Glossary
B.
Business Day:
A business day is a term that refers to a weekday on which businesses are open and operate. A calendar day is simply a day that is marked on a calendar. Porvata's business days are Monday-Friday. Typically our lead time refers to business days and NOT calendar days.
Butcher Block Table Top:
A butcher block table top is a type of table top that is made by combining multiple pieces of wood into a thick, durable surface. The name comes from its traditional use in butcher shops, where it was used as a surface for cutting and preparing meat. While butcher block table tops are commonly used in kitchens and dining rooms, we use them to create our butcher block computer desk as they provide a warm, rustic feel.
Note: Because butcher block table tops are made of wood, they can be susceptible to damage from moisture. They should be treated with a food-safe oil or wax to help prevent damage from spills or humidity.
C.
Custom Desks:
A custom desk is a desk that is designed and built to meet specific requirements and preferences. Instead of purchasing a pre-made desk from a store, a custom desk is created to fit a specific space, meet specific needs, or reflect a particular style. At Porvata, we specialize in making custom desks on a short lead-time and pride ourselves on being able to make office desks to fit any nook you may have or an office long desk for multiple employees.
Custom Depth:
Desk Depth refers to the distance from the front edge of the desk to the back edge of the desk, from the perspective of the user. Typically, we engineer our custom desk table between 24" Deep and 30" Deep but have the ability to size up or down depending on the needs of our customer. Custom Depth may help promote space-saving, organization, and personalization by allowing you to create a unique piece of furniture that fits your needs.
Custom Width:
Desk Width refers to the measurement of the desk from left to right, as viewed from the perspective of the user. In other words, it is the distance between the two sides of the desk. Our desks typically range in width from 42 inch desks to a 72inch desk, but we frequently extend or shrink our desk width to accommodate the needs of our customers.
D.
Durability:
In the office furniture space, durability refers to the ability of furniture to maintain its structural integrity and appearance over time despite normal use and exposure. Durable office furniture is influenced by a number of factors including the quality of materials, the design and construction of the piece, and the manufacturing process.
At Porvata, we use 1-inch thick particleboard with a laminate finish for all of our desks and tops and leverage our made-to-order manufacturing process to ensure our end customer receives high-quality furniture that is built to last.
E.
Edgebanding:
Edgebanding is a finishing process used in woodworking to cover the exposed edges of a sheet of composite material, such as particleboard. The edge of a sheet of composite material can be rough and unsightly, and edgebanding provides a clean, finished edge that also helps protect the material from damage. Edgebanding material is typically a thin strip of plastic laminate that is cut to size and applied to the edge of the sheet material using heat, pressure, or adhesive. Edgebanding is then trimmed and sanded to create a smooth, flush edge that blends seamlessly with the surface of the sheet material.
At Porvata, we use 2mm (millimeter) edgebanding on all of our laminate desktop options, compared to other, thinner options. 2mm edgebanding is more durable, attractive, and moisture resistant than thinner options.
Ergonomics:
Ergonomics is the study of designing furniture, tools, and equipment that are tailored to the human body and its movements. In the context of furniture, ergonomics refers to the design and arrangement of furniture elements, such as chairs, desks, and work surfaces, to optimize comfort, safety, and efficiency in the workspace.
Ergonomic furniture is designed to minimize discomfort and strain on the body, improve posture, and reduce daily fatigue. This includes factors such as proper seat height and depth, backrest support, armrest positioning, and fatigue mats for standing.
Executive Desk:
An executive desk is a type of large, often high-end desk that is typically used in professional settings such as corporate offices, government buildings, and home offices. It is designed to convey an image of professionalism, and is often used by executives, managers, and other high-level professionals.
The size and shape of an executive desk can vary, but it is generally larger and more imposing than a standard desk. It may also be accompanied by matching furniture pieces such as bookcases, credenzas, and chairs to create a complete executive suite.
F.
Finish:
In the furniture world, a desktop finish refers to the surface texture or sheen of the laminate material applied to the particleboard.
Laminate desktops can come in a variety of finishes, including matte, gloss, and satin. At Porvata, our woodgrain desktop finishes are matte, making them smooth and non-reflective. Matte finishes are typically more forgiving compared to gloss finishes, which tend to show finger prints and scuffs more easily. As a result, matte finishes have become increasingly popular in recent years, particularly in the design of modern furniture.
H.
