Published: 2 February 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

Benefits of a Meeting Room Upgrade

Meetings are an essential part of any business, and every good business owner knows that providing a the right kind of gathering space can maximize these sessions. If your meeting space hasn’t undergone an update in awhile, it might be time for a change. Here are some of the benefits you can expect to see if when you upgrade your meeting room furniture:

Increased comfort – First and foremost, updated furniture can drastically increase the comfort level for you and your employees. Over time, furniture can become loose, wobbly, and worn, which can lead to discomfort when it’s being used. New furniture designs also take ergonomics into consideration, something that older designs failed to include.
Improved communication – Believe it or not, new furniture can also improve the communication around your meeting table or tables. With updated furniture, you can choose which designs best suit your needs, whether it’s one large conference table, or several smaller tables for smaller groups to gather at. Choosing the design and configuration that accommodates your needs can greatly improve communication during your meetings.
Inspiring designs boost creativity and productivity – Old, outdated furniture can be a drain on creativity. This can also negatively impact productivity. With a meeting room furniture overhaul, you can introduce fresh new designs that will help revitalize and re-energize your group, allowing them to channel their creative juices and boost their productivity.
Can be customized to accommodate new technology – There are lots of new audio and video technologies being added to meeting rooms. Of course, older furniture was not designed to accommodate these upgrades because they likely didn’t exist when that furniture was made! Now, however, you can design furniture pieces with your meeting room’s technology in mind, which will maximize both space and efficiency.

Published: 27 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

Think about this: your company’s reception area often provides the first impression of your business to your customers or clients. So let us ask you this. Is this space inviting? Is it interesting? And most importantly, is it reflective of your business or brand? If you answered no to any of these questions, it may be time for a reception area overhaul, starting with the furniture.

There are lots of options for reception area furniture, along with a variety of materials and finishes. In terms of furniture types, there are two main categories: modular and custom.

Modular – This is furniture that is prefabricated and ready to install. The pieces are essentially one-size-fits-all, and you simply piece them together to create your desired workspace.
Custom furniture – Custom furniture is designed especially for your space, and according to your needs and specifications. With custom furniture, you get to choose the configuration, the materials, the finishes – literally everything.

With a custom reception area, you can design your furniture to match your existing space, creating a seamless flow from the front entrance to the rest of the space. Customized furniture also gives you the opportunity to let your creativity shine through, creating an inspiring workspace for your employees.

Carroll Seating specializes in creating custom casework for homes, offices, and more. We have extensive experience in working with customers who are redesigned their reception areas, and we know what it takes to maximize functionality in a space. Our quality and craftsmanship is top notch, and we have the experience to back it up. We’ve been in business since 1952, and our skilled team members can assist you every step of the way. Let us help you transform your reception area into a space you can be proud of!

Published: 22 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Gym and Sports Equipment

The curriculum for physical education in the United States covers a wide range of both team and individual sports. To meet the requirements of this curriculum, high schools must outfit their gyms with the proper equipment for each sport. Carroll Seating does more than provide seating and other furniture options for businesses – we can also help you set your gym up with the high-quality, long-lasting sporting equipment that you need to make the most of this active space!

Basketball

Basketball is one of the most popular sports in high schools. It ranks as the second most popular sport for boys, and the first for girls. With this in mind, it’s obvious why it’s so important to have the equipment for the sport in your gym. Carroll Seating offers a line of adjustable, wall or ceiling-mounted goals with high quality backboards and rims that will provide years of play time for students now and in the future.

Baseball

Like basketball, baseball ranks in the top 5 most popular sports for high school athletes. Our professional-grade baseball equipment can help your student athletes stay in shape and hone their skills, during both the regular season and off-season. We offer equipment to help with everything from batting to catching, so players can work on these crucial skills any time of year.

Football

Guess what the most popular sport is in high school athletics? You got it – it’s football. Football requires a level of equipment like no other sport, from equipment on the field to player gear to practice equipment. Carroll Seating can set your gym up with the high quality equipment necessary for your high school football players, so you can put all your focus on training your players.

Volleyball

You may think that all you really need to play volleyball is a ball and a net, but there’s actually quite a bit more involved with this beloved sport. For high school volleyball, you’ll also need boundary markers, and you may need accessories such as a referee stand too. Whatever your needs are, Carroll Seating can get your gym ready for the game.

Seating

We couldn’t talk about our high school gym equipment without a mention of bleacher seating – we are Carroll Seating after all. Even with all the necessary sports equipment in place, your gym isn’t complete without proper seating for students and faculty to cheer on the teams. We have seating options for both indoor and outdoor sports, as well as a variety of styles and arrangement. We also offer customizable options that allow you to create the atmosphere you want in your gym.

Let Carroll Seating help you make the most of your high school gym. From sports equipment to seating, together we can create an electric athletic space that will energize both players and fans!

Published: 19 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Cafeteria and Food Court Seating

Food court and cafeteria furniture sure has changed a lot in the last few years, hasn’t? You probably remember the old, rickety long tables with uncomfortable seats in your school cafeteria from when you were a kid. Things are a lot different in lunchrooms these days, though, where the focus has shifted to making comfortable socialization a top priority. If you’re planning on updating your cafeteria or food court furniture to this more modern style, use the buying guide below to assist you in the process.

