Blog - Page 24 of 27 - Carroll Seating Company

Published: 14 May 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

1 Comment

Categories: Seating Solutions

Hospitals and other healthcare facilities are expanding on almost a daily basis, and with good reason. While people certainly aren’t any sicker than they were decades ago, they’re far more likely to seek medical care today. From great prevention to better treatment all the way around, people visit doctor’s offices and hospitals in record numbers these days.

The University of Missouri health system is no exception to that rule. Just like many other care facilities, the number of patients they see on a daily basis is ever expanding, and so too is their need for state of the art facilities. We were excited to help when they called us about their new patient care tower.

The Project
The new care tower itself is seven full stories. Inside are additional operating rooms as well as procedure rooms. There are also private patient rooms and lots of new space for the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. The goal throughout the building was to offer a level of comfort that helped visitors feel at ease and patients begin to heal. The space even includes an outdoor garden and a boutique in the Cancer Center with items like wigs for chemotherapy patients.

We were asked to provide custom millwork solutions on all seven floors. We also provided the casework throughout as well as solutions for solid surfaces, wall paneling, and countertops throughout the building. Throughout this project, we wanted to infuse the same healing theme that was already working throughout the building. That said, though, we knew that our work had to be as practical as it did beautiful.

The results were nothing short of phenomenal. We managed to strike that perfect balance with this project, and the initial feedback on this has been wonderful.

Published: 10 May 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Seating Solutions

Each year, thousands of people are injured while on bleachers at a variety of different kinds of facilities. In some cases, it’s purely negligence on the part of the individual. In many other cases, though, the problem could have been prevented through solid bleacher inspection and maintenance. Most states have gone so far as to require yearly inspection for bleachers. Wondering what that entails?

Here’s a quick overview:

You should make certain that the bleachers aren’t unstable in any possible way. For example, they shouldn’t be leaning to one side, and they should be placed on level ground. Moreover, while walking on them, they should feel completely stable.
You should also make sure the structural support of the bleachers is solid. There shouldn’t be any signs of corrosion or rotting. All of the cross braces should be in good working order. None of them should come out past the bench seat edges. None of the welds should be cracked either.
Bleachers should have handrails in place, and if there aren’t any, warnings should be posted.

There are often other guidelines from state to state, and understanding those is your responsibility. For example, in many states, a simple safety inspection by your staff isn’t enough. In most cases, you’ll need a certified technician to look things over and file a report. Depending on the company from whom you bought the bleachers, some yearly inspections are required to keep your warranty in check, too.

Preventative Maintenance
Whether your annual check reveals a problem or not, you may still have a bit of work to do. Proper upkeep of your floorboards, stairs and walkways is a must. It can help reduce any falls from patrons. They need to be cleaned regularly as well. Handrails, if present, need to be tightened, and supports should be lubricated with all other moving parts.

Keep in mind that if you allow food onto the bleachers, it can get into the mechanisms and create real issues, so keep a close eye out for potential problems with food. There are ways to clean them well, but it’s a bit harder, so custodial staff should be part of the maintenance plan. The real key with preventative maintenance is not only to make certain issues are addressed as soon as they’re realized, but also to follow the manufacturer’s instructions with regard to the right maintenance procedures.

Bleachers are one of the biggest problems for many facilities because, while they do provide useful seating, they can also be hard to maintain. Contact a certified bleacher technician to make sure your bleachers are safe from year to year.

Published: 7 May 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Bleacher seating

A facility like yours has so much potential. It can be tough to realize that potential, though, if you don’t have the right seating options. While you may have great fixed seating choices, deciding to add high quality portable seating can be a great way to increase the level of flexibility your facility has, leading to better options at every turn.

When Performance Counts
Whether you have a stadium, an arena, a theatre, or even a worship facility, portable seating may mean the ability to alter your seating arrangement, allow for additional guests, or simply host a larger variety of events. The key, though, no matter what your event is real comfort for all of your guests as well as durability.

As you shop, your choices will likely range from all steel choices to something like an upholstered folding chair. Naturally you’ll want a balance that not only meets your budget considerations, but also one that will help give your guests an unmatched level of comfort. There are even upgrades you can consider. For example, you may want to go with wider than average seats. You could also go with tablet style arms or even those that come complete with cup holders. It’s even possible to add your logo to every chair, which can make an amazing impression depending on your facility’s goals.

Making the Choice
No matter what your needs, Carroll Seating Company can help. With the high quality portable seating choices you need most, you’ll always find a turnkey solution that is perfect for your facility.

Published: 30 April 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Seating Solutions

School cafeterias are unique places these days. You have to ensure a solid traffic flow so students can get through the serving area in time to eat, but you also want to make it an inviting place for every student. The standard industrial look just doesn’t do it these days. Our work with Plaza Middle School was an excellent proving ground for us. After all, there are no tougher critics than twelve and thirteen year old kids.

What We Did
We were asked to come in and provide every inch of the design work. For us, this meant creating a cafeteria seating layout that worked for students and staff, coordinating existing food service equipment into a layout that breathed efficiency, and looking at things from a “that’s cool” standpoint so students would really love the new lunchroom.

