The industry offers two variations of the traditional wooden floorboards to appeal to as many interiors as possible. The two types look the same and even cost the same, though they vary in their suitability. The most widely fitted option is the solid type, while an alternative is the engineered type.
Solid Wood Flooring – Each plank of solid wood flooring is made from complete and natural hardwood. Such hardwoods vary from the common Ask, Oak and Walnut to the more exotic species such as Cumaru, Larch and Teak. In the manufacture process no other material besides wood is added, hence the use of the term ‘solid’.
Engineered Wood Flooring – Each plank also contains the same hardwoods as in the solid type, however this time the density drops from 100% to 10% to 25%. The top layer is made from solid hardwood, while the core (which isn’t visible when the engineered floorboard is fitted) is made from MDF, Plywood and other synthetic substances.
Having read both descriptions it might seem a clear-cut case in favour of the solid type, however it isn’t so simple. Each type has at least one major advantage over the other, so your decision is often led by the project’s circumstances.
Durability – Of the two types, solid is the stronger one, which in plain English equals longer service life. Commercial properties in the vast majority of projects will prefer the solid type for this reason. Furthermore, it is possible to sand and recoat a solid floorboard up to 10 times during its service life. Sanding is a process that removed 1mm layer wood to expose new wood. In the process, stains, scuffs and surface scratches are removed, which makes for a quick (and affordable) way to improve the look of the floor.
Versatility – Solid type is unsuitable to fit in damp, humid and wet areas such as the kitchen, bathroom and even over under floor heating. Natural hardwood expands when the temperature climbs and contracts when the temperature drops. This can lead to damage from constant expansion and contraction. On the other hand, the engineered type due to its varied construction of solid wood and synthetic substance is perfectly suitable in such conditions and in these areas. Engineered floorboards could also be sanded and recoated, though to a far lesser extent of 2 to 3 times overall.
The appearance of each floorboard regardless of its type is achieved based on the grade of the wood and finish of the floor.
Grade Of The Wood – Grade is an indication of how refine the wood is in terms of knots, sapwood and colour variation. Both solid and engineered types contain wood and therefore you will need to choose the most suitable grade for your budget and interior taste. Higher grades such as Prime and Select feature less knots and sapwood and are naturally more expensive. Value grades such as Natural and Rustic feature many knots, plenty of sapwood and are natural more affordable. Large premises projects will often opt for the Natural or Rustic grades due to budget constraints.
Finish Of The Wood – Each floorboard is covered in a thin layer, which acts to protect the wood floor from the elements (sun and rain in particular) and minor damage from items dragged on the surface. However, different finish will often result in a different shade. Your choice is based on variations of oil and lacquered based flooring chemicals. Oil has a more matt look to it, while lacquered has a gloss like appearance due to its glare. Unlike grade or type, the finish can be altered easily by simply using a different shade of finish.
If you are considering fitting wood flooring in your office interior fit out project, there are practical and visual constrains to take into account. If you require help with your commercial interior design project talk to J.S.Office Environments today.
Information for the J.S.Office Environments blog by Wood and Beyond, a London based wood flooring supplier of solid wood flooring and engineered flooring.
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JS launch new website aimed at the small office and home office market
We are pleased to announce a new website specifically aimed at the SOHO Office furniture market.The products are keenly priced and many of them are available on a next day delivery direct from the supplier.
The site has a wide range of office furniture products to suit all applications, from office chairs and offices desks through to café & breakout furniture. It offers a good selection of home office furniture ranges that will make working from home a pleasure.
