Shopping Cart
Office Chair Glossary
Armrests - Support the arms, reducing the work of the shoulders and possibly the upper arms. However, if used incorrectly, armrests can inhibit the free motion of the arms used during activities such as typing.
Bridge - A work surface that is perpendicular to the main desk, and usually not quite as deep. It can be a little lower than the work surface as well.
Credenza - A desk-height, closed cabinet used for holding papers, office supplies, etc., that often matches existing furniture.
Cubicle - A table or desk that usually has three sides extending above the writing surface to serve as partitions. Although cubicle arrangements can be customized, they are generally made for semi-private individual work, and are great for providing workers in a single room with privacy and noise reduction.
Direct Pressure Laminate - Sometimes this material is referred to as melamine, but it is actually a sheet of melamine bonded to particleboard. It is a much less durable material than high-pressure laminate.
Ergonomics - The applied science of equipment design, as for the workplace, intended to maximize productivity by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort.
Filing Cabinet - A cabinet with multiple drawers that is used to store files and other papers efficiently and safely. Depending on an office's needs, the cabinet can be wooden or metal, and can also be fire-resistant.
Folding Chair - A chair that can be collapsed and stored easily.
High-Back Chairs - Chairs with backs that extend to at least the upper back, and are sometimes even high enough to support the neck and head. High-back chairs are often referred to as "executive" chairs.
High-Pressure Laminate - A laminate composed of six to eight layers of building material that have been bonded with resin, then topped with a melamine plastic facing. Often, high-pressure laminates are used in office furniture to add durability to a piece of furniture without sacrificing its appearance.
Hutch - Storage component that sits above a credenza. Usually with cabinet doors and shelves.
Laminate - A material formed by fusing two separate materials together. The term laminate can be used to describe both high-pressure laminate and direct pressure laminate.
Low-Back Chairs - Also known as "task chairs." These chairs support the low- to mid-back. They are versatile and can be used anywhere from at-desk work to conference settings.
Low-Pressure Laminate - Sometimes referred to at melamine, this material is really a melamine sheet bonded to a single particleboard.
Melamine - A plastic resin used to coat direct pressure laminate, and used between the layers of high-density laminate. Melamine may also refer to direct pressure laminate, which is the less durable of the two laminates available for office furniture.
Mid-Back Chairs - Chairs that have backs that cover the mid- to upper-back. These chairs are not only popular for office floor set-ups, but also offer ideal support.
Office Chair - A chair designed for office use. This type of chair is very utilitarian and comes in varying styles.
Occasional Table - An end table or a coffee table. These tables can be used to store magazines, books, flower arrangements, etc. and are a great addition to waiting and reception rooms.
Paper Management - A system of trays that manages the paper at the work surface.
Pedestal - A small file cabinet that fits under a work surface. Usually contains two box drawers and one file-height drawer for storage.
Return - A work surface that is perpendicular to the main work surface or desk, and often stationed lower. The bridge may be a bit shallower than the main work surface as well.
Stacking Chairs - A set of chairs designed to stack on top of each other for easy storage.
Swivel Chair - A chair that can swivel on its base any where from 90 degrees, 180 degrees, to even 360 degrees.
Systems Furniture - A general term for cubicles and workstations.
Traditional Chair - Generally larger (taller and wider) than other office chairs with heavier upholstery and general support that is not always adjustable. Usually associated with period styles (ie. 18th century, Transitional, Contemporary, etc.)
Transaction Top - A counter top at a reception or administrative desk at approximately 42 inches above the floor designed for a standing person to conduct a transaction with a seated person.
Wall Track - A piece of metal mounted to the wall so that systems furniture, cubicles, and workstations can mount directly to the wall instead of a panel.
Workstation - A table or desk with a three-sided partition around it, usually made for individual work. However, workstations are highly customizable, and are often used to reduce noise and provide privacy to individual employees working in a single room.
