Sauder Worship Seating® Finishes Ahead of the Curve

by Keith Foster

Alcohol-based hand sanitizer can do this damage to a pew.

Sauder Worship Seating® continues to be the industry leader in innovation, development, and manufacturing worship furniture. In business since 1934, Sauder Worship Seating® understands that flexibility and adaptation are essential to succeed in today’s marketplace.

In May 2018, Sauder Worship Seating® introduced the use of the 2K polyurethane finish, an industry exclusive for wood furniture in the worship seating industry.

Sauder Worship Seating® exemplifies leadership, and customers regard them as the most trusted resource for quality products and services in North America.

Why the Need for a Better Finish?

We identified a need for a stronger finish that could withstand harsh chemical compounds found in alcohol-based cleaners and disinfectants.

As in-person worship services resume after the Covid-19 pandemic, ramifications followed.

Pews with the 2K Polyurethane Finish

When it comes to cleaning, many facilities use hand sanitizers, disinfectant wipes, rubbing alcohol, bleach, and isopropyl (all considered hazardous to wood finishes) to wipe down pews and wood furniture.  Most facilities use an industry standard varnish finish and as a result, these cleaners removed the standard finish and permanently damage the pews.

“In 2016 we recognized a need for a more durable finish. We identified the leading wood coating suppliers and spent 12 months developing testing and evaluation methods. After months of production trials, we were able to select the most durable finish.”

-Mack Warner, Manufacturing Engineer

What is a 2K Polyurethane Finish?

Our 2K polyurethane finish (2KPU) is a 2-component finish system that is highly durable and chemically resistant. This finish is applied directly to wood-surfaced furniture during the final stages of production.

The 2K polyurethane finish is a technological development designed to be more robust, longer-lasting, and provide a more durable finish capable of withstanding the harshest chemical cleaners and disinfectants.

The 2K polyurethane finish also is remarkably resistant to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Purposeful and preventive is the finish’s mechanical strength to absorb abrasion. Our 2K polyurethane finish is excellent in protecting wood furniture against scuffs and scratches from everyday use.

How we found The Right Mix.

To evaluate the finish, Sauder Worship Seating® created a test environment where each chemical (Bleach/Clorox, Isopropyl Alcohol/Equate, Peroxide/Oxycide, Quaternary Ammonium/Virexx II 256, Phenolic/Wexcide 128) was applied, rubbed in, and allowed to dry. After completing this process over 36,000 times, this finish did not show any deterioration in gloss level, thickness, or flaking in cross-hatch adhesion testing.

Sustainability engineers have recognized the 2K polyurethane finish as a GREENGUARD Gold-certified product in environmental testing efforts for off-gas and chemical emissions. This certification means it’s is scientifically proven to have low chemical emissions.

Good air quality is essential, and it is considered safe for home and healthcare environments. Therefore, 2K polyurethane finish complies with the Indoor Air Quality standards (IAQ).

Sauder Worship Seating is continually working to maintain and implement greener practices and methods of sustainability. Environmental | GREENGUARD | BIFMA | Sauder Worship Seating

Is the new finish for places of worship only?

The 2K polyurethane finish applies to our wood surfaced products anywhere that you may find furniture for the way you worship, from churches and cathedrals to synagogues and temples. 

Whether the finish applies to chairs, pews, or platform furniture that are found in a place of worship. The Sauder finish is also used in higher education settings, courthouses, hospitals. The 2K polyurethane finish is applicable in various markets under the Sauder Manufacturing® umbrella.

Setting the New Standard.

Sauder Worship Seating® requires an exceptional quality as the standard for our factory finish, and such specifications make the 2K polyurethane finish superior in appearance, performance, and consistency. This 2K polyurethane finish is distinctive to Sauder Worship Seating® and Sauder Manufacturing®. For an advanced application with many benefits preserving and protecting the integrity, beauty, and longevity of wood furniture, it’s easy to see why Sauder Worship Seating® continues to be ahead of the curve.

Resources

Sauder Worship Seating provides cleaning recommendations on how to disinfect your seating. Cleaning Pews | Disinfecting Pews | Cleaning Church Furniture (sauderworship.com). For future projects, renovations, and replacements, consider Sauder Worship Seating®, the industry’s leading expert in innovation, quality, and service from start to finish. To learn more about Sauder Worship Seating or Sauder Courtroom, visit SauderWorship.com or SauderCourtroom.com


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