Blog - Page 12 of 27 - Carroll Seating Company

Published: 10 June 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Locker Solutions

Children today have a lot of very valuable possessions that they carry with them. With brand name sneakers costing upwards of $150 per pair, jeans at $65, and jackets even more costly, just the outfit that he or she changes out of it worth a great deal. However, when one also adds in the value of the smartphone, mini tablet, laptop, and other such belongings found in his or her backpack, the price tag on the contents within each full locker skyrockets. The kids want to know that their belongings are safe, and those of lesser morals are obviously tempted.

The trouble is that we don’t want our kids to worry about things like phones and other such belongings when they are changing for physical education or for an athletic practice. We are trying to encourage kids to set aside thoughts of technology, in order to work more physical activity into their day-to-day lives.

Therefore, it is important to provide them a safe place to store their favorite pair of shoes and that very expensive new cell. There are a few things to keep in mind as you design a new locker room.

While security cameras can be good at deterring some thieves, the majority will quickly learn where they are located and how to get what they want without being detected. Furthermore, there is an issue of privacy when it comes to cameras, which discourages their use in areas where students may be changing. That being said, cameras are a good tool, but shouldn’t be relied on as the only wall of defense.
Coded entries are generally considered the best approach to security. Asking students to remember to bring a padlock with them each and every time is a bit much. For this reason, many facilities will choose built-in, coded locks. These lockers are built to automatically lock when closed, which means that no one has to remember to use a padlock.

Carroll Seating can accommodate all of your locker room needs, so you can provide a clean, inviting, and, most importantly, safe place for students to transition into the physically active parts of the day. Give us a call at 847-434-0909 to order your system or visit us online for more information.

Published: 2 June 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

The Lyons Township High School auditorium was in need of updating. School administration hired general contractor Henry Bros Co. for a major school renovation that involved the auditorium, school cafeterias, locker rooms and utility areas. Henry Bros Co. worked with the design team at Carroll Seating to plan a full update their auditorium. Originally built in 1929, the building faced many challenges including tricky sloping.

Here is the auditorium before:

When all options were discussed, the design team chose Hussey’s Quattro Seats. The modular Quattro Collection is built on four superb core styles, each featuring a chair back created for a distinct aesthetic and practical effect. The classic series was chosen for its timeless style, great look and durable polymer outer panel.

Here is a photo after the Carroll Seating installation:

The team at Carroll Seating was pleased with the finished outcome of this auditorium that now seats over 400 patrons. The Carroll Seating team hopes that Lyons Township High School will enjoy it for many school years to come. For more information about this auditorium project, please visit the Carroll Seating website or call us in Elk Grove, IL at 847-434-0909.

Published: 27 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Gym and Sports Equipment

Jazzing up your gym is with customized products is an important part of crafting your school’s personality. It can increase school spirit, build community pride and really fire up your fans. The right products will improve safety by blocking access to dangerous areas as well as dressing up your bleachers. You can use a custom accessory package to highlight your sponsors so it might even amp up your fundraising efforts too.

A customized gym is not limited to a painted floor. You can take your team logo and mascot from the floor, up the walls, across the bleachers and all the way to the ceiling. Here are just a few options that could take your space from a drab basic gym to a custom coliseum.

If your gym is a little behind the times and needs a total redo, a total custom package is what you need. This is a top to bottom makeover with all the bells and whistles. This graphics package will make an impression on all of your guests, no doubt about it! Imagine an extreme bleacher logo stretching across your bleachers, open or closed. From the stair risers to the courtside seats, to the bleachers, rails and media platform, every surface can be branded with custom colors and logos.

Not every space needs the head to toe makeover; some just need a little something extra. The impact of step signs and graphic courtside seat graphics shouldn’t be overlooked nor underestimated. This is where the eyes of your fans and visitors will land most often so they’re a great place for a little update. During the game, all eyes are on the court. It’s only natural to dress that area well and the courtside strip is too often ignored.

All eyes fall on the stair risers, too. With each step you can emphasize what means most to your team and school. Your risers could list your core values, display your team’s name or add punch to your spirit message. Your aisles can do more than just carry feet; they can carry your message.