The new website does not compromise the JS online existing offering which include the full office interiors, office design and office furniture portfolio
]]>An office seating audit will identify the condition of the chairs, and a detailed report will highlight whether they are functioning correctly and determine which parts need addressing, be it a repair or a replacement. Regular maintenance will help to assist in the health and well-being of the user, a major contributor to healthy, happy staff and it usually extends the lifespan of the chair, improving both the financial efficiency of an organisation as well as its environmental contribution. Our fully trained engineers will assess the seating products on site and provide a detailed quotation for parts, pads and spares to rejuvenate old chairs! Any replacement parts fitted will come with a years warranty as standard
Services we offer:
• General seating audit
• Detailed health and safety audit
• General maintenance
• Upholstery cleaning
• Repair or replacement of parts
• Replacement of upholstered seat pads
All these services are available as a one-off project or can be factored into a seating contract tailored to a client’s specific needs.
If you are interested in any aspect of this service or would like a quotation on office furniture refurbishment please contact us on Tel: 020 8313 9977 or email: mail@jsonline.co.uk
It may seem extravagant bearing mind the uncertain economic conditions, but refurbishing your office can make a big difference to your business. A good office design may boost staff morale, increase productivity and create an impression with your clients
JS Office Environments bring expertise to office refurbishment. With a flair for office design and wide ranging interior fit-out knowledge, we can create a superb working area on a budget that suits the client
Usually the first step is to analyse your office space and decide your needs and budget. The next step is to let us produce design proposal options that will let you decide on the best solution, including colour schemes, that suit your need. We can produce CAD drawings and 3D walk throughs that show you what your workspace will look like. Once decided we can supply competitive costings, a schedule works and then project manage the whole process for you
Times are tough so don’t throw money away, but at the same time do your bit for the environment. Eco lighting solutions can reduce your energy costs. By the use of daylight sensors, intelligent lighting controls and infrared motion detectors – lighting is on only when needed. By converting to T5 tubes it can reduce energy costs up to 60% compared to existing fluorescent lighting.
We can specify timber from sustainable sources and incorporate recycled materials in both the office interior fit-out and office furniture, to help reduce your CO 2 footprint
The reception area of your business is possibly the most important space in your building. It speaks volumes about who you are and creates a first and lasting impression. A refurbishment to a reception area can be done on limited resources and give your working space the “X factor”
• Indentify your space and storage requirements
• Get professional design options
• Establish a budget based on the design you choose
• Make sure you have landlord and building control approval
• Ensure the project complies with Health & Safety and DDA requirements
• Consider IT needs both short and long term
• Environmental issues should be considered
• Make energy savings by using eco lighting
• Involve your staff in the project so boosting morale
Keep computer tower units off the floor and out of the way by fitting CPU holders under desks so your employees can benefit from more room. Keeping equipment out of the way will also prevent employees from accidentally damaging it.
The mouse and keyboard should be positioned so that employees don’t have to overreach to be able to use them as this can put a strain on the upper back and arms.
Employees’ hands and wrists should not rest on uncomfortable edges and padded wrist rests will provide a soft surface. Wrist rests can also be used to bring the wrists in line with the keyboard.
Install adjustable monitor arms to enable employees to easily move their monitors to the positions most suited for their eyesight and height.
Reduce glare on monitors by fitting a glare filter which will filter out the sunlight that reaches the screen, making it easier to see. Adjustable monitor arms will also enable employees to move their monitors out of the sunlight.
Office desks should be big enough to be able to easily hold everything your employees need to work with such as computer equipment, document holders, mouse and mouse mat and so on.
There should also be enough room under the desks for employees to sit comfortably without banging their feet or shins on equipment. Document holders can help employees to keep their desk organised and uncluttered which can make the workstation much more comfortable.
Choose office chairs which support the lower back to prevent lower back pain. Ensure the depth of the seat is suitable as if it’s too deep then it could add pressure to the back of the legs but if it’s too shallow then it could increase pressure on the lower back.
Office chairs with armrests can add extra support to the elbows but ensure the arm rests don’t restrict movement, for example by preventing employees from being able to get close enough to their desks.
