Which sofa filler is better - polyurethane foam or spring block?

New leather soft sofa for a beautiful living room

Many, having completed renovations in their apartment, purchase new upholstered furniture, if funds, of course, allow. But the choice must be right. In addition to the durability, cozy appearance, and transformation mechanism, you should pay attention to the filling and ask the seller what the “filling” of the sofa is. How comfortable you will be depends on this. Nowadays there are a lot of fillers, you need to have an idea about some of them, their quality, quality factor, how long furniture with such a filler can last.

Types of fillers for upholstered furniture

Furniture manufacturers often use polyurethane foam (PUF) as filling. Lots of box spring sofas. Buyers are sometimes confused as to which is better, a spring or polyurethane foam, and cannot make a choice.

Blue orthopedic sofa with spring block in section

Sectional view of a sofa with polyurethane foam with a list of materials and components

How does it work

Filler – polyurethane foam for orthopedic mattresses and upholstered furniture

Before choosing a sofa, let’s find out what polyurethane foam is. This is a synthetic porous substance consisting of cells filled with air. During its manufacture, the liquid composition foams and then hardens. Polyurethane foam consists of 90% air and has thermal insulation properties. PPU is the same foam rubber, it is used almost everywhere - as a filler for furniture, toys for children, sponges for dishes, washcloths and much more are made from it.

Foam rubber sheet to give softness to products

It is widely used as a filler due to its compactness; this property gives softness and elasticity to the product. It is produced in the form of small sheets - this is foam rubber, and also in the form of quite strong and massive slabs - this is polyurethane foam. If the material is of poor quality, it will quickly become unusable and begin to crumble. Then it needs to be replaced.

What to look for when purchasing

The right choice will ensure long-term and reliable operation of the furniture, so when purchasing you need to consider the following points:

• degree of resistance to mechanical loads;
• indicators of rigidity and elasticity;
• orthopedic qualities;
• service life specified by the manufacturer.

In addition, the design features of the product can affect the service life of the product. When choosing furniture, it is worth considering its purpose, as well as the conditions in which it will be used. If an orthopedic effect is required, it is worth checking the quality of the internal filler, the reliability of the fastening elements and transforming mechanisms.

When looking for high-quality furniture, it is better to give preference to large chain stores that sell goods from well-known manufacturers. They have all the necessary quality certificates that guarantee safe operation.

Sofa Furniture

Advantages and disadvantages

Elastic polyurethane foam is used in the furniture and automotive industries

Polyurethane foam has pros and cons. Let's look at the positive properties.

1. The main quality is that dust does not accumulate in it, it is completely hypoallergenic. This ability is important for those who are prone to allergies.
2. During production, it is treated with an antibacterial and antifungal agent, so it does not cause harm to health.
3. Can last a long time and is wear-resistant.
4. Has good breathability.
5. Thanks to its elasticity, it instantly restores its original shape.

Imprint of hand shape after pressing on viscoelastic polyurethane foam

There are also negative properties

1. Often you come across poor quality polyurethane foam - it will quickly lose its original shape, and the furniture will quickly sag.
2. The material does not tolerate direct sunlight and begins to deform. During production, upholstery made of light-protecting materials is used.
3. Polyurethane foam is a flammable substance and releases toxic substances when burned.
4. For many, the high density of PU foam may seem hard.
5. Excessive softness of the material can cause back problems, and in children - curvature of the spine, so it is better for them to sleep on a hard surface.

Characteristic

Springs for the sofa “Snake” are a filler for upholstered furniture that has a tortuous shape. The material of manufacture is high-carbon metal of varying thickness. The thickness and frequency of placement of springs depends on the type, size and purpose of the product. Despite the fact that serpentine springs can be installed on all types of furniture, experts recommend not purchasing furniture with a serpentine spring unit for daily use. Application area:

• beds;
• sofas;
• couches;
• mattresses;
• armchairs;
• backs of upholstered furniture.

The presence of constant pressure can lead not only to a decrease in the orthopedic effect, but also to breakage of the steel wire.

To extend the service life, sofa springs are coated with a special protective coating that prevents the appearance of corrosive areas.

Polyurethane foam or spring block? Which sofa filling is “best”?

