Quick Guide to Refurbishing Fixed Seating in Auditoria

1
Quick Guide to Refurbishing Fixed Seating in
Auditoria
2

• There are a wide range of establishments in the
  UK with auditoria from universities with multiple
  lecture theatres to independent cinemas with one
  screen.
• Whether it is a venue for education or
  entertainment, the majority of these facilities
  will have a fixed seating installation which will
  be subject to high frequency traffic.

3

• The type of fixed seating used in auditoria is
  designed to be robust and hard-wearing yet
  comfortable to sit in for several hours. 
• Seats and backs are usually deeply cushioned and
  upholstered and are supported by sturdy metal
  frames.

4
(No Transcript)
5

• Auditorium seating is a high-value, long-term
  purchase designed to provide decades of service
  before it might need replacing.

6

• However, with continual usage over a long period
  of time, seating upholstery will eventually start
  to show signs of wear and tear.
• A great thing about fixed seating in auditoria is
  that when wear or damage occurs, it is usually
  possible to have it refurbished rather than
  replacing it completely. 

7

• Obviously, there will sometimes be scenarios when
  refurbishment is not an option but in venues
  where the seat frames are still going strong and
  the overall seat design is still fit for purpose
  then it is definitely worth considering.

8

• Vintage Fixed Seating
• In historical venues such as Victorian theatres,
  for example, you can often find the original
  seating still in situ having undergone various
  levels of refurbishment over the years.
• This type of vintage seating often features
  period detailing such as ornate metal castings
  which due to their nature and age can suffer from
  accidental damage and decay.

9

• Despite this, the overall frame structures are
  usually still strong and stable, and it is often
  possible to create new metal castings to replace
  any that are damaged.
•  It is not uncommon for seats over 100 years old
  to be suitable for refurbishment and many theatre
  and cinema venues with vintage fixed seating
  choose this option in order to maintain the
  heritage of their building and the ever popular
  vintage style that goes hand in hand with this.

10

• Modern Fixed Seating
• Whilst theatres and cinemas are the types of
  venues most likely to have vintage seating, many
  of course are fitted with more modern seats, as
  are lecture theatres, conference venues and other
  auditoria.

11

• There are certain styles of modern seating
  which may no longer be fit for purpose as they
  could now look dated or old fashioned rather than
  having sought after vintage style, or they may
  not provide sufficient space or comfort.
• In these cases, replacement is often the only
  option if establishments are to provide their
  patrons with the high-quality facilities they
  expect.

12

• However, for those establishments that are still
  happy with the design and features of their
  seating then refurbishment could be an ideal
  solution when seats start to become worn.

13

• Regardless of the age of the fixed seating, in
  addition to natural deterioration there is also a
  small risk of malicious damage such as the
  occasional torn seat or graffiti which needs to
  be monitored and repaired.

14

• Keep a Record
• If you do decide to commission a new seating
  installation rather than opt for refurbishment
  then it is advisable to keep a record of the
  manufacturer/supplier and the details of the seat
  type and upholstery fabric in case you or your
  successor needs to organise refurbishment of any
  seats in the future. 

15

• Similarly, if you are having seating refurbished
  in a different fabric or colour then keep a note
  of this for future reference.
• As in any company, systems and staff change over
  time and in 10 or 20 years time your seating
  supplier may no longer have a record of the
  fabric used on your seats.

16

• Why Choose Refurbishment?
• In most cases refurbishment will be a cheaper
  option than replacement seating.
• This is because it is generally just the seats,
  backs and arms that require refurbishment work.

17

• Seat frames rarely need replacing and often only
  require a light sand and re-paint or even just a
  clean.
• With most types of fixed seating in auditoria it
  is usually possible to refurbish just those parts
  which require attention. 
• This is clearly of great benefit to
  establishments with a limited budget and is a
  good reason why it is wise to keep note of the
  specific fabric used on the seats.

