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Short answer
Office task chairs are used all day, every day, so they need the toughest upholstery in the building: commonly 40,000 Martindale rubs or more, a tight weave that resists pilling, and a fabric that can be spot-cleaned. Meeting chairs and lounge seating need at least 30,000 rubs. Workstation screens and acoustic panels need a fabric that lets sound pass into the absorbent core. Check the fire requirement for the building and order from one dye batch.
Fabric by office use
| Use | Wear | Specify |
|---|---|---|
| Task chairs | All day, every day | Commonly 40,000 rubs or more; tight, pill-resistant weave |
| Meeting and training chairs | Frequent, shorter sittings | 30,000 rubs or more |
| Reception and lounge sofas | Visitors; heavy at times | 30,000 to 40,000 rubs; stain resistance |
| Workstation screens | Touched, pinned, little rubbing | Acoustically open fabric over an absorbent core |
| Acoustic wall panels | Little wear | Acoustically open fabric; fire performance |
See Martindale Rub Test. Project specifications often set their own figures; follow them.
Pilling and appearance
Office chairs fail more often from pilling and shine than from holes. Tight, smooth weaves and well-anchored yarns pill least; loose textures and fuzzy yarns pill most. Mid-tones and melanges hide wear and the marks of daily use. See Textured Upholstery Fabric.
Tip
Ask for a sample and rub it firmly with your palm for a minute. Fuzz or little balls on a sample will be much worse after a year on a task chair.
Fabrics that work
| Collection | Type | Rubs |
|---|---|---|
| YarnGuard PURIFY, REPEL | Performance velvet | 40,000 |
| BLAKE, MARC, VELA | Textured weaves | 40,000 |
| TEKUSU OMAKE | Flat weave | 40,000 |
| TEKUSU SUZUME | Texture | 40,000 |
Check each collection's specification and care instructions against the office cleaning routine.
Screens and acoustic panels
On acoustic panels and workstation screens, the fabric covers an absorbent core. It must let sound pass through to the core, so open, breathable weaves work better than coated or very dense fabrics. Ask the panel maker which fabrics their system has been tested with. See Upholstered Wall Panels and Noise-Reducing Curtains.
Fire safety and supply
- Fire performance: offices are commercial buildings; follow the project specification and local fire authority, and get the fabric's test report. See Hotel and Office Curtain Fabric.
- One dye batch for a whole floor or building, so colours match.
- Spares for replacing damaged seats later.
- Approved sample from the actual batch before production.
Watch out
Never assume a fabric meets a fire requirement because it is labelled commercial or contract-grade. Only a test report to the named standard proves it.
YarnGuard performance velvets
The JOTEX performance upholstery range, rated at 40,000 Martindale rubs. See the YarnGuard range.
Browse YarnGuard →
Frequently asked questions
What rub count does an office chair need?
Task chairs used all day commonly need 40,000 Martindale rubs or more; meeting chairs at least 30,000. Follow the project specification if it sets a figure.
Why do office chair fabrics pill?
Loose or fuzzy yarns rub up into small balls under constant use. Tight, smooth weaves with well-anchored yarns pill least.
What fabric is used on acoustic panels?
An open, breathable fabric that lets sound pass into the absorbent core. Coated or very dense fabrics reduce absorption.
Does office upholstery need to be fire-retardant?
Usually, yes, in commercial buildings. The standard comes from the project specification and local fire authority.
What colour office chair fabric hides wear best?
Mid-tones and melanges, such as charcoal, slate, taupe and blue-grey, which hide pilling, shine and marks.
Curtain maker, upholsterer or designer?
Specifications are public on every collection page. JOTEX dealers can log in for live stock and pricing, and our team can send samples or open a dealer account.