Upholstered furniture based on an independent spring block

Enough time has passed since spring blocks were replaced by materials that are used as filler for upholstered furniture - latex, holofiber, polyurethane foam, padding polyester. But what is better - a spring block or polyurethane foam?

Filling the accordion sofa on a metal frame

Comfort	This property is important for any furniture, no matter what function it performs. It is important when you lie down that pits do not appear, then there is definitely no time for rest, but instead of a restful sleep you will look for a comfortable position. The load must be distributed equally over the entire base. What can you say about PPU? It holds its shape well, has excellent elasticity, and adapts to the contour of the human body. Withstands a lot of weight and instantly takes on its original appearance. If the material is of sufficient quality, it will serve for a long time.
Spring blocks	There are dependent and independent. In the first version, the springs are intertwined and have long gone out of use. It is simply unbearable to lie on such a foundation; if you press on one spring, it will pull all the others. The second option allows you to have a great rest; in such blocks, each individual spring is packed in a bag, the load in this case is distributed evenly.
Thoroughness.	Undoubtedly, polyurethane foam is a durable material. It does not accumulate dust, has excellent breathability, and is harmless. Furniture with such filling will last for many years if used for its intended purpose. But if you often jump on such a sofa, which children especially love to do, then it will quickly lose its elasticity. The same applies to spring blocks; not all can withstand such loads, especially the inexpensive option. Economy class furniture will creak and springs will come out through the upholstery. In high quality sofas, a sufficient number of intermediate layers are placed between the spring block and the upholstery material, so the springs always remain in place.
Price.	Furniture with spring blocks is more expensive than with polyurethane foam. But it all depends on the quality of the material. Therefore, think carefully before you buy a cheaper sofa, otherwise the joy of the purchase will turn into big problems. Be sure to ask the seller what kind of filler is inside and what quality it is. After all, it depends on how long the furniture can serve you, whether it will be comfortable, comfortable to sit on or sleep on, so that the original appearance remains the same for as long as possible.

No one will answer the question “What is better?” Each filler has advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to decide what you prefer.

Video: Mattresses made of polyurethane foam, foam mattresses, types of polyurethane foam

I want to buy a sofa. I haven’t been able to choose which one is better for 2 months now? Help me to understand. I read a lot of negative reviews, the sofas have a terrible toxic smell, the springs start to creak on the very first day, some of the fabric breaks, some of them stretches. It’s scary to be deceived, because furniture is said to be included in the list of goods that cannot be returned. What problems are you having with your sofa? Where did you buy it, what model?

Woman.ru experts

Find out the opinion of an expert on your topic

Svetlana Chernyshova

Psychologist, Consultant. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Ivanova Elena Anatolyevna

Psychologist, Family psychologist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Semikolennykh Nadezhda Vladimirovna

Psychologist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Ershova Lyudmila Nikolaevna

Psychologist, Candidate of Psychological Sciences. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Podstavkina Esmira Nizamivovna

Psychologist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Chvalun Evgeniy Viktorovich

Psychologist, Consultant. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Zubkova Anna Andreevna

Psychologist, Gestalt therapist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Leus Nadezhda Dmitrievna

Psychologist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Lunin Alexander Andreevich

Psychologist, Consultant. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Volkov Roman Leonidovich

Psychologist, Psychoanalytic therapist. Specialist from the site b17.ru

Three years ago I bought a small sofa with springs for the kitchen, and one with polyurethane foam for the sleeping room. On springs - the joy of mine and my butt, foam rubber (I’m just saying)) - it was pressed in one place after two months, now it’s already thoroughly dented all over, I’m planning a renovation for the summer and throwing out the big sofa. Both sofas are cheap, I bought them at the market in a hurry, because... I urgently wanted to move in, but had no money. But I knew that polyurethane is no matter how the sellers praise it (they especially like to say “aviation grade”)))), so I wasn’t upset. My parents have had a sofa on springs for ten years now, and someone is always lying on this sofa) And nothing has happened to him.

We bought a sofa with springs, nothing creaked in 2 years, I was very pleased. The next sofa will only have springs. The downside is that there was no drawer for linen, but we bought the fabric ourselves from the same company, my husband made a cabinet, covered it with fabric and it turned out to be a cabinet-table on wheels. It was a little hard for me to sleep, but I’m quite thin, and for thin people they recommend a soft surface for sleeping, not an orthopedic one, and there was just an orthopedic surface. I’ll write a company name if necessary, I don’t want to deal with advertising.