Consider the space. The most basic consideration here is the size of the room, and the size and quantity of the tables and chairs you’re thinking about. Obviously, you need to make sure that the dining furniture will fit in the room without it becoming overcrowded. At the same time, you’ll want to maximize the space, fitting in as many seating options as comfortably possible.
How will the flow work? Another factor in choosing table type is how it will work with the flow of the dining space. Think about how you want to arrange the tables and chairs. Will it be rows of long tables, or clusters of smaller, round tables? Make sure that people will be able to move about the space freely, and that the type of furniture you choose won’t impede that.
Think about your customers’ (or students’) needs. First of all, is the furniture going to be in a space where it’s okay if people linger, or will they be eating in a hurry? Attached stools can be good for the latter situation, where people can quickly get up and down and aren’t slowed down by moving chairs in and out. Conversely, detached chairs are a more comfortable option, so if you want people to sit and enjoy food and conversation, separate chairs may be the better choice.
Aesthetics matter too. Make sure that whatever type of food court or cafeteria furniture you choose is visually appealing and complementary of the overall style of the space. Clashing designs can make for an uncomfortable and unattractive dining environment.

Published: 12 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: case studies, laboratories

The Waubonsee Community College physics labs classrooms were in need of updating. School administration hired general contractor Lite Construction for a major school renovation that a new Field House, renovations to Erickson Hall and other construction as part of Waubonsee’s 2020 College Master Plan. Lite construction worked with the design team at Carroll Seating to plan the update to their physics labs in Weigel Hall on the Sugar Grove campus.

The team at Carroll Seating was pleased with the finished outcome of these new physics labs. The school decided on new science casework, table tops and shelving manufactured by Institutional Casework. The Carroll Seating team hopes that Waubonsee Community College students and faculty will enjoy them for many school years to come. For more information about this lab renovation project, please visit the Carroll Seating website or call us in Elk Grove, IL at 847-434-0909.

Published: 7 January 2016

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Bleacher seating

Bleachers seem to be an increasing staple in today’s headlines. From high school sports facilities to professional ones, bleachers are presenting an ever-growing risk to those who attend big events, and that has meant a change in policy for many organizations. Thanks to the real dangers associated with these flexible seating choices, regular inspections and quick replacement of damaged parts have become an absolute must.

What Does An Inspection Involve?

If you haven’t yet had your bleachers inspected, there’s no better time. Bleacher inspections can help prevent real problems before they happen, and they’re easier than you think to schedule. You can have your bleacher installation company come out and inspect them or another licensed inspector. While there, your bleacher inspector will be looking at a number of different aspects. He or she will look at the general structural condition of the bleachers, searching to decide whether adequate bearing is provided, the components and systems are working like they should, and there’s no sign of corrosion or rot on any part of the structure. He or she will also make certain that no components of the system are broken, damaged, deteriorated, or missing. In addition to this general inspection, though, guardrails are typically examined, as are the openings on the side of the bleachers. Your inspector will make certain only trained staff members operate the bleachers and that inspection documentation is kept on file.

How Often Should Bleacher Inspections Occur? We recommend reviewing ICC 300 Chapter 5, Section 501.2 on bleacher inspection. It says,

“All existing tiered seating shall be inspected and evaluated at least once a year by a qualified person for compliance with the provisions of this chapter. All folding and telescopic seating shall be inspected to evaluate compliance with the manufacture’s installation and operational instructions, including an inspection during the opening and closing of such seating.”

The Next Steps

If anything is found to be amiss during an official inspection or just one by your own internal staff, you’ll need to order replacement parts to help take care of the problem. We can help. Whether you need a rowlock, a rail socket, better wall ties, or something as simple as a nut or bolt, we have the parts you need in stock right away. What’s more, though, is that we’ll even help to get them installed so that you’re ready for your next big event.

Bleacher safety has to be one of your biggest priorities for the upcoming season, and we can help make sure you’re ready. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive bleacher safety options.

Published: 30 December 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork

Your employees work hard every single day. What’s one thing you can do to make sure they know how much you appreciate their contribution? Design the perfect break room. The furniture you choose will make a huge difference in the way your break room is perceived, too, so it’s one facet of the design you certainly don’t want to overlook. Here are a few tips that may help.

Go for Physical Relaxation: Investing in workplace comfort can often mean serious increases in productivity and employee engagement. Offer soft, stylish furniture including couches and lounge furniture that encourages physical relaxation while they’re on break. Whether you go with a couch, a lounge style club chair, or something like a love seat, you’re providing a space where employees can rest their minds so they can get back to something more productive much sooner.
Go for Functionality: You want your break room to be as functional as it is relaxing, so go with the right spaces for employees to congregate, have a snack, or even enjoy a meal. Make certain to include some fixed furniture options like countertops for things like a coffee maker and a microwave to ensure employees have everything they need at their fingertips.
Go For Flexibility: You want your break room to serve a number of needs, particularly if it is required for meeting space or something similar. Small bistro tables may make that happen, as may comfortable, portable seating options that allow for a break or a functional meeting.

