Choosing exam table upholstery is not as straightforward as you might think. There are many different types of exam table upholstered fabrics to choose from, and each has its benefits. No matter what type of exam room furniture you have, though, it’s important that all your fabric options are durable enough for heavy use, comfortable for exam room patients and staff, allergen resistant, and easy to clean.

There are many factors to consider when choosing exam table upholstery. They include:

1. The Exam Room’s Purpose

If your exam rooms are used for multiple purposes, it’s important to choose exam table upholstery that is flexible enough to suit any environment. If you plan to use exam tables for patients who just need a routine exam or blood test, vinyl may be a good choice as it can be easily wiped down after each use without being damaged by harsh cleaning solutions.

On the other hand, if your exam room is used for more intensive exams, such as MRIs or CTs, you might want medical table upholstery that can stand up to the use of radiological equipment. Porous exam table fabrics won’t block electromagnetic radiation from privacy screens correctly and require exam rooms to be re-carpeted after each exam. Heavy medical-grade vinyl exam table fabrics are your best bet in this case.

2. Your Area’s Climate

The climate of the region you work in should influence your decisions about which table upholstery is best suited for your exam rooms. Consider whether the heat, cold, or humidity will affect exam room spaces more heavily than others. The steam from hot x-ray film can damage exam table upholstery, so specialists need table backings that can stand up to rigorous conditions in areas where the climate is hot and humid.

3. Level of Allergen Resistance

Allergen resistance is important in exam rooms where multiple patients are seen next to each other for exams and procedures, such as pediatric exam rooms, physical therapy exam rooms and dentist’s exam rooms, or multi-use exam facilities. You want every patient’s exam room experience to be as comfortable, private, and secure as possible. Therefore, you’ll need allergen-resistant exam table upholstery that is easy to clean between patients using standard cleaning solutions such as an antibacterial cleaner or commercial disinfectant.

4. Your Preferred Material

Here are some fabric types to consider when choosing medical table upholstery:

• Vinyl exam table upholstery: Vinyl exam table coverings are probably the most common exam room interior textile. This economical exam table cloth is easily cleaned and disinfected with a wipe down but is not as durable or long-lasting as other exam room fabrics.
• Cotton exam table upholstery: If you prefer your exam rooms to feel more homey than clinical, check out cotton upholstery which can come in many styles. The easier care of dry-cleaning makes this material useful for medical offices that see lots of patients regularly.
• Synthetic Exam Table Upholstery: To give your clinic a high-tech look, synthetic fabrics can be a great choice. They are easy to clean and disinfect but will not wear as well as cotton exam table covers.
• Wool exam table coverings: For a softer feel exam room fabric, consider wool which offers warmth in winter and coolness in summer without the weight or itchiness of other synthetic fabrics. However, this type of exam table upholstery may not provide as much stain resistance as other fabrics.

Medical table upholstery needs to be durable so it can stand up to daily use in exam rooms. It should also be easy to clean, disinfect or sterilize between patients. That is why you need to choose an upholstery service that understands this. For the best exam table upholstery, restaurant upholstery, or commercial upholstery repairs, call us today.