We bought a sofa with springs, nothing creaked in 2 years, I was very pleased. The next sofa will only have springs. The downside is that there was no drawer for linen, but we bought the fabric ourselves from the same company, my husband made a cabinet, covered it with fabric and it turned out to be a cabinet-table on wheels. It was a little hard for me to sleep, but I’m quite thin, and for thin people they recommend a soft surface for sleeping, not an orthopedic one, and there was just an orthopedic surface. I’ll write a company name if necessary, I don’t want to deal with advertising.

We bought a sofa from Avangard, and it was made of beige faux suede. It was very easy to clean, they were selling an apartment and they also bought a sofa from us, it was almost like new. We will buy the same one for our new apartment.

I'll add more. Our apartment was small, so we took a sofa with very thin armrests, from the purchased fabric I sewed large sofa pillows so that it was comfortable to lean on, and when there were guests, the pillows were simply removed and 4 people sat quite freely on the sofa.

Ours on springs sagged within a month, although we bought it with a reinforced unit and it wasn’t the cheapest, it’s such a shame. It became almost impossible to sleep.

Related topics

I work on upholstered furniture. For myself, I choose polyurethane foam. It is more rigid than a spring block. You need to buy from trusted manufacturers. So that the sofa contains plywood and not chipboard. Polyurethane foam must be at least 35 density. If it is less, then this foam rubber is not designed for seats. From well-known companies I can say - do not buy furniture in “Color of sofas”. They are blacklisted on the Russian Consumer Website. The sofas are cheap and last for a year maximum. In general, look for wood and don’t skimp.

I work on upholstered furniture. For myself, I choose polyurethane foam. It is more rigid than a spring block. You need to buy from trusted manufacturers. So that the sofa contains plywood and not chipboard. Polyurethane foam must be at least 35 density. If it is less, then this foam rubber is not designed for seats. From well-known companies I can say - do not buy furniture in “Color of sofas”. They are blacklisted on the Russian Consumer Website. The sofas are cheap and last for a year maximum. In general, look for wood and don’t skimp.

I'll add more. Our apartment was small, so we took a sofa with very thin armrests, from the purchased fabric I sewed large sofa pillows so that it was comfortable to lean on, and when there were guests, the pillows were simply removed and 4 people sat quite freely on the sofa.

The best springless synthetic fillers

• Many furniture manufacturers prefer to use polyurethane foam because it is an affordable material and easy to work with. There are two types - cast and block. In the first case, special forms are filled with the necessary composition, similar in thickness to sour cream. After it hardens, you get the desired shape. In the second case, the sheets are cut into layers of the required thickness and size and glued together.

Furniture polyurethane foam - an affordable and convenient material for frameless furniture

• Synthetic down. The spiral-shaped fiber, made of silicone, restores its previous shape after compression in a matter of minutes. It has such properties as good quality and reliability. It is mainly used for stuffing furniture pillows, as a filler for backrests and armrests.

Synthetic down - the artificial material of the future

• Sintepon. Non-woven, very lightweight material made from polyester fibers. The substance is hypoallergenic, so furniture with synthetic padding as a filler is used in children's rooms and is suitable for people prone to allergies. They also stuff pillows and use them in making clothes. Eco-friendly material, does not wear out for a long time, is resistant to various fungi, has a water-repellent property, and is safe.

Synthetic winterizer is a material suitable for people suffering from allergies.

• Periotec. Looks like weightless, plump felt, is safe for allergy sufferers, and may contain wool or cotton fibers. The density of such furniture can be normal or high.

PerioTek filler is an elastic, voluminous and durable material

• Quilted jacket. This is, in fact, a layer of cotton wool 5-10 cm thick, located between layers consisting of dense fabric. Furniture with such filling is soft, but there is no elasticity.

Padded padding for the manufacture of upholstered furniture

Common features of different designs

Upholstered furniture, the seat of which has a spring base, regardless of what type of assembly is chosen by the manufacturer, has a steel spiral inside.

The common ones are:

• The designer’s efforts to create a model that is updated in shape, but still capable of providing a person with complete rest.
• The springs can withstand loads and there is no discomfort during sleep.
• Shaping surfaces to fit a figure.
• Long service life without deformation.
• No squeaks.
• The filler is high quality and environmentally friendly.