JS online offer a large range of ergonomic chairs, height adjustable desks and a large assortment of ergonomic products to help in all aspects of workstation health and safety
Both JS and RH have their own philosophy of ergonomics. It is based on the importance of upright posture and active seating. Upright posture improves breathing and blood circulation, while motion stimulates your muscles. This philosophy is applied to all RH Chairs through the two point principle or 2PPtm. The technology means that the body is exposed to a lot of variation and relief, even when you move, since the chairs basic settings remain the unchanged. This helps the user to concentrate better and thus improves performance. Please contact us for further information or if you would like a free trial.
]]>With careful consideration and design that can only be described as inspired, the firm sources the most compatible range of products for function, use of space and appearance, so that you can make the best use of your office space however large or small. Creating something that’s inspirational for your workforce while reflecting your organisation’s image and culture is a tough job. Fortunately, it’s one that JS Online excels in, having four decades worth of experience behind them.
Whether you want to hire office furniture, refurbish or repair existing furniture or buy brand new office furniture as part of your corporate interior overhaul, JS Online can help. Hiring furniture is ideal for new businesses with a small budget and for those that want to be more frugal in the current economic climate. If you’ve already got old office furniture that’s a little used and could use an injection of get up and go, why not try the firm’s furniture repair service. It can save you a huge amount in the long run, especially if you’re just starting out.
The company provides all the necessary parts to bring your office interior to life, while sourcing products that match your taste and budget. Whether you want partitioning, new ceiling systems, new flooring, blinds or storage walls, they have it all. Ergonomic seating, office desks and other office seating is also available. And the best bit is, the firm will measure and provide you with the best solution possible for your office space, to maximise productivity and minimise sick days. They even provide air conditioning to budget for those sweltering summer days!
]]>With an unrivalled range of office seating, office desks plus ideas for office interiors the new web site is the culmination of more than a year’s worth of research, design and development. The online space is now a lot easier to navigate, says Chris Johnson, a director of JS Online.
Mr. Johnson said: “We were keen to freshen up our online presence and make it even easier for clients to find exactly what they are looking for in as little time as possible. We wanted to give an enjoyable browsing experience, give quick access to our extensive knowledge base and office future advice bank and provide great quality images of our products so clients could be confident in their selection. The new site looks and feels better, and has a special ‘Featured Projects’ section on the homepage so customers can see our portfolio before making any decisions.”
“All the products and services can now be accessed from the home page, which saves the hassle of looking for each page individually. It has a lighter, fresher feel to put our customers at ease and make them feel welcome.”
You can now click through to office essentials such as desks, ergonomic seating and customised interior design service, right from the homepage. The blog provides a dose of JS Online news and upcoming promotions, while the prestigious client portfolio lets you see what the firm has already done before you even browse the products.
The firm, which has over 40 years of experience in the business, realises the importance of having an updated, fresh-feel website. Mr Johnson added: “So much business is now conducted online, with online shopping becoming the norm for many. Having a website customers feel comfortable in is of utmost importance to us.”
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The firm offers an ingenious design service, which not only makes your workspace look great, but also helps to motivate staff and cut out sick days. With the office interiors services, you’re sure to see morale, creativity and efficiency levels go up, and sick notes and low team morale go down.
They start off with a thorough analysis of what your workplace needs and then recommend products and services according to that. They take into account square footage, storage, whether you need breakout areas, meeting rooms, kitchens and common rooms, etc. They then do drawings based on their finding and fit furniture into that design. Their concept drawings actually show you how it will look and feel and their space planning show you how the new layout will work in your new space.
The finishes and fittings section shows you different textures and colours based on your brand requirements, and what really inspires your staff to do better. They then move on to the actual office furniture such as office desks, office seating and even ergonomic seating, to see what fits in with your design and what works with your budget. At the end of it all, you’ll have an office space that looks brilliant and feels inspiring, both to your employees and to you.
]]>The firm’s furniture repair service means you don’t have to fork out for new furniture every time something breaks or tears. You can keep re-using your current office furniture and save your business money in the long run, as well as making a conscious effort to stop landfill by avoiding simply scrapping existing furniture.