On that front, we created a custom laminated focal wall behind the service line itself, came up with an amazing railing system for the kids to line up at, developed custom logo graphic tables, and added durable custom artwork pieces throughout. The crowning jewel, though, was the eye catching school logo’s Tiger Eyes soffit that is actually backlit to make the eyes pop out at students.

The Results
Students and staff alike love the new space. It’s an environment students actually want to be a part of. We managed to combine their mascot and important themes to the school to help amp up student pride a bit, and because we used school colors throughout, it helped to personalize the space.

The lunch hour is one of the only times each day students can easily interact with friends, and that’s an essential life skill too, so we created intimate small group sections and booth seating for students to help invite students in. The booths and clustered seating area give it that fast-food feel students are so accustomed to, and we managed to meet all of the ADA seating guidelines in the process of our design work.

Middle school kids are tough critics, so we were nothing short of surprised at all of the positive feedback we got with this project. Now if our own kids would only think we were that cool.

Published: 26 April 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Locker Solutions

Hallway lockers can be the perfect addition to a variety of facilities, particularly educational facilities. They’re a great way to store lots of things in one place safely. Before you decide on the right lockers to meet your needs, though, you may want to consider the following:

Strength: There are lots of reasons those on your campus may be using lockers, but you can bet that none of them are delicate. You need a choice that is strong enough to handle books, sports equipment and more. If you’re in a school setting, you also need a choice that can handle some abuse from students. A stack of books sitting in a locker is one thing. A backpack full of books slung into and out of the locker day after day is another thing entirely.
Durability: You probably plan to use these lockers in the years to come, so durability should be a serious consideration. While there are lots of new materials out there for locker construction, you’ll want to choose something that will hold up in the years to come. Most lockers take quite a beating year after year, so make certain that you choose one that will hold up.
Maintenance: As much as you’ll be relying on these lockers, you want them to need very little maintenance. It can get old to spend school holidays working on them time and time again, so ensuring that they’re nearly work-free as often as possible is an absolute must.
Cost-Effectiveness: Lockers aren’t going to be one of the cheaper line items in your budget, but you can make certain you get your money’s worth, particularly if you choose Carroll Seating Company to meet your needs. With a variety to choose from and a personalized project manager on every job, you’ll always get what you need at a price you can afford.

As you attempt to find the right lockers to your needs, talk to your project manager to get an idea of the best lockers for your facility. They’ll help guide you with all four considerations in mind.

Published: 23 April 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Casework & Millwork

With new buildings or even redesigns, it’s often the little things that make a difference. Paint colors, for example, instead of a dry, matte white finish could make an office look more inviting, helping to propel your business forward. Specialty millwork, too, can serve the same purpose.

Understanding Customized Millwork
From creative doors to great baseboards and crown molding, specialty and custom millwork provides those special little touches you just can’t get with off-the-shelf solutions. It helps to bring together the whole picture of your office, tying in the right design themes that will help put your customers at ease again and again. Think the millwork details don’t matter? Think again. Consider an unfinished room for a moment. It likely feels incomplete. Now add in the right millwork components. Even if you have the same drab white walls, you have a far more complete look, helping you get more done every day.

Carroll Seating Company has been providing specialty millwork solutions for decades. More than just a company that designs seating solutions, we can create the ideal look in almost any setting. We’ve worked in schools, libraries, hospitals, and lots of offices in the past. Our work has been featured in offices of some of the biggest brands in the nation, and we would be proud to feature it in your office as well.

From start to finish, we provide turnkey solutions to help meet your needs and your budget. We can help with the initial planning phase and recommend the right products for every job. We know you want the highest level of satisfaction at the right price, and we’re committed to meeting your needs.

Excellence defines Carroll Seating Company, so as you look for a custom millwork provider, please keep us in mind.

Published: 16 April 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

1 Comment

Categories: Bleacher seating

Outdoor seating has gotten a bit of a black eye over the past several years. Thanks to a number of wind incidents, storms, and a variety of other accidents, outdoor bleacher safety is a fairly hot topic these days. Whether you’re an athletic facility, a concert venue, or something completely different, the last thing you want is to put your patrons and entertainers or athletes in danger, so both choosing the right outdoor seating solutions and performing regular maintenance on your existing seating is a must.

Selecting the Right Outdoor Bleachers
Selecting the right outdoor bleachers is the first step to maintaining a safe environment. You should consider capacity, available space, and sightlines as you develop the right outdoor seating plan. Remember that outdoor bleachers don’t simply have to be hard metal benches anymore. Instead you can customize your solution with backrests, various colored powered coats, and even customized seating arrangements that will make your area work for almost any event. There are even press boxes you can choose to sit on top of your bleachers.

The key to getting the right ones for you is to talk carefully with the company you’re considering. You want to let them know about your needs as well as your safety concerns at the outset. There are all sorts of different solutions to consider, from tip and roll bleachers (ideal for pools and other venues where bleachers may need to be moved) to customized grandstands. Talking with your company about exactly what you want will help you design the perfect solution from the outset.

