Why Schools Should Care About Furniture Renovation

Buying new furniture and paying for a major remodeling of space is expensive, time-consuming, and logistically complex. For many school districts, it’s difficult to fund large renovations & buy new furnishings. For major projects such as these, it’s important that these changes last 15 to 30 years, therefore making the wrong buying decisions could prove to be even more costly, sooner rather than later. Lead times for purchasing new furniture can be up to 4-6 weeks, or longer, which proves to be difficult when there are time constraints. Renovating and updating classroom and cafeteria furniture, when possible, can save the school a lot of time and money.

School furniture, in today’s world, needs to be able to meet a wide range of purposes and be multi-functional. It should also be dependable and durable, comfortable, and appealing. New-looking, well-kept furnishings, and surroundings help students & visitors have pride in the school. Matching furnishing colors to school colors also contribute to school spirit.

Whether you need to fix broken chairs, desks, or tables, or if you’re looking to give classrooms or the cafeteria a fresh look, you should consider renovating existing furniture. Choosing this route saves the school time and money. Not only will the school not have the large expense of buying new furnishings, but it also allows the existing furniture to last for many more years, saving money long term. Furniture renovation projects can also be completed quickly and efficiently without causing major disruptions.

To help guide you through the buying process for school furniture renovation parts, we put together this cheat sheet of the replacement parts we offer including highlights of each, videos, and links to learn more.

Cafeteria Table Replacement Parts

Stool Caps - Stool Cap brand cafeteria table stool tops have been developed to exceed the original manufacturers’ design quality and fit most cafeteria brands with one universal design. Made from the highest quality HDPE plastics they resist breakage from normal everyday usage. Choose from our Universal Cone Style Stool Caps or Universal Flat Style Stool Caps. Other brands available are Virco, NPS, AmTab, Krueger, Sico, & more.

Table Tops - Our rectangular replacement table tops are available with a Particle Board core or an MDF Fiberboard core, both with a minimum of 3/4in. thickness (MDF core is also available in 1-1/4in. thickness), as well as 4 sizes and a variety of colors. Other shapes available include Square, Half-Round & Half-Hexagon.

Bench Seats - The replacement cafeteria table benchtops are 3/4 in. thick with Particle Board core and are available with a standard T-Mold Edging or Armor Edging for additional durability.

Safety Latch - Replacement top safety latch for built-in cafeteria tables. The safety latch holds the table in the upright position.

Lock Rod Assembly - The replacement table lock rod assembly is designed for Scheiber tables.

Casters - The durable Midwest Cafeteria Table Replacement Stem Caster is threaded for easy installation & measures 4in. x 1-3/8in. with a 3/4in. x 3/8in. stem. Heavy-duty plate top casters are also available and come in 4in., 5in., or 6in. wheel diameters, swivel or non-swivel, & with or without brakes.

Table Edging - Replacement T-Mold Edging is installed on the edges of tables to eliminate sharp edges and corners and make for a more comfortable environment. Constructed of impact-resistant, flexible, polyethylene to make this a durable and easy to install option. Comes in a 250ft. roll. with a variety of sizes and colors to choose from. 

Replacement Chair Seats

Virco 9000 Chair Shells - These cost-effective chair shells can be used on a number of different chair frames to replace old or worn-out seating. All chair shells come undrilled and can be attached to your chair frame by simply using a nut and bolt or by using rivets. Intended to be used on Virco 9000 Series Chairs. Available in a variety of colors and sizes to fit your specific situation.

Scholar Craft Chair Shells - These chair shell replacements are for the Scholar Craft 120 Series, made of superior high-density polyethylene material. The design promotes comfort and the correct seating posture for enhanced learning.

Virco 2000 Chair Shells - Replacement chair shells for Virco 2000 Series chairs and desks feature a waterfall edge and inverted triangular slit in the back. These seats promote proper posture, leg circulation, and provide adequate ventilation for comfortable seating for long periods. 

Solid Plastic Replacement Seats & Seat Backs - The solid plastic design is constructed to resist scuffing and marking as well as providing an easy-to-clean surface. They are a great fit for classroom chairs or desk-chair combos.

Universal Replacement Seats & Backs - Replacement ABS plastic seats and seat backs will fit most chair and desk brands. Features include cross-web support design and large mounting blocks to securely mount to chair and desk frames, with different mounting hole spacing. Ergonomic design provides additional edge support that reduces potential flexing or cracking. 

Replacement Desk Parts

Desk Tops - Hard Plastic Replacement Desk Tops are constructed of the highest quality 5/8 inch thick solid plastic that is impervious to a ballpoint pen, nail polish, and many other commonly used substances.

Desk Top Lifters, Brackets & Spring Sets - Desk Top Lifter Springs combine smooth lifting and closing action with heavy-duty construction. Made from heavy-gauge steel and all riveted pieces ensure that your springs will stay functional for years to come. Choose from right-handed or left-handed desk lifters. U-shaped desk brackets function well for securing desktops, seats, or backs to the tubing. Lid Spring Sets are sold in pairs only, one right hand and one left hand. 

You can even worry about replacing teacher's desks to give your classroom and employees a better learning and teaching environment.

Q-Ball™ Renewal Chair Glides

Q-Ball™ Renewal Glides - This investment pays for itself within one year, just in floor maintenance savings. Q-Ball™ Renewal Glides retrofit ALL existing school furniture. It also gives you the flexibility to use your furniture on any flooring surface; carpet, VCT, tile, or hardwood without worrying about scratching, damages, and high maintenance costs to keep your floors shining like new. Available with felt or without felt.

Felt Insert for Renewal Glides- This renewable surface can be changed out for pennies to give you a fresh, clean contact to your floor. This felt insert is compatible with all Two-Piece Q-ball™ Glides & Q-ball™ Renewal Glides.

Flooring Saver Kit with Glide Remover -Flooring Saver Kit a great tool for determining the right product for your floor scratching solutions. The kit includes:

• Big Bang™ Glide Remover Tool: RT8
• Q-Ball™ Glides: F71- 5/8" Q-Ball Renewal Glide, SGF79- 1-1/8" Q-Ball Glide w/felt Cap, Q42STAR- 1" Q-Ball w/star top, Q44STAR- 1-1/8" w/star top
• Swivel Glides: G4200- 5/8" O.D. metal-based swivel glide, GPE4215- 8/8" O.D. nylon-based swivel glide, G4406-1/4"- 20x1" metal base adjustable glide, GS6638N- 1-1/8" O.D. nylon-based swivel glide
• Chair Tips: CT717T- 7/8" Rubber Chair Tip, GT703PT-7/8" Plastic Chair Tip 
• Glide Caps: C38R- Carpet Cap Chair glide for 1-1/4" Deep Style Nylon base, C33- Carpet Cap Chair Glide for 1-1/4" base, CAP09- 1-1/4" nylon glide cap, NM09- 1-1/4" snap-on rubber cap
• Insert: TSQ730P- " I.D. angled tip
• Sled Leg Glide: TK15- Sled Leg Zip Glide for 7/16" tubing

 

We hope that you found this guide helpful. To learn more about solutions to common school maintenance concerns, including replacing restroom toilet partitions, please visit the School Fix^® Blog.