On the face of it, reupholstering seems like an excellent idea; after all, you save on the cost of new frames, improve your environmental credentials, and might even reduce lead times, or do you? Below, we have answered some frequently asked questions, which we hope will help you decide if reupholstery is really the right choice for you.
- Is reupholstery better for the environment than buying new?
On the face of it, you would think reupholstery would be more environmentally friendly than buying new. However, it is only the frame that can be reused after stripping down, cleaning, and treating. The best option is to find new homes for old furniture, reuse it as a whole, as we do at Barons, or recycle the individual materials for other uses. These options also minimise logistics and allow furniture to be reused where possible.
- How much cheaper is it to reupholster than to buy new?
Reupholstery is more costly than buying new, so it is not a cost-saving undertaking. The reality is that reupholstery is a very time-consuming process that includes stripping down the furniture to its frame, cleaning, and then treating it before the upholstery can begin. The increased time and logistics all add to the cost, so if budget is an issue, buy new.
- What guarantees or warranties would I receive on reupholstered furniture?
Guarantees and warranties are extremely limited on furniture; that is because most guarantees and warranties focus on the frame of the furniture, and as this is an old frame, it could not be covered by the types of guarantees and warranties you would receive with a new piece of furniture.
- How do I know if my reupholstered furniture is compliant with the latest fire regulations?
Furniture compliance, fabrics, webbing, and fillings (CHMHR foam) need to be tested together to achieve BS 7176, low, medium, and high FR regulations; this becomes more complex and difficult to achieve when you reupholster as you mix new and older materials. Also, the spray used on the original frame may no longer be compliant with current regulations. If the reupholstery is completed by a contract furniture specialist who understands the standards required within the healthcare industry, old non-compliant materials can be replaced and frames re-sprayed and treated, so in most cases compliance can be reached, but this comes at a cost.
- How do I decide whether to reupholster or buy new?
Reupholstery is a great option to have if you have some much-beloved furniture you or your residents wish to keep that simply isn’t available anymore. If your desire to keep that furniture design style outweighs the cost implications, done professionally using the right compliant materials and treatments, reupholstery can give such pieces a new lease of life for you to enjoy.
- What are the main advantages of buying new?
Buying new gives you all the latest designs and fabrics that are up-to-date with current legislation and come with a full UK manufacturer frame warranty. It also reduces the impact on residents, as they don’t need to wait for the reupholstery process to be completed, which leaves them without furniture during the process. Buying new also gives greater choice, including new designs, and is more cost-effective.
In short, buy new for greater choice, better compliance, and peace of mind! Reupholster if you want to retain furniture that is beloved but no longer available.
