Sanctuary Seating Options: Pews vs Chairs for Your Church

When planning a church renovation, one of the first questions is:
“What are our sanctuary seating options?”

Should we reupholster our existing pews or switch to church chairs? The answer depends on your building type, flooring, and how your space is used.

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Step 1: Assess Your Building Before Choosing Seating

Start by evaluating your facility.
Do you already have a fellowship hall or multipurpose area for meals, youth programs, or events? If you do, then your sanctuary likely doesn’t need the flexibility of moving or stacking chairs.

That flexibility is really the only major advantage of church chairs, and if you already have other flexible spaces, reupholstering your pews is often the smarter, longer-term choice.

📖 Tip: Check your own fellowship hall layout before investing in new seating. If you already have space for flexible seating, your sanctuary can remain traditional and unified.

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Step 2: Flat or Sloped Floor? Why It Matters for Sanctuary Seating

If your floor is even slightly sloped, you’ll need to pay attention to building code.
Under the International Building Code (IBC), any individual seats placed on a sloped floor must be permanently anchored to the structure for safety.

Most metal-frame church chairs are not built for that—hollow frames can’t be bolted safely without compromising strength. That eliminates the one advantage of chairs—mobility.

In contrast, pews are always compliant on both flat and sloped floors and stay perfectly aligned for decades.

📚 Reference: Official International Building Code Overview (ICCSafe.org)

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Step 3: Why Reupholstered Pews Are a Smart, Long-Term Investment

 

If your pews are structurally sound, reupholstery gives you the comfort and beauty of new seating without the cost or compliance challenges.

Benefits of Pew Reupholstery

• Cost-Effective: Often half the price of replacement.

• Durable: Solid-wood frames outlast most modern furniture.

• Customizable: Choose updated fabrics, foam, and finishes.

• Low Maintenance: Fixed seating means no shifting or gapping.

• Carpet-Safe: Anchored pews don’t snag or wear down loop carpet.

• Code-Friendly: Always suitable for flat or sloped floors.

Reupholstery preserves the craftsmanship your sanctuary was built with while refreshing its comfort and style.

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Step 4: When Church Chairs Make Sense

Church chairs can absolutely be useful—in the right setting.

They work best in:

• Flat-floor multipurpose rooms

• Choir lofts and classrooms

• Temporary worship areas

Considerations

• Not Reupholsterable: Factory-sealed; cannot be recovered later.

• Fixed Width: Typically 20–22 inches wide, less flexible for comfort.

• Ganging Hooks: Keep rows aligned, but need constant adjustment.

• Loop Carpet Damage: Chair legs can snag or unravel loops.

• Color Mismatch: Replacement models often change over time.

So while chairs have value for smaller, flexible areas, pews remain the best long-term choice for sanctuaries that need permanence, alignment, and code compliance.

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Step 5: Compare the Options

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Step 6: Find the Right Balance

Many churches combine both: pews in the sanctuary for worship and chairs in multipurpose rooms for flexibility.
Before replacing pews, evaluate your floor slope, building layout, and congregation’s long-term needs.

Most discover that reupholstering existing pews provides comfort, beauty, and compliance—without losing the warmth and tradition their members love.

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Ready to Renew Your Sanctuary Seating?

At Sharpe’s Church Interiors, we specialize in on-site pew reupholstery, carpet installation, and complete sanctuary design solutions.
Our team has revitalized church seating in sanctuaries nationwide with craftsmanship that honors your ministry and space.

👉 Request a Free Pew Upholstery Quote
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