Sofa manufacturers are trying to produce products at prices affordable to all categories of buyers.

The best springless natural fillers

Any filler that is used in the production of upholstered furniture or mattresses has its own properties.

• Natural latex. It is made from the sap of the rubber tree using individual technology. It is foamed, resulting in the formation of cells, so it “breathes”. Excellent heat and moisture conductivity, solid material, very high quality. Shelf life is approximately 10 years. Instantly returns to its original shape after heavy loads. There is only one drawback - the very high price.

Latex mattress - high quality, comfortable and safe

• Horsehair. Excellent filler. The horse's mane is treated with latex. This is done to ensure that the material is elastic and long-lasting, moisture-resistant, and breathable. High quality filler, but expensive. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.

Horsehair for the production of upholstered furniture and mattresses

• Coconut coir. Fibers are produced from the coconut intercarp; just like horsehair, they are treated with latex to make them elastic and strong. In addition, they also have antibacterial properties, are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, do not rot, and are breathable. Furniture with such filling is perfect even for small children.

Coconut filling for children's mattress

• Sea grass. The most environmentally friendly filler. During manufacturing, the raw material is combined with jute. The furniture has sufficient rigidity, which is beneficial for the back and maintaining the health of the spine. In addition, this filler strengthens the immune system and normalizes sleep, as it contains iodine and various minerals.

Useful and healing filler for upholstered furniture - sea grass

• Bamboo fiber. Produced from young bamboo shoots. The material is able to absorb water vapor, allow air to pass through, and has anti-allergic and antibacterial properties. It is not subject to rotting and does not deform for a long time.

Bamboo fiber is ideal for mattress covers, blankets and pillows

• Camel's wool. Excellent breathable material, can absorb static electricity. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.

Camel wool is an excellent warm filling material for blankets, pillows, blankets, mattress covers and winter mattress options.

• Felt. Made from sheep's wool. Has good thermal conductivity. One of the disadvantages is that it can accumulate moisture, which can cause mold to appear.

Natural felt for furniture and other industries

Work order

How to replace the spring block in a sofa yourself?

Repairing upholstered furniture with your own hands is not difficult and even pleasant. Moreover, this can be done at home, without even removing the sofa from the living room or kitchen. Among the advantages of this method, significant savings also stand out, because professionals charge quite a lot for replacing spring systems. In addition, when choosing a filler yourself, you can choose the best.

Of course, before you repair the sofa yourself, you will have to do some preparatory work. First you need to purchase suitable springs.

In this case, you can choose similar ones to those that were or install a better option. It is also better to write down the sequence of actions in advance so that everything goes correctly.

To take measurements you will need a special tape measure. The frame of upholstered furniture is disassembled using a wrench. Staples on the upholstery can be easily removed using a flathead screwdriver.

Metal products cannot be changed without pliers. The easiest way to cut off the underlying layer is with a utility knife or scissors. At the last stage, when the upholstery needs to be fixed to the frame, you will need a construction stapler and staples.

When everything you need is ready, you should disassemble the sofa. At the same time, experts recommend photographing all stages of disassembly, so that later it will be easier to return the furniture to its original condition. Dismantling should begin with the side parts and armrests. In some models they are attached to the legs. If there are such fastenings, you need to place a block of wood under the frame of the object. This is necessary to avoid the furniture sagging on one side. After this, the seat is raised and the bolts are unscrewed

It is important not to miss any of them

The next step is to remove the backrest and then the transformation mechanism. You will see a block with springs. It is advisable to take it out completely in order to immediately check the condition of the frame. After all, if there are faults in it, they must be eliminated. All necessary elements are sold in special stores. Repairing modern fillers is not difficult. They most often take the form of spiral-shaped blocks. Typically, the thickness of the blocks is 2.2 millimeters. To repair a broken element, unscrew it from one side and then unscrew it from the other.

If the springs are old, up to five millimeters thick, then they can be strengthened. This is done using strong wire or twine. They are needed for tying the block. If there are parts that are completely out of order, they should be removed. Of course, if possible, it is better to completely replace the filler with a new one.

It also happens that the problem lies in twisted elements that are simply disconnected. You can restore the fastening of such springs to each other or to the frame using thin (preferably hardened) wire and pliers. In this case, the sharp parts should be bitten off and then bent down. A broken spring must be replaced with a new one. They do the same if it has simply become less elastic.