More offices than ever are moving from that traditional work environment to a slightly more stylish space, and adding break room furniture your employees love can be the perfect first step toward that in your own work environment. Contact us today and we’ll show you how you can make a positive impact on your team with the right break room furniture.

Published: 23 December 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Locker Solutions

A police or first responder locker room should not be a replica of a high school locker room. They are used with vastly different purposes. A first responder locker is built extra large to accommodate the specialized equipment and gear required. Depending on the provider selected there are options as big as 73 inches in height, depth of 24 inches and width options ranging from 18 to 36 inches. Required in such a specialized setting are lockers with the right storage choices, optional compartments and appropriate security. A three point latching system makes them the most secure in the industry. Lockers can have a built in butcher block bench with a pull out boot drawer beneath. This leaves the interior aisle free from tripping hazards so responders and officers can safely and quickly gear up.

In addition to personnel lockers we also can provide updated evidence lockers to meet your stations needs and preserve the integrity of evidence that is essential to the justice system. A case cannot be built on evidence if there hasn’t been a secure chain of custody. Short-term storage must be airtight, secure and able to handle a variety of evidence types. It also must meet the needs of the Department, a smaller station that doesn’t have an evidence technician may not need a pass through option. But having secure lockers in varying sizes with the ability to refrigerate temperature sensitive evidence, if necessary, is paramount to ensuring an airtight case against your suspect is preserved. Providing a small evidence locker area that officers can securely deposit evidence in after-hours, so as to avoid having to call in a technician, but still having the chain of command intact is something your department would benefit from.

Weapons lockers are another must have in a police station, no matter the size of your department. First you’ll want to examine your layout and spacing issues. We carry wall mounted and floor mounted weapons lockers. No matter the design you choose to ensure the condition of your gear, you’ll want a neoprene liner and heavy duty steel to prevent unauthorized entry. Contact us today to learn more about new locker options that are safe and secure.

Published: 18 December 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Casework & Millwork, Seating Solutions

Design + Function

Just how important is design in your upcoming project? It means absolutely everything to the success of the project, and it’s one of the biggest reasons people contact Carroll Seating Company again and again to ensure they get the right design. Wondering how we can help? Take a look.

Visual Appeal – it’s what drives every designer, and we strive to reach it with every single project we handle. We want your space to look nothing short of amazing. Whether it’s a school library, an arena, or something as extensive as a lab remodel, we can help you ensure your day to day world looks phenomenal to potential employees, students, and customers. We know just how much it matters that people love the space they’re in, and our designs always work to incorporate that wow factor so you can impress anyone who walks through the door.

Functionality – As important as aesthetically pleasing spaces are, they aren’t going to do much for you if they’re not very functional, so along with your concerns about making certain the space you want is visually pleasing, we’ll also work to make sure that you have what you need at your fingertips. From highly functional casework to better layouts, we can help you plan the perfect space to help you increase your efficiency.

Budget Friendly – You want a great space, but your budget probably isn’t unlimited, and at Carroll Seating Company, we appreciate that. We’ll work with your numbers to help find the perfect solutions that still meet your overall financial restrictions.

Don’t just think about design. Make it the central focus of your project. Give us a call today so we can pair you with a project manager who will oversee every aspect of design and make certain you get the perfect space to meet your needs.

Published: 14 December 2015

Written by Carroll Seating

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Categories: Seating Solutions

The Best Seating Options for Auditoriums

Thinking of redesigning your auditorium? Working to create the perfect atmosphere in a brand new auditorium? Your seating options matter more than any other design choice you’ll make. How can you ensure you get the best? It starts with the decision to pick up the phone and call Carroll Seating Company.

What’s Going to Work In Your Space?

What works well in your space may not be what works for everyone else. We don’t handle cookie-cutter installations. We design a plan based wholly around your needs. Take a look at a few options you may want to consider.

Fixed Seating: The perfect choice for many auditorium settings, our fixed seating choices mean a sophisticated layout that is flexible enough to fill your space. You can choose from wood and veneer laminate finishes, as well as fully upholstered comfort options that redefine the right combination of beauty and value. Choose from additional options like power and data connectivity, custom mounting, and more to ensure your auditorium is exactly what you imagined.
Telescopic Platform Seating: Most spaces these days are no longer designed to serve one function. Instead, even an auditorium is often a room where multiple purposes must be met, and telescopic platform seating is one of the best ways to do just that. They remain fixed to the wall when not in use so you get the floor area you want, but they easily pull out when you need them to help meet your expectations. Available with wireless control, they’re rigorously tested so you get the safe, comfortable seating surface you want.
Portable Seating: Looking for durable, stylish comfort without the added commitment? Our portable seating options fit the bill. With the freedom to arrange your auditorium in a number of different configurations, these are built to last, no matter what your traffic numbers look like.

Ready to get started? Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you create an auditorium that will stand out from the crowd.