FAQ

Switching from pews to chairs is a popular choice for churches looking to modernize their space and ministry. The primary benefits are:

• Flexibility: Chairs transform your sanctuary into a multi-purpose space. Unlike fixed pews, they can be rearranged for services, weddings, banquets, or community events, allowing you to use your building to its full potential throughout the week.
• Comfort: Modern church chairs are ergonomically designed with features, like lumbar support and thick foam cushions, offering better individual comfort than traditional pews.
• Increased capacity: Individual chairs often allow you to seat more people comfortably in the same amount of space compared to pews, which tend to have more unused space.
• Modern aesthetics: Chairs can instantly update and refresh the look of your sanctuary, creating a more contemporary and welcoming atmosphere.

• Comfort: Your congregation may be seated for an hour or more, so comfort is crucial. Look for chairs with good lumbar support and high-quality foam. The best test is to get a sample chair for your committee to try.
• Durability: Church chairs must withstand constant use. A strong steel frame and a solid plywood foundation (not particle board) are signs of a durable, long-lasting chair.
• Functionality: Think about how you will use the chairs. Do you need them to stack for storage? Should they link together to form neat rows? Do you need accessories, like bookracks or card pockets?
• Aesthetics: The chairs are a major part of your sanctuary’s look. Choose a style, fabric, and frame color that complements your church’s architecture.
• Congregation demographics: Consider the needs of your members. An older congregation may need more chairs with armrests for support, while a church with young families will need durable, stain-resistant fabric.

The number of chairs you’ll need depends on the size and layout of your space, as well as how you plan to use it. A good rule of thumb is to allow about 7 square feet per chair for standard row seating, which accounts for the chair itself, aisle space, and comfortable movement.

Keep in mind that you may need extra space for aisles, a stage, accessibility seating, or multipurpose areas, which can reduce total seating capacity.

We offer a wide range of church seating, including stackable chairs, interlocking pew chairs, and multipurpose fellowship chairs.

Yes, we offer versatile seating options that are ideal for fellowship halls, classrooms, youth rooms, and more. Our selection includes folding chairs, banquet chairs, and tables to complement any church setting.

Absolutely. Many of our chairs can be customized with your choice of fabric, frame finish, and accessories. We’re happy to help you create the perfect chair for your worship space.

We offer standard sizes for our chairs, and you can see this information in each chair’s specs.

Unlike many competitors who weld only three sides of each joint, we fully weld all four sides and use 1-inch weld lines for superior strength. Combined with precision mandrel bending, our chair frames can support up to 1,700 pounds (1,000 pounds for the Jubilee PewChair™). They are among the strongest available.

The frame is the chair’s skeleton, and its strength determines the chair’s durability. The most important factor is the steel gauge.

With steel, a lower gauge number means thicker, stronger steel. The industry standard for a quality church chair is 16-gauge steel. Cheaper chairs often use weaker 18-gauge steel, which is about 30% weaker and more likely to bend or break.

ChurchPlaza uses only True 16-gauge, cold-rolled steel for maximum strength. Also, look for smooth, mandrel-bent curves (which prevent kinking) and a durable, chip-resistant powder-coated finish.

The foam in the cushion is the key to long-term comfort. Many budget chairs use cheap

“slab foam,” which is sliced from a large block. This type of foam has a weak structure that breaks down over time, causing the cushion to flatten and “bottom out.”

High-quality chairs use high-density virgin foam, which is created one cushion at a time in a mold. This creates a denser, more resilient foam that maintains its shape and supportive comfort. ChurchPlaza’s “Comfortplus™” system uses a dual-layer of virgin foam to provide the perfect balance of soft comfort and lasting support.

Our fabrics are commercial-grade, so they’re tested for key performance metrics like:

• Durability: resistance to wear and tear from repeated use
• Color quality and longevity: designed to maintain vibrant color over time
• Cleanability: most are made from stain-resistant fabric

Another important feature is ChurchPlaza’s MoistureBarrier™, which protects against spills and perspiration, preserving the foam core.

Each fabric is lab-tested to meet federal and state safety standards, ensuring they are free from hazardous materials and certified safe for long-term use.

Yes, our chairs feature high-density foam cushions, contoured seat backs, and ergonomic designs to ensure comfort throughout extended services.

“Ganging” or “interlocking” is a feature that connects chairs together to form neat, continuous rows. This is a highly recommended feature because it creates a tidy look. Ganged pew chairs stay in perfectly straight rows, providing the orderly appearance of pews with the flexibility of chairs.

Connecting the chairs helps create a more traditional, communal feel for congregations used to pews.

Additionally, ganging devices are designed to meet state fire code requirements for assembly, ensuring that your seating arrangement is both safe and compliant.

Yes, we offer competitive pricing and volume discounts.

You can reach out to us by contacting our team via phone or our contact form, and we will respond to you.

Yes, sample chairs are available for our pew chair series for churches considering the purchase of 100 or more chairs. Shipping fees for most samples are waived. Please contact a sales representative for more details.

Definitely. Our experienced team is happy to guide you through the selection process based on your space, budget, and needs.

Yes, ChurchPlaza offers financing options to help churches and ministries acquire quality seating without straining their budgets. We partner with Hampton Ridge Financial to provide flexible financing solutions tailored to various financial situations.

While it’s tempting to choose the lowest-priced chair, it’s often more expensive in the long run. A better approach is to consider the chair’s total cost of ownership.

Low-cost chairs often use cheap “slab foam” that can break down and become uncomfortable in as little as five to eight years, forcing you to buy new chairs all over again.

A high-quality chair may cost a little more upfront, but it could last twice as long as the more cost-effective choice. ChurchPlaza’s factory-direct model provides this long-term value by combining superior materials with a fair price.

Yes, ChurchPlaza chairs are backed by a 25-year warranty on the entire steel frame and structural seat/back foundations under normal seating use. The foam is covered for 10 years against breakdown affecting comfort, and upholstery is warranted for up to 10 years (5 years for sewing workmanship), depending on use and location. Certain exclusions apply, such as damage from misuse, UV exposure, or outdoor use.

• Frame care: Clean chair frames periodically with a mild soap or non-caustic cleaner to remove dirt and perspiration. ChurchPlaza’s steel-to-steel fastening systems are durable and maintenance-free under normal use.
• Fabric care: ChurchPlaza uses durable, moisture-resistant polypropylene fabrics that are easy to maintain and resistant to bacteria and allergens. For spills or stains, blot immediately, use cold water, and apply a mild cleaner if needed. Most stains lift easily, but professional cleaning may be required in rare cases.

Yes, we offer a range of replacement parts, including glides, stack buttons, plastic card pockets, and cushions for certain chairs.