Those same messages can also help protect your fans and students. The ends of your bleachers can pose a danger. It’s an area that often falls victim to vandalism as well. No one of any age should be able to easily access this area when the bleachers are out. An easy to install safety end closure curtain can secure this spot with a sense of style. They attach permanently on old or new bleachers and could serve as a very visible “billboard” for major sponsors.

For the ultimate in game side seating comfort, a seat back is just the thing. Since they back your team, treat your season ticket holders or boosters to a little backing of their own. Courtside seating modules, spacers and backrests can be combined to support your fans as much as they support you. They are ergonomically designed and provide excellent mid-back support. Spacers provide about 25% more personal space for your guests and that will get people talking. You can even add cup holders to cut back on spills and make postgame clean-up less of a chore.

Enhancing your courts makes a difference. It’s time to take a look at the products that are truly game-changers.

Published: 19 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

The best school computer desks are those that facilitate learning and help the students and teacher connect with technology. They need to function and they need to last, even under the rigorous conditions of hours of use. A little form should follow the function, too. Style shouldn’t be ignored just because something is used in school.

The computer desk is a relative newcomer to the school supplies list. Its role has evolved and changed so much in the short time it’s been a “must have” item for most schools. Just a few years ago a computer desk was located in a computer lab and used only for learning the basics of computing. Ethernet connections dictated desk placement and the goal seemed to be to cram as many screens into one room as one could. Student interaction wasn’t even a consideration. Now that technology has been integrated into the entire school day and distance learning has become a viable choice, the needs have changed and the furnishings need to follow.

Now it’s possible to create an engaging, interactive and dynamic learning space where technology is naturally integrated into the environment. Don’t assume you have to follow the old rules. You have a lot of choices now.

Consider how you want your space to function and let the design flow from there. Do you need a place where students can interact and collaborate? Do you need a multimedia display to be the focus? You can split a large room into dedicated zones to serve many needs or focus on a single function. The choices you make will determine the school computer desks you need to purchase.

Once you’ve decided on the function, a little style can be added to the mix. We have custom colors and bold designs that make learning fun. Get creative with your school computer desks and you’ll see that creativity reflected in your students. Our reliable brands and top-notch service will help your vision come to light.

There are a lot of decisions to be made when it comes to choosing the best school computer desks. You’ll need more than a catalog as a guide. Two of the best things you can have is a trained, educated and experienced consultant and a long-standing company with a reputation for excellence.

Carroll Seating has been in business since 1950, working with just like yours. Our consultants are knowledgeable and understand how to fit all your needs while maximizing your budget. We’ll make a great team!

Published: 13 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Furnishing a Library

The library isn’t the stodgy, silent tomb that it used to be. Modern libraries are interesting spaces where technology and textbooks live side by side. And they do it in style.

You don’t just go to a library to pick a book and leave, at least not anymore. They are places where study groups meet, tutors assist and yes, we still get books there too. Furnishings in a modern library need to reflect the changing usage of this important school or community hub.

There are many pieces that a modern library can include but some of the basics will always be bookcases, tables and chairs. These serviceable items don’t have to look basic to fulfill their purpose, however. They can create a space that’s up-to-date and in style whether you want a trendy vibe or a classic feel. Our catalog covers it all.

Bookcases

Bookcases are the workhorses of the library. They need to be sturdy and well-balanced with excellent ease of access. They don’t have to be behemoths weighed in tonnage to serve these purposes. Modular units give you flexibility within your space as well as durability and functionality.

Tables

You need table but they don’t all need to look alike, do they? You’ve got plenty of options to create custom spaces. You can have large surfaces for project work, laptops and research materials but you can add smaller tables for resting a volume or two. You might even like a booth with curved banquette seating for collaborative spaces that encourage interaction (but still limit the noise).

Chairs

Chairs take as many forms as tables! Whether you need task chairs for quick uses or a cozy spot for a longer sit-down, we’ve got all the options covered. Timeless, durable and comfortable, our brands bring everything you need to the table. Modern fabrics and construction materials make keeping your chairs clean so much easier that in the past and they last for years, despite frequent wear.

Balancing aesthetics and functionality is a delicate endeavor. You’ll probably need some help. Depend on Carroll Seating’s decades of experience to guide your choices. Trained consultants with a high degree of product knowledge make all the difference in the decision-making process. We’ve been doing this since 1950 so we’ve got all the know-how you’ll need to get your library ready for guests.

