the castor cylinder with pressure inside the special place in the spoke base, the metal sealing ring, placed in position, prevents the cylinder and the castor from leaving its place.

Grendene never underestimates small details that make a big difference.

23 March 2020

5 good reasons to choose “smart working”

What’s smart working ?

Today more than ever we hear about “smart working” but what does it consist in? “Smart working” is the new approach to work within an organization, it is a model of working characterized by the absence of hourly or spatial constraints that exploits the technology of digital tools that allow to break down physical barriers of space and time.

This way of working remotely is established through an agreement between employee and employer. Working in “smart” mode, however, presupposes a path of cultural change and an evolution of corporate organizational models.

In fact, many entrepreneurs believe that in order to apply this way of working it is essential to adopt a corporate culture based on trust, autonomy, responsibility and predisposition to change.

It is also very important to establish appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor the results and objectives that have to be achieved. This way it is easy to quantify not only the business results but also those of the smart working itself.

Why choose smart working?

The first advantage concerns logistics: the worker no longer has to waste precious time on the journey from home to work, therefore avoids getting stuck in traffic and, above all, minimizes the risk of making accidents due to the haste to go to the office harming one’s health and that of others.

Second advantage, smart working allows a better balance between private and working life. This model in fact guarantees greater flexibility, as it facilitates all those workers with family and children to be more present, allowing them to pay more attention to their children, matching work duties with parenthood duties. Young people can also benefit from it as they can spend more time doing other activities, feeling more fulfilled, happy and consequently working more efficiently.

The third benefit, is related to the increase in productivity. In fact, thanks to the transition to work “for objectives” and no longer to work at “hours worked” and from the “control” to “trust” between boss and employee, workers feel more responsible and this favors an improvement in performance and objectives to be achieved, influencing positively employees’ motivation and satisfaction. 

Fourth, the smart working model inevitably creates a distance between agile worker and office dynamics.

This, wrongly, is perceived as a negative side as it does not favor the exchange of ideas with colleagues. Fortunately, however, with the technology we are all equipped with, it is very simple to overcome this obstacle. Indeed, this new way of working allows us not to be distracted or unnecessarily disturbed by our colleagues.

The last positive aspect, but not least, is that “agile” workers are guaranteed equal treatment compared to colleagues who operate in the traditional way. Therefore, protection is provided in the event of accidents and occupational diseases.

In conclusion, choosing smart working means creating value for both the worker and the company itself, as this way of working chooses to put the person at the center of the organization with the aim of converging his personal and professional objectives with those of the company, making it grow and increasing its productivity. All of this must obviously not go to the detriment of ergonomics and one’s own health. As it often happens, in fact, few people recreate, in their home, a real smart work station, preferring instead improvised workstations perhaps in the living room  or in the kitchen table using the classic four-legged chairs.

Nothing worse could be done for ergonomics, posture and for the back, which in the long run could give rise to annoying pains and aches, due to having assumed an incorrect working position over time.

What are you waiting for? Protect your spine, discover our perfect office chairs to work where, how and when you want.

 

 

 

 

 

office
27 January 2020

Open space office: pros and cons

From the traditional office space to the open space

The new year has begun and with it all the new projects, it is therefore time for change and renewal. Why not start this transformation from your office? Is it better to choose a traditional office or an open space?
In the past twenty years, the transformation that has taken place in the world of work and in the way of working and conceiving productivity has inevitably also influenced the environment and work spaces.
From traditional offices, we initially moved to large rooms divided into narrower spaces and then to “open space” offices or offices of large surfaces without partition walls, which are shared by colleagues. The “open space” model spread at the beginning of the 21th century and was conceived to improve relations between colleagues and foster a rapprochement between employees and office managers, help team building and promote the sharing of skills, knowledge and exchange of ideas.
Today, however, the “open space” office model has been surpassed and challenged by research results: a 2008 study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Health Management had already highlighted how open workplaces reduced productivity and increased employee stress levels.
Another recent study by the University of Sydney has confirmed that in companies with open workspaces the main causes of dissatisfaction and frustration are the noise of electronic equipment such as printers, keyboards, scanners, bells of all kinds; the constant interruptions and the lack of privacy. Just the lack of privacy if on the one hand promotes exchanges and conversations between employees, on the other hand favors useless and time-wasting conversations.
Even another recent study demonstrates how working in barrier-free spaces reduces the rate of collaboration between employees, disadvantaging interpersonal relationships between colleagues and indeed encouraging isolation.
Many managers believe that this type of environment allows them to have superior control over their subordinates, but on the other hand, we must deal with the noise pollution that is created. The higher the noise, the lower the control capacity.