The service from the office chair specialists includes seating re-upholstery, screen re-upholstery, wood and metal frame repair, furniture repair, French polishing and replacement parts for broken furniture. All this with a quick turnaround time so you’re not left too long without your furniture and a guarantee on all work.
Chris Johnson of JS Online said: “In a time where people are becoming more careful about where and how much they spend, the furniture repair service from JS Online is ideal.
“You don’t have to worry about spending huge amounts on new furniture should something break, and your office furniture is left looking as good as new. Whether it’s wood, metal, upholstery or replacement parts such as wheels, we guarantee all our work so you have the peace of mind of knowing you’re getting the best service.”
JS Online also specialise in office interiors, ergonomic seating and office desks for new businesses or businesses that want to give their office a whole new look on a budget.
]]>Getting the most out of a workforce is critical to getting the most out of a company. An optimised workstation can increase productivity, increase motivation and reduce staff turnover which all help contribute to a higher customer satisfaction, the ultimate aim and goal of any business.
JS Online have a succinct strategy to assessing the relationship between a worker and his and her workstation, and how they fit. Firstly JS Online will look at the job being done and the demands on the worker, as this is essential to understanding the requirements of the workstation. Secondly the equipment currently being used, such as office desks will be assessed, judging its suitability for the designated tasks. And finally the physical environment of the workstation will be judged, with considerations such as lighting, heating and noise.
This assessment will allow JS Online to determine the efficiency of a workstation, and allow a report to be created on how to improve this. JS Online stock a wide range of office furniture which would be perfect for creating the perfect workstation, including ergonomic seating, stylish desks, and clever storage.
]]>The winter months can be depressing for us all, especially if we are forced to be stuck in the office all day due to the conditions outside. If seating inside the office is inadequate or is not comfy, then employees may very well become disgruntled and unmotivated, leading to a reduction in efficiency. JS Online has a wide range of office seating and furniture ideal to ensure that this winter any office is more than adequately provided for.
Good quality office chairs are vital to ensuring your employees can work and relax in upmost comfort, so they can work at their most productive. The Connection Venue Sofa from JS Online is the perfect type of breakout seating for employees, comfortable, affordable and stylish, the sofa is the perfect place to relax whilst retaining a very professional and smart look to the office.
At the desk its hard to beat the Herman Miller Aeron Design Classic Chair, one of the most popular office chairs, its ergonomic design is designed to provide ultimate comfort for the user, meaning that many of the posture and health risks of working at a desk all day are avoided and negated.
JS Online has a wide variety of office furniture perfect for making an office a cosy and welcome home this winter,
]]>The main piece of legislation that refers to workplace conditions is the Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regulations 1992. This piece of legislation covers the main considerations that need to be taken into account with workplaces, such as lighting, toilets, space and ventilation.
There are more specific concerns however if you manage or run an office workspace:
Providing correct and compliant office furniture and equipment can help reduce injuries such as RSI, and posture and lumbar problems can by remedied with the appropriate office seating.
Today’s modern office is one full of electronic equipment, and subsequently wires. These wires can be one of the most potent threats in the office if not managed and tidied efficiently and correctly. Investing in office furniture that comes with appropriate cable tidying and management facilities can really help reduce these risks. If you have existing desking JS have a range of Office ancillaries including cable management and CPU holders to keep things in order
Inadequate office storage can often provide serious problems, as equipment, stock, files and folders are left around and can provide tripping hazards; this can be best and most easily remedied by investing in appropriate and sufficient storage, leaving things on the floor is a recipe for disaster.
It is also important that your office interior is well and appropriately furnished away from desks. This is important for the comfort, happiness and safety of both employees and visitors alike. Breakout tables and desks are ideal for staff areas; they can help provide space and sections situated away from workspaces. They also give somewhere for hot drinks to be enjoyed away from PCs, again another serious safety issue.
In addition to your employees it’s important to consider the comfort and safety of your visitors. This can help be ensured by providing visitor office chairs, and waiting areas.