Bleacher Safety
Even after you select great outdoor bleachers, proactive maintenance is going to be an ongoing need. It will help you lower your long term costs, and it could ensure you reduce your accident levels, as well as any legal risks you may face from those potential accidents. You need to not only take into account the general safety of those who may be using your bleachers, but also whether or not they’re in compliance with local and state codes. Don’t forget to document all of your inspections and repairs carefully, and if your seating company suggests any aftermarket products to protect your investment, you should certainly consider it.

Outdoor bleachers can be the perfect place to cheer for the home team, but quality seating has to be part of the equation. Make the right choice at the outset, then maintain it well.

Published: 9 April 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Casework & Millwork

Public libraries are unlike any other spaces on the planet. They’re not even really like other libraries. College libraries serve only the needs of university students and academics. School libraries are specifically designed for kids of various ages. Specialty libraries are often dedicated just to experts.

Public libraries, though, have to meet the needs of the many. From great reading areas for kids to help entice them in day after day to careful spaces constructed for elderly patrons, public libraries need special attention when it comes to design, so we’re nothing short of proud to put our name on the design work of the Alsip Marionette Park Library.

A Year in the Making
Some design projects take just a few months. Others, like this one, take quite a bit more work. We got started in January of 2012. After preliminary designs, pricing, and all of the details that go into any of our projects, we were finally able to install some of our Brodart Contract Furniture line in February of 2013. All of it was custom made for the library.

In the adult sections, we were able to design double faced computer carrels to save space as well as individual study carrels with pop up power and data for those using laptops. We also integrated new reading tables, study tables in the study room, double sided book displays, and custom OPAC stations as well as dictionary and atlas stands.

In the children’s area, we designed square and round tables at heights that worked for both children and adolescents. We also created half-moon computer stations with velcroable front panels for reading fun. Additionally, we added a customized children’s puzzle table among other things.

This project really demonstrates how far we’ve branched out from the idea of seating. We wanted to be part of this from the start. With us, you know you’re never going to have to flip open a catalog, point to what you want, and have us assemble it. Instead, we invest ourselves in delivering exactly what you’re looking for, and we succeed with quality and precision.

Published: 25 March 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Seating Solutions

Whether you stop by a local fast food joint or you’re having a seat at that hip little bistro down the street, you may see more communal tables than you ever have before. Not familiar with the concept? They usually seat up to sixteen people, and the benefits can be enormous. In a world where online communities are quickly becoming everything, promoting actual communities through seating like this is certainly not a bad idea. It can help regulars sitting near each other get to know one another by passing the salt and pepper shaker, and it may help them feel more at home. It can also keep people in the area longer than you’d imagined, which may mean additional profits.

Thinking about going this route with your food court seating? You may want to consider the following:

Make certain the table works with the dining space itself. If you’re doing a retrofit, you need to carefully consider traffic flow and the actual spacing. Communal seating means larger tables than normal, so think carefully about layout before you go with communal tables.
Think about your customers. Communal tables don’t work well in every setting. Big tables may mean louder conversations, particularly in the food court setting. That may even be disruptive to others, so consider customers before you make your choice.
Table height matters. You can get community tables in both the high topped variety and the more standard size, and finding the right one to meet your needs may take a customer survey. In most cases, something standard will work best, but a bar-height can also work well.
Don’t forget about lighting. This is a big concern in the case of retrofitting an area with communal tables. You’ll need fairly specific lighting for the table you choose. If you don’t make that consideration, you could certainly end up leaving it in a light void. Communal tables can work in a food court seating area, but make certain you carefully consider them before you install them.

Communal tables can work in a food court seating area, but make certain you carefully consider them before you install them.

Published: 19 March 2013

Written by Carroll Seating

No comments

Categories: Casework & Millwork

College dorm designs are becoming increasingly complex. While it was once enough to simply have a standard room with two beds and two desks as well as a bathroom on every floor, these days, colleges have to create a very different home away from home for those students who choose to live on campus. We were recently asked to work on the first new dorm in 40 years at Northern Illinois University, and our innovation and creativity made the project nothing short of success.

One-Thousand Units and Counting
The project itself was quite varied. With 1,000 different units in the complex as well as common spaces and a sizable community center that included a food court, recreation facility, and a lounge, creating a number of different challenges to overcome. Durability was a must in a college setting, as was the custom casework that would be necessary to give the residents the right level of space throughout the units while making everything look amazing at the same time. Our results were fantastic.

In the 80 cluster kitchens inside the complex, we installed the casework necessary to make them functional thanks to Case Systems Inc. Throughout the full 1000 units inside, we installed closet shelving and rods as well as solid surface tops and sinks. We also created an amazing look at the security desk thanks to the custom wood veneer panels. We installed a custom wood veneer mail counter to help make certain students had the mail facilities they needed, and in the food court, we created a custom checkout station to make certain students could get in and out with ease.

Diversity Means Everything
As a company, we’ve met many challenges in the past, but few quite like this one. It was a unique opportunity to step things up to the next level, and everyone loves the results, particularly the students who now call that building home.