 

office

The solution and the new trend: the hybrid office

Over the years, some American companies have found some solutions to make everyone agree and by opting for office models that balance the closed and open spaces to guarantee employees the availability of different environments or “hybrid” spaces.
The transformation in the work spaces is the result of awareness of the different needs during the performance of the various work activities.
In this way, employees will no longer have their own desk but depending on the work they have to do they can independently change their work environment and opt for the space that best suits their needs.
Ideally, the hybrid office of a large company should include open spaces, private offices, meeting rooms and smaller, isolated and soundproofed spaces: in this way it is possible to meet everyone’s needs. Both when it is time for collaboration, comparison and discussion; both when you need privacy, concentration and silence.
In addition, it would be useful to have spaces dedicated to socialization such as a common kitchen or a coffee area to ensure small areas of decompression and relax during the working day. So what are you waiting for? It’s time for change, come and visit us and discover our products for your hybrid office.

Aris 660 chair with armrest
8 January 2020

Teaching chairs: 7 practical tips for choosing the right one

When choosing chairs for teaching classrooms, it is essential to opt for seats that allow space optimization and guarantee users a correct and comfortable posture.

Today, classrooms are no longer as static as they used to be. Their transformation has made the training environment innovative and dynamic. That’s why, even the furniture components are changing, becoming more and more flexible and modern. Whether in the case of university classrooms or libraries, choosing the right chair is not easy, the variety of models is very wide and often confuses us, if the needs to be met are not taken into account.

Therefore we will analyse the necessary characteristics when take into account chairs for teaching classrooms.

First of all, whether it is chairs for schools, universities, libraries or driving schools, given the high frequency of use, the chairs must be resistant and last over time, so it is good to evaluate the construction materials.

What’s more, educational classrooms are increasingly evolving today, so it is necessary to adapt the chairs to the various needs. This is why the chairs that are equipped and stackable are excellent for every situation. Obviously, since they are training room seats they must be comfortable and ergonomic,  it is essential because they will be used for several hours.

Now let’s see what are the main features to consider when we have to choose a chair for a training room:

  • Stackable chairs: to satisfy the needs of transport, for storage in the warehouse or for space optimization, it is a good solution to opt for stackable chairs.
  • Folding chairs: they are the ideal choice both in case that events are carried out and there is the need to transport the chairs in the chosen location or for space reasons.
  • Attachable chairs: these are excellent when there is the need to create more rows, they are ideal for driving school classrooms or in university classrooms. In this way the order will reign.
  • Chairs with writing desk: writing desk is a very important accessory the chairs should have, for students and all of those who carry out training courses in their classrooms; As it allows the use of tablets or notebooks in oreder to take notes during lessons or meetings. Also, it is important to have an anti-panic and tiltable writing desk .
  • Chairs with storage compartments: it is generally preferable to have teaching chairs equipped with a storage compartment where students can store their personal effects without leaving clutter on the desk or on the floor. Generally it is a grid placed under the chair, but we must keep in mind that this accessory prevents or limits its stackability.
  • Chair trolley: if you choose stackable chairs and you need to stack them often, you may find the trolley very useful. It is a practical trolley with wheels where you can store your chairs and move them from one room to another with extreme simplicity.
  • Chairs on beam: another solution often used in university classrooms to keep the seating tidy and to recover as much space as possible is that of chairs on a beam. The downside is that in this case the seat remains fixed and cannot be moved if needed.
  • Materials and coatings: when buying your meeting room chair, also consider the cladding. Materials such as wood, polypropylene and eco-leather are the most sanitizable materials, while fabrics tend to get dirty more easily and are more difficult to clean.

As we saw at the beginning of the article, there are many possible combinations for furnishing a meeting room and there are many types of chairs for training rooms that you can use, the important thing is that they are resistant in terms of use and that they return to the users who visit your company or school a good first impression.

Inside the training rooms, in addition, remember to add some elements that can relax your visitors, or material that can teach to students such as: interactive whiteboards, books and magazines, easy connections to the wi-fi network and don’t forget to include plants and other decorative accessories.

Here are some community chairs and teaching chairs  that Grendene has created for you.



Aris 660 chair with armrest
Aris 660 chair with armrest


				
		


			
			
			
			
		

	
	
 


 












	
	

	

		

			
		

	









	


	

	

		

			

	

		

			
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