Sometimes the entire spring system fails. In this case, it is necessary to choose a different design. It would be better if it was of higher quality.

Unpleasant sounds that occur when the sofa is impacted should alert you. To determine their source, you should carefully examine the entire surface of the sofa using squeezing. Most often, this problem is resolved by installing a gasket between the metal elements that rub. However, after a while you will still have to resort to replacing the springs.

When repairing box springs, it is important to vacuum the mechanisms and everything around them. This is necessary to remove debris that has accumulated in the sofa over the entire period of its use.

When the spring is repaired or the entire block is replaced, the underlying layer in the form of foam rubber or other material must be returned to its place.

After this, the upholstery fabric is secured using a stapler and staples. The final touch is to return the armrests to their place and attach them to the frame.

However, in some cases it is still better to entrust the sofa repair to professionals. This is necessary if the furniture is antique - such models have complex design issues. Problems can also arise with leather sofas, or rather, with their top layer. You can replace such upholstery yourself with a simpler fabric one, or you can trust a specialist.

In the next video you will learn how to quickly repair broken springs in a sofa using a wire tie.

How to choose the right PU foam filler. What is that in the sofa

High-quality and durable polyurethane foam fillers

Not every polyurethane foam is of good quality. Only excellent polyurethane foam has the necessary properties. There is no need to make a difference between foam rubber and polyurethane foam - these are identical materials to each other. The difference lies in function, cost, properties, category. Before choosing furniture, be sure to ask about its density - it should be from 30 kg/m3. Accordingly, the higher the compaction, the higher the quality and cost.

Sofa with PPU filling on frame

The thickness of the material should not be overlooked. The normal figure is four centimeters. It happens that, in order to save money, a filler with a thickness of 3 or 2 cm is used. It is better to ignore furniture with a filler of this thickness. How resilient and hard a sofa is depends on your personal preference. The choice is always yours.

Beautiful and comfortable corner sofa filled with polyurethane foam

Types of sofa upholstery by purpose

The choice of filler depends on the purpose for which the sofa is needed.

If you are buying furniture for sleeping, it is better to choose a filler with independent springs: each of them acts on the load separately. This distributes body weight evenly and has a beneficial effect on the body.

Natural fillers are also suitable for sleeping: latex, horsehair, periotec. Sea grass not only relaxes the body, but also helps you sleep.

Among synthetic paddings, struttofiber and viscoelastic foam work well on the spine. Comfortable furniture and pillows are recommended for children and pregnant women.

The polyurethane foam filler lasts a long time and does not sag, dries quickly and does not accumulate dust. This type of furniture is best used in living rooms and kitchens. For the same purposes, padding made from holofiber, padding polyester and padding polyester are suitable. They do not burn and germs do not appear in them, which is important for kitchen furniture.

Mounting features

Spring blocks are attached to a base made of plywood or MDF, covered with felt (for better grip). In some models, instead of sheet material, wooden or metal slats are used, which are attached to the yards. Foam rubber, padding polyester or other filler is attached on top of the spring block. It provides softness and comfort.

If necessary, the spring block can be replaced with an identical one. The “snake” system is not difficult to repair with your own hands using strong cords and fastening with thick wire staples. Typically, such mechanisms are repaired independently or with the help of a specialist.

You will receive not only a beautiful, but also the most comfortable model, which will become an island of relaxation in your home.

Operating rules

In order for the spring block to last longer, you need to follow the basic rules for handling upholstered furniture:

• do not stand on the sofa with your feet, so as not to create a point load in one place;
• do not jump on it from a running start, so as not to damage the mechanism;
• carefully lay out and fold furniture to prevent deformation of the frame;
• If creaks appear or the sofa sag, immediately carry out repairs (on your own or call a specialist);
• When rearranging, do not drop or shake the sofa.

Careful handling of the sofa will increase its service life.

The more carefully the furniture is used, the longer it will serve its owners.

Highlights

Furniture springs are assembled using different assembly methods.

Therefore it turns out different:

1. Orthopedic property . In independent designs this effect is more pronounced.
2. Bonnels connected by wire can be pressed through under load in one area and in the rest; mattresses have insufficient ability to take the shape of the body.
3. Spirals are laid on materials of