Whether you’ve got a renovation or a brand new space, making your library modern will make it more useful. Create a space that will get people talking (quietly).

Published: 6 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Lecture and Theater Seating

Some of the most often forgotten spaces in any institution of learning whether it’s a teaching hospital, a university or a corporate event center. Lecture halls can lean towards the utilitarian, industrial look and that’s not what attracts people. If your lecture halls have this look, it may be time for a little remodeling.

The basic, traditional design of a lecture hall comes from a very different time. In the early days of education and training, the model was a little different. The focus was entirely set on the presenter. Perhaps he’d illustrate his points on a blackboard or have a visual aid on a work surface behind him, but the lecturer was where all eyes fell.

At this time, students we passive receivers of the information he had to impart so all they really needed was a seat and a writing surface. Most of the seats were notably uncomfortable and the surfaces were often awkward. Think about those little fold up, comma-shaped “desks” you may have once used in school. They were a nightmare for left-handers and had little room even for right-handed folks. Now imagine trying to navigate one of those while using a laptop or computer table and keyboard. They have not improved with time!

The models for effective learning have changed and so has the furniture. Social learning, where interaction and group thinking are valued, is now the model. Instruction and learning opportunities are available in more places that just colleges and universities now as well. Many corporations have on-site lecture halls for training and presentations, too.

It’s not just the teaching methods that have evolved. Students and technology have undergone their own alterations as well. Students are looking for learning opportunities that are a better fit for their own personal learning style. They aren’t often taking notes with pen and paper anymore. Students integrate technology into their learning and they need a proper surface to hold their devices, not a folding armrest.

To serve these need needs, your lecture hall furnishings may need an update. For more interactive learning, try chairs that swivel 360 degrees. They remain fixed for convenience but allow for movement at the same time. Swing-away seating is a perfect solution.

Serve the technological crowd by adding power to the table tops. Students or employees can plug in and not worry about their battery life ending before their class does. Add modesty screens to the table fronts or leave them sleek and open. The choice is yours.

Learning is taking new forms every day. Make sure your learning spaces are staying current.v

Published: 1 May 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

You have a unique chance right now. You can make your facility a far better space than any other in your region. Not sure how to do it? There are many ways to achieve your goal, but one of the best is to invest in fantastic portable seating options that will help your facility seem as flexible as it is relevant.

Portable Seating Redefined

Portable seating has changed as much as everything else in today’s world. No longer is the idea of portable seating defined by ugly, uncomfortable folding chairs that make seating possible anywhere, but virtually guarantee that it will be uncomfortable no matter where you put it. If patrons will be attending an event that lasts for any length of time, the discomfort is sure to make your facility look bad. Fortunately, yesterday is not today. Now you have a number of other choices that can make portable seating just as comfortable as you other options. Take a look at three choice you can make to ensure your portable seating is beautiful, functional, and comfortable.

Go For Padding: Premium portable seating offers contour foam and suspension options that mean real comfort is just around the corner. It’s great for VIPs and others who need something more than a hard metal folding chair. Various levels and types of padding are available too, so no matter how soft you want your seats to be, you can certainly find a selection that will meet your needs.
Accessorize: Think portable seats all have to look the same? Think again. There are a number of different accessories you can add to your seats including arm rests, upholstered in the standard style or the waterfall style, cup holders, and even tablet arms to help with your facility’s flexibility. You could also go with ganging options to keep chairs together, and even frame trim to make sure your seats are more beautiful than you’d ever imagined.
Appearance Matters: Looking to ensure your chairs really shine? Consider adding a custom logo to the chairs. Whether you go with a team, the name of your company, or even sponsor names, custom logos are a great way to show off your facility’s loyalties and help enhance the overall look of the chairs.

Venues have to be increasingly savvy to attract the right visitors, and the portable seating of yesterday certainly isn’t going to be a selling point for your organization. Explore your portable seating options, then contact us to learn more about how we can make your facility shine with something as simple as great portable seating throughout.

Published: 28 April 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: School seating

Food court seating is all about maximizing seating space without compromising personal space. It’s not an easy task, even for a professional designer. If you’re an industry outsider tasked with planning a break room or similar space, it can seem overwhelming at first. Trust a professional company like Carroll Seating to teach you the rules of food court seating.

