r.o.i. Design has been supplying their clients with furnishings for more than 20 years and the need for durability in casegoods (tables, storage units, non-seating furniture) is a budgetary and maintenance must. Buying a casegood for your commercial or hospitality use should last more than 10 years.
Many of our clients have opted to buy residential-grade furnishings based on their sense of price and value. We have several examples when these same clients called after 18 months, saying they need to replace the furniture because of poor wear, the inability to maintain, or general breakdown.
Contract furniture has these qualities that many residential furniture pieces lack:
- Frame Construction: The base frame is hardwood or steel, with fewer pieces and joints. Joints in the frame are reinforced. Non-exposed surfaces are fully finished/sealed.
- Maintainable Tops: Many contract grade casegoods offer laminate top options, versus wood veneer. In many cases, stone and resin tops are also available. These are more durable finishes that permit typical cleaning using non-caustic cleaners.
- Internal Hardware: Hinges, drawer glides, and feet glides all are tougher than residential grade.
- Warranties: Most contract casegoods are sold through qualified distributors who can advocate with the manufacturers when issues arise. Most contract manufacturers offer a 1-year warranty on frame and construction issues.
r.o.i. Design supports all our local and regional office furniture providers. We have been engaged with clients to provide more “residential in feel” furnishings for lobbies, lounges, and break rooms.
When we are asked to procure furniture for other spaces in a project, we use two local manufacturers or work with a local office furniture provider.
Let us know if we can help you with your furniture procurement.
