Any sofa that’s actually worth buying is an incredible blend of design, engineering, and even art.
Judge A good quality sofa it goes far beyond its appearance. Quality and appearance do not go hand in hand, which is why two seemingly identical sofas can vary greatly in price.
The different parts of the sofa not only determine the comfort level of yours sofa, but also its ability to maintain its shape and stability for years to come.
In order to make the best choice, here are some elements to take into account in this article.
The structure of the sofa
Perhaps the most important factor is the setting. A good quality frame will ensure that your Sofa it will maintain its structural integrity and comfort for years to come. The cushions can always be replaced, but once the frame is damaged there is nothing more that can be done.
How long a sofa lasts and maintains its shape largely depends on the frame, and a high-quality sofa is always strong and sturdy. When looking at the structure of a sofa, here’s what you should consider:
- The most perfect frame is made of kiln-dried hardwood. The kiln drying method removes all the moisture contained in the wood, allowing it to maintain its shape and stability for a long period of time. Green wood frames shown may shrink or crack as they dry. Softwood can bend and break more easily, while knotty wood tends to split.
- In a higher quality frame, the joints are subject to very particular attention. They are glued, doweled and screwed. The corners are further reinforced by the addition of reinforcing blocks for additional support and strength.
- In general, plywood and particleboard frames are of lower quality, especially when held together with staples. Additional layers of plywood can help strengthen the frame, so as you can see, the construction is just as important as the material. If you have to choose a Sofa with a plywood frame, make sure it has at least 11-13 layers of plywood.
Seat support
One of the important elements in determining the quality of a sofa is the seat support. The latter works in tandem with the chassis and the infill. A sturdy frame provides an anchor for good seat support and padding increases this.
It would therefore always be essential to test the quality of the seat support by sitting on a sofa before purchasing it. It should not sag and should provide good support to the seat and backrest. The three most common seat support options are:
- The hand-tied eight-way spring system is one of the best support systems. The craftsman connects each spring to the one next to it with a sturdy string. The rope runs back and forth, side to side and then diagonally in both directions, securing each spring securely.
- Another effective way is the sinuous spring construction. The sinuous springs have an «S» shape and run from the front of the seat to the rear. They are supported by additional wires that all cross from side to side. This provides a sturdy seat and may also be the preferred option in a sleeker style or smaller build as it hardly requires a large space.
- The third option is the canvas suspension, in which strips of canvas rest on the seat and backrest. They are then fixed to the frame to form a platform with it for the cushions. Straps can be made of natural or man-made fibers and, when used alone, do not provide very strong support. Combined with a tensioner that securely attaches the strap to the frame, it forms better quality sofas. Canvas suspension is the least preferable of the seat support options.
Pillow filling
Since we have already considered the structure and support of the seat, it is worth seeing what type of padding is used for the cushions.
The type of padding is what determines the comfort of your sofa. Soft fillings like goose down are perfect if you really want to «sink» into your sofa.
The most used padding is high density polyurethane because the higher the density, the more closed the cushion will be.
Always find out about the density of the foam to understand its lifeline:
- 25 kg/m3: 1 to 2 years
- 35 kg/m3: 3 to 4 years
- 42 kg/m3: from 7 to 9 years
The foam can be wrapped in a softer material or cotton. Dacron-wrapped foam is the least expensive option, but it won’t last long.
Make sure you purchase a high density foam, as lower quality foam can start to break down quite quickly, causing sagging, and the fabric will not stay taut when this happens.
Seat cushions are the thing you will feel the most once you get your sofa, so you definitely need them to be good quality. If you want to have a really soft seat, opt for down cushions. These are considered the premium choice and are relatively among the most expensive pillows. The high-quality pillows have an anti-down coating under the cover to prevent feathers from entering. Down-only pillows are high maintenance and may require daily attention.
They should be firm and supportive so that they can last and support your back. They should hold their shape when pressed while still fitting perfectly to the shape of the sofa.
Feather combined with other materials is also a good option, but it is also one of the expensive options. Pads made of Dacron polyester fiber and down, known as Blendown pads, are wrapped around high-density foam.
These pads can also be used with foam wrapped springs. High-density foam surrounds the coils, which are then wrapped in down pillows. The result is a soft surface with a strong and durable internal support. This is a good option because the cushions do not deform easily.
Overall, the quality is often not cheap, but a good quality sofa it will always be more comfortable and will keep its appearance for a long time. So consider getting the best quality you can afford.