Contract Grade Furniture Vs Residential Furniture

Whether you’re buying new furniture to upgrade your brand’s image or because you’re trying to instill a new company culture and up morale, there are quite a few considerations to keep in mind to help you choose between residential or contract grade furniture.

 While residential and contract grade furniture may look the same there can be vast differences in the durability of the materials used. Contract grade furniture manufacturers take into consideration the fact that the furniture will be in constant use by different people. This means that the wood is tougher and usually finished using polyurethane coatings which help protect the wood from high levels of wear and tear and constant cleaning.

Residential furniture is typically made using softer wood types like rubberwood and pine which is one of the more popular woods for residential furniture. While softwood is easier to turn into furniture making it a cheaper material, it is also less scratch resistant. On the other hand, wood table tops and chairs for commercial use are made from resistant hardwoods such as maple, beechwood and oak.

When choosing new furniture for your place of business, it’s important to keep in mind the differences between residential and contract grade furniture. Here are a few common considerations that come into play when designing your space:

• Durability 
• Maintenance
• Design
• Sustainability
• Longevity