18

• Whether you choose to refurbish all the fixed
  seating in your auditorium or to identify and
  refurbish only those components with noticeable
  wear and tear, there are various options when it
  comes to the refurbishment services on offer.

19

• Range of Refurbishment Services for Fixed Seating
  in Auditoria
•  
• Fabric
• The basic level of reupholstery involves
  stripping the existing fabric and recovering with
  new.

20

• Where only certain components are being renovated
  then your supplier would need to source the same
  fabric and colourway as existing or a very close
  match. If you are refurbishing all of the seats
  in your auditorium then you can obviously choose
  a completely different fabric or colour if
  preferred.

21

• Foams
• With prolonged usage, seat and back foams can
  eventually start to sag. 
• How long it takes before this occurs can vary
  greatly.

22

• It is common for replacement foams to be fitted
  as part of fixed seating refurbishment and this
  is something that would need to be assessed on an
  individual project basis.
• Foams can also suffer damage where they have been
  exposed through threadbare seats or arms.

23

• Wooden Panels
• Some types of auditorium seating feature exposed
  wooden panels on the back and/or underneath the
  seat.
• As part of the refurbishment process this can
  either be removed, sanded and re-polished/re-paint
  ed, or it can be upholstered over to give your
  seating a different look. 

24

• In contrast, many vintage seats might have had
  traditional wooden detailing previously covered
  over and you may now want to uncover this and
  make a feature of it.
• Metalwork
• As the most robust part of the seat structure,
  metalwork stands the test of time and any
  refurbishment work is usually just cosmetic. 
•  

25

• Seat frames often do not require any attention at
  all and can simply be left in situ whilst other
  seating components are removed for
  refurbishment. 
• Frames which are looking weathered can be sanded
  and repainted to freshen them up.

26

• Ornate Castings
• Where traditional seats feature metal castings,
  it is possible to replicate these if they are
  damaged.
• Once painted reproduction castings look exactly
  like the originals and help venues retain their
  original style.

27

• Below are some examples of the different elements
  of fixed seating refurbishment in auditoria.

28

• Period detailing on seat backs was hidden under
  wooden panels for decades but was uncovered and
  renovated during the refurbishment process.

29

• A change from blue to purple upholstery fabric
  changed the whole look of this auditorium, wooden
  arms were upholstered and all exposed wood was
  sanded and polished.

30

• Before refurbishment metalwork was looking tired
  and flaky, arms were threadbare and painted seat
  boards were suffering from severe wear and tear. 
• These seats were totally transformed with a rich
  red velvet fabric which covered the whole seat
  whilst metalwork was sanded and repainted.

31

• A new metal casting was made to replicate a
  traditional style.

32

• Get a Quote
• If you want to look at the option of refurbishing
  your existing seats but are unsure whether its
  possible, speak to potential suppliers who are
  offering these services. 
• If you send them photographs of your seats they
  can usually give a good indication of what might
  be required and provide a quotation.

33

• As a seating manufacturer with close to 90 years
  experience, Evertaut offers a full range of
  refurbishment services and has worked with
  establishments across the UK to help revive their
  auditoria.
• The Refurbishment Process
• If you decide that refurbishment is the route you
  want to take your supplier will usually come to
  your venue to remove all the parts that are to be
  attended to. 

34

• This could just be the seat and back or the
  entire seating structure.
• For establishments where the auditorium needs to
  remain in use it is possible to carry out
  refurbishment works in stages so that a block of
  seating at a time is dealt with.
• This obviously does incur additional costs
  however due to the number of visits that will be
  required.

35

• If budget is an issue then you can keep costs
  down by removing and/or refitting the seating
  components yourself.
• Once removed, your supplier will take all
  components back to their premises where they will
  carry out the required refurbishment works before
  returning to refit everything.

36

• Following refurbishment your auditorium seating
  should look as good as new and provide many years
  of service before it requires any further
  attention.

37

• Thank You
• Visit Us
• www.evertaut.co.uk