Yes it can! Made correctly, a good chair can make you pain free! So why is it that so many chair manufacturers can’t make a chair that lasts and is comfortable? Sadly the answer is… wanting more money from you. How do they do that? By using outdated techniques and technology that breaks down quickly or is cheap, causing you to come back again every few years to spend even more money to replace your broken down chair. That sucks!

So what makes a good quality, long lasting chairs?

Basically there are three parts to a chair that, if done correctly, will make your recliner the best seat in the house! You should always ask about these components when looking into buying a chair, knowing the answers can help you choose the best chair for you! Those questions are about the frame, the filler and the ergonomics (if there even are any).

The Frame

Steel is by far the Achilles of the three types of frames you see on chairs. It gives the frame untold strength and longevity, but (like the aforementioned demigod) with one hitch, if two steel parts touch or rub against each other, there is a risk of rust and corrosion. This is especially true in humid environments. You will often find that steel frames are hidden on the inside of the chair.

Wood frames, on the other hand, are more often showcased as part of the overall style of the chair. Solid wood frames are made of one solid piece of wood and are extremely beautiful, but can weaken over time.

Laminated wood is multiple pieces of solid wood held together with high pressure and laminate, these can be stronger that solid wood yet still show their natural grain. Laminate wood is also most often shown as part of the chair’s design.

Particle board however is something that should be avoided. Essentially wood chips glued together, particle board doesn’t last very long and is unsightly to look at. This is why it’s always hidden underneath the upholstery and often not mentioned to the customer.

The Foam

So why is this a big deal, isn’t foam just foam? Well have you ever seen a cutout of foam you bought at the local store? Ever noticed those large air pockets in the foam? Those come from hot poured foam. The process of heating the foam leaves bubbles in the mixture, much like boiling water. You see the thing is that these air pockets not only detract from the overall support of the foam, but also aid in degradation of foam. Air pockets of different size can puncture each other, which is the cause of foam degradation. The solution is cold pouring your foam. Cold pouring the foam onto the frame prevents larger cells from puncturing each other due to different sizes and extends the life of the chair.

The Ergonomics

Most chairs will fold flat when reclining, creating a gap between your low back and the seat. This gap is detrimental to your spine and is large part of why a chair can feel so uncomfortable after a while. What you should be looking for is a chair that glides back instead of folding. This contours the seat to your body naturally, supporting your back the entire way. A built in Lumbar support should also be key, some are inflatable, some mechanical and some still are made to contour to you without you needing to touch it. However a lumbar support is present in a chair, it must fit you properly, if it’s too low or too high you’ll end with back pain and fatigue