Be practical.

The choices in a catalog can look amazing. Professionally photographed tables and modular seating arrangements can really make an impression. However, the shiny pictures might not be at all what your space needs.

Multi-functional pieces in modular designs will give you flexibility. If you space will be multi-use, you need your items to serve in a few different capacities. Even if the space is dedicated solely to food service, you may need the furnishings to grow or shrink with your population.

Be aware (but also beware) of trends.

Those pictures likely feature the newest color, texture and styles. That’s great for choosing an up-to-date feeling. You don’t want your space to be dated before it’s completed after all. Pick up on all the design trends, learn what’s hot now and what the projections may be and then take a step back.

Being on-trend now mean you’ll be out of style eventually. Your space needs a certain amount of timelessness in order to maintain a comfortable feeling and look. It shouldn’t be dated right away but maybe you don’t have to use every new trend either. Talk to your consultant to get a feel for looks that last.

Stay on budget.

It never pays to overpay. Set a budget and stay within the confines you’ve chosen. Your sales consultant can help you make the most of a budget of any size so make good use of their knowledge.

Carroll Seating has more than 60 years of experience helping people create spaces just like yours. Let us show you what we can do for your space.

Published: 21 April 2015

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

More than anything else, a doctor’s office should be a place of healing. Warmth and concern must radiate from every surface to ensure patients feel comfortable and trusting in that environment. Few doctors realize the importance of good casework in creating that atmosphere, but it can absolutely play an essential role in the healing process.

Where Appearance Matters Most

Simply going to the doctor’s office is a big step for many people. The last thing they want is to feel more uncomfortable once they get there, and setting the mood can help put them at ease. While you certainly want facilities that look and feel professional, you also want an office that welcomes patients. We can design a spot that creates a positive first impression. With custom fascia options, great textures, wonderful colors, and other options, you’ll get less of an institutional feel and more of that healing sensation you want to promote within your offices. One call to us will connect you with a personal case manager who can listen to the mood you want to project, and come up with the right options.

Creating Better Options

Our casework components are perfect in any situation. In the event that you have areas that change infrequently, we have sizes and configurations that are as functional as they are beautiful. If you have an area that must undergo change regularly, we have modular options to help make that possible. No matter what works for you, though, you’ll always get strong units that perform exactly as expected, providing efficient work surfaces and storage where you need it most.

Contact Us to Learn More

Whether you’re giving your facility a facelift or you’re building an entirely new office, our casework solutions can help you do more with your space. Give us a call to learn more about our options and how we can help create the perfect environment in your office.

Published: 15 April 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Locker Solutions

Choosing the right locker material for your facility can be difficult. With so many different options available today, understanding which one is the right choice for you is complex. Many are going with stainless steel lockers in a variety of different settings today, but are they a good option for you? Explore the benefits of this locker material.

Damage Resistant: In many environments, lockers are subject to high levels of use and, sometimes, abuse. Stainless steel choices, though, give you the durability you need to ensure your lockers look good year after year.
Corrosion-Resistant: Metal is usually susceptible to rust, but stainless steel is different, even in high moisture areas like locker rooms or kitchens. This remarkable resistances means you get a beautiful set of lockers, no matter what the environment around them.
Fire-Resistant: Just as stainless steel can resist damage and corrosion, it can often hold its own for some time against a fire, so despite the heat and intensity of the flames, you’ll get great performance from your new lockers.
Variety of Configurations: As with almost any other locker type, stainless steel lockers come in several different configurations to help meet your needs. Single, double, or triple, stainless steel lockers help ensure your patrons have the necessary space available.
Budget Friendly: There’s one other thing stainless steel lockers can resist – draining your budget. While some lockers come with enormous price tags, stainless steel choices can often help keep the entire cost of the project lower than you’d planned, ensuring you get exactly what you want at a great price.

Whether you’ve settled on stainless steel lockers already or you simply want to explore your options, contact us today to learn more. We’ll put you in touch with a dedicated project manager who will walk you through the choices available for your facility so you have the information you need to select the right material for your lockers. To learn more, pick up the phone and call us today.