In today’s offices safety is just as important as comfort and as functionality. Fortunately JS Online has the perfect range of office furniture and equipment to ensure your office is safe, practical and attractive.
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If you’re having an event during the conference season and don’t have either the space or budget to buy new furniture specifically for event use, it’s well worth considering hiring office furniture for this very purpose. Ideally you wouldn’t want to take your permanent office furniture along to an event, as this is not ideal for either the event or the office space you’ve left back at your company’s base. Rather than giving yourself unnecessary expense buying furniture that you only need in the short term and will then need to worry about storing for the rest of the year, you can now hire desks, office seating and attractive chill our furniture for the more casual areas of your stand at low cost from office furniture specialists, JS Online.
JS Seating and Desking have an excellent range of office furniture available for hire at extremely competitive prices. With an office desk and chair available for hire for a week for under £15, you can pick up an excellent bargain and enjoy peace of mind, leaving you to focus on getting your event organised.
The hire furniture available from JS Seating and Desking is also excellent quality, so it allows you to create a professional and contemporary impression at those all important conferencing events. These events are of course primarily about marketing your brand or services, and making productive, valuable connections within your company’s field. Creating the right impression is essential in these situations, particularly if you’re a new company on the way up and people perhaps don’t already know anything about you. Choosing top quality, stylish furniture for these events is a straightforward way to make a clear impression of professionalism.
For conferences, seminars and events, you will often find that you require additional pieces of furniture and equipment that your daily business operation perhaps does not have a use for. JS Seating and Desking also provide such items as flip charts, lecterns, literature stands, screens and barriers, which can come in handy both on the day and after the event during follow up meetings and presentations.
For hire furniture, you can choose between a diverse range of options and styles, including executive and boardroom tables, reception, folding and banqueting tables, reception sofas and comfortable chairs, office and conferencing chairs, all in a huge variety of visual styles, enabling you to choose according to the branding image that you want your company to present.
The JS Seating and Desking website contains informative listings of all of these items, together with images to give you a sound idea of what the furniture looks like. Should you require any further information, advice or guidance as to which solutions would be best for your needs,
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Another important factor is the health and safety aspect. More and more businesses are realising that employees have a legal right to be comfortable and well-supported by office chairs, for example. More and more of us are having to take time off work because we suffer from back problems, and a poorly designed, or damaged office chair will only exacerbate the problem.
A recent survey carried out by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists has shown that up to 25% of office workers work non-stop through any given working day, so if any of them are using on inappropriate furniture they will soon start to develop lumbar pains, which can of course turn into a permanent condition.
Only one in three employees feel that their office seating is comfortable, a worrying statistic that says much about the long-term health of the nation. With the revelations of surveys such as this, a growing number of companies are reviewing the comfort and design of their existing office furniture.
Office seating shouldn’t just be a matter of sprinkling a few chairs in front of office desks and letting staff members get on with the day ahead. Companies need to make a commitment to providing ergonomic seating that allows for lumbar support and ensures they will go home at the end of the day without crippling back pains.
An ergonomic office chair is specially shaped to provide the perfect seating environment for everyone, and is the ultimate design for modern office chairs. JS Online provide an excellent range that will help your company to provide the ideal conditions in which to get the best performance from your staff.
JS Online also feature a selection of executive office chairs as well as visitor office chairs. They specialise in refitting the whole office environment, with office desks, tables, screens and everything else your business needs. They even supply boardroom chairs and accessories for all areas. Office interiors have never been so beautiful.
With such a wonderful selection of office chairs to choose from, many company managers consult their own employees to plan their ideal office seating. In recent years, health and safety has become a major workplace issue, and the instances of back strain and lumbar pain has led to a large amount of sickness from work.
In the more extreme cases, there has even been compensation cases mounted against businesses. Legal settlements can run into several thousand pounds each time, so supplying adequate seating should be a major consideration for office managers and company owners.
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