Height:
Height (H) typically refers to the distance measured between the floor and bottom of a desktop surface. In the United States, the standard desk height is between 28 and 30 inches. For all of our fixed height products (non-height adjustable options) Porvata's standard height is 28 inches from the floor to the desktop surface. All of our laminates come standard at 1" thick, so total height is sometimes noted as 29"H.
28 inch height is designed to accommodate most people who are seated in a chair with their feet resting flat on the floor and their arms at a comfortable 90-degree angle.
L.
Laminate Desktops:
A laminate desktop refers to a desk surface that is made by bonding multiple layers of paper together with resin or adhesive, and then attaching this material to a particleboard substrate. This process typically involves heat and pressure which creates a strong bond between the two materials, resulting in a durable and long-lasting desk surface.
Laminate desktops are a practical and cost-effective option for a variety of desk applications and are what we specialize in at Porvata.
Lead Time:
Lead time for a manufacturer is the amount of time it takes to fulfill an order from the time it is received to the time it is shipped out of the facility. Lead time can vary depending on complexity, size, material and resource demand, and a host of other factors. At Porvata, our lead times vary from 1 business day to 4 business days. For our desks, table tops, and other laminate products, we typically see a 3-4 day lead time, while for our chairs and other accessories, we see a 1-2 day lead time.
Less than Truckload (LTL):
A less than truckload or LTL shipment is a type of freight shipment used to transport an item(s) too small to load out an entire truck, but too large or bulky to ship via parcel or ground. In LTL shipping, multiple shipments from different customers are consolidated into a single truck for more efficient transportation.
For example, we ship our 54 inch desk via FedEx Ground, meaning you would receive it at your door as you would receive a typical shipment. For our 72 inch long desk, we use FedEx's Residential Freight program to palletize and deliver your desk. FedEx will deliver your LTL shipment outside of your front or back door but will not bring your shipment inside.
L Shaped Executive Desk:
L Shaped Executive Desks are similar to Executive Desks in that they are typically higher-end office desks used in professional settings. They offer users ample surface area on a "main desk" which resembles the typical executive desk, as well as a "return desk" that adds additional space on one side of the desk or the other.
At Porvata, our L Shaped Executive Desks are all engineered to be reversible, allowing customers to change the return from one side to the other in order to match the desk to the requirements of their room and their working style.
You can check out our collection of L Shaped Desks HERE.
M.
Made to Order:
Made to order refers to a manufacturing process in which a product is produced according to a specific customer's specifications or requirements. This means that the product is not pre-made or stocked in a warehouse, but is instead created only after the customer has placed an order. It is a customer-centric approach to manufacturing that prioritizes individual needs and preferences over mass production and standardized products.
Porvata's custom size desk products are all made to order, allowing customers to choose from a variety of size and finish options to meet their needs and preferences.
P.
Particleboard:
Particleboard is a type of engineered wood product that is made from compressed wood particles, such as sawdust and wood chips. It is known for its affordability and versatility, and is often used as a substrate for laminate desk tops and other furniture pieces. Typically, particleboard is made from wood waste and other by-products that might otherwise end up going to a landfill. The majority of Porvata's office desk tops are made using particleboard with a laminate finish.
S.
Sturdiness:
Sturdiness refers to a piece of office furniture's ability to limit wobbles, shakes, and impacts that would typically occur with everyday use. Several factors can help make a desk sturdy, including: material, design and construction, base and legs, and thickness.
We pride ourselves on our materials and design, as we optimize for commercial-grade use and give all of our customers a desk built to last.
T.
Thickness:
While we mention height above, it is important to draw the distinction between height and thickness. Height refers to the distance measured from the floor to a specific point on the furniture (usually the bottom of the desktop) while thickness measures the actual material from top to bottom. All of our laminate desktops are 1" thick allowing them increased durability, sturdiness, and noise reduction compared to thinner designs.
W.
Woodgrain Laminate:
Woodgrain laminate is a type of laminate that is designed to look like natural wood grain. The woodgrain design on the laminate is created through a printing process that uses high-resolution images of real wood grain to create a realistic and natural-looking finish. The laminate is available in a variety of wood species, including oak, cherry, maple, and walnut, and can be used to create a wide range of furniture and decor items, including desks, tables, cabinets, and shelves. Woodgrain laminate provides the look of real wood without the high cost and maintenance requires, and is therefore the primary pattern Porvata uses to produce our custom table top desks.
