When it comes to choosing the office chair that you will use, there are many factors that you should consider. One of them is the office chair base and whether it would be the best for you. Now, you may think and ask yourself the question, ‘are office chair bases universal?’ Well, you have come to the right page.
Most chair bases are universal and they will fit most office chairs. Make sure that the chair base has two inches gas lift center hole. The base should also be able to house the standard office chair gas cylinder for it to fully fit your current office chair.
An office chair is an important piece of equipment to have in an office so you have to make sure they are comfortable and are the perfect fit for you. In this article, you will know all about office chair bases such as what materials are used to make them, the sizes available, and whether non-wheeled or wheeled is the best choice. Aside from that, I will also discuss how you can replace the office hair base and how you can determine if the base will fit your current chair.
Office Chair Bases: Are They All Made Equal?
Not all chair bases are created the same thus they are not universal, whether it is a chair with wheels or no wheels. As mentioned above, they are differentiated by the materials used, the size, and if they have wheels or not.
There are different variations of office chair bases that you should know when you are shopping for chairs whether it is for work or for gaming.
Materials Used for Office Chair Bases
There are different materials that are used as an office chair base. These materials are plastic, steel, and aluminum. The most popular material that is used in office chair bases is plastic. However, it is also the most brittle out of all the materials that are mentioned above.
Plastic can break easily, especially when there’s plenty of pressure is applied to the base. Also, plastic can be brittle as time passes. So, when you like a chair with a plastic base you need to ensure that the average weight as well as be prepared to replace them after two to three years.
For steel and aluminum office chair base material, you can expect them to be the best material. It is heavy-duty and is considered to be the highest quality base to have. They are lightweight and not easily broken even after years of use.
The Size of the Office Chair Base
The size of the office chair base is usually the full length of the leg and multiply by two. Also, the diameter of the circle is considered where the axle is placed. The following method of measuring the base will help you know whether the base will fit you.
Most office chair base sizes are between 24 to 28 inches.
Choosing a Wheeled or Non-Wheeled Office Base Chair
As mentioned above, there are office chairs that are designed with or without wheels. For chairs without wheels, you will notice that there is no base at the bottom. The legs of the chair are usually attached to the seat foundation.
There are some parts of the chair’s structure that can be attached to the chair while you are assembling it. If you find casters on your chair, you will see that it has five poles poking out in the middle. In this base type, you will attach the axle ad the caster.
The axle can be found in the middle and the caster would be found at the end of every leg of the chair.
Replacing Office Base Chair: Is it Possible?
Yes, you can remove the base of an office and chair. Since this is possible, you can also replace them with new ones. Let’s say you have a plastic office chair base at the moment, and you want something that’s more durable, you can replace it with a steel or an aluminum one.
You can find office chair bases and replacement parts in any office supply store or even online. When you replace an old office chair base with a new one, it will save you plenty of money. There’s no need to buy a whole new chair!
Removing the base is pretty easy since you just have to hold the base firmly and then pull at the same time turning it counter-clockwise. The base and gas cylinder should be pulled out as one piece. You can find the gas cylinder hidden inside the base of the chair.
Aside from that, you can also use a rubber mallet or hammer with a wooden block to strike the bottom edge of the cylinder. Do this until the base is separated from the cylinder. Ensure that you hold the chair base with the other hand so the entire chair won’t move.
Determine How the Base Will Fit in your Office Chair
When you purchase a chair, it will come with the base included as part of the entire chair assembly. However, if you want to change the base you would need to consider different factors.
Know Your Base Preferences
In choosing your preferred chair, you would need to determine if you want one with a wheel or no wheel. The first thing that you need to consider is to decide what material as well as the base size you want.
Most of the chairs that you will see will have wheels and the main reason for that is the increased productivity. The wheels will help you move around easily, especially when there’s plenty of space to move around in your office.
There’s no need to stand up from one place to another. All you have to do is roll the chair wherever you want, may get paper from a cabinet nearby, or even print paper from the printer from another table in your office.
It will save you a lot of time and effort from sitting to standing up and walking towards the place where you need to go.
Now, there are also disadvantages when it comes to office chairs that have wheels. Since there’s no need to move around, you are most likely stuck to your chair. It can put plenty of strain on your back muscles and you will not get the exercise you will need throughout the workday.
When it comes to chairs without wheels, the main disadvantage is their lack of mobility. However, you do have the choice to get up and stretch your legs from time to time.
The Size of Your WorkSpace
Let’s say that your office has a wide floor space and your desk has plenty of foot area underneath, you can choose any base size. If you are a bit heavier than the average weight, it is best to pick the longer base. Office chair bases that are around 27 to 28 inches are the best size for you.
Choosing this size of the base can provide extra support to your weight. When you don’t have enough floor space in your office, it is best to choose a shorter base that is around 24 to 25 inches long. Also, choosing a non-wheeled office chair would be the best for you.
Even if you have a big office space, you may still prefer a non-wheeled base. It is totally okay since the function and the look of your office chair would be based on your choice as well as how comfortable you are on the chair.
What is the Office Chair Base?
The office chair base is a pretty important part of an office chair. Their main function is to provide stability. Aside from that, it is used for movement when made with the attached casters and the materials are made from steel, aluminum, metal as well as polypropylene.
All office chair comes with a base and they can be made from the materials that are mentioned above. The most stable chair that you can find on the market is a chair that comes with five legs and a large diameter that will add extra stability.
Steel office base is usually the most durable and it is also the heaviest. It represents a solution that is durable and can handle heavy weight as well as huge pressure. Metal is lighter than steel as you may know and it will provide the chair with a more mobile profile.
Lastly, polypropylene materials are often used for some office chairs. It is lightweight but it is commonly not meant for intensive use. Heavier users are usually advised to look for a metal or aluminum office chair base to support their weight.
Every chair comes with a maximum user weight capacity so it is best to take a look at this in the product description when you are shopping for a new office chair.
Conclusion
Office chair bases can be universal but you need to make sure that you choose the best material for your weight and comfort. If you want to easily move around in your office, choose a chair that has wheels. If you want to move around from time to time, then choose a chair that doesn’t have wheels. Either way, your office chair should make you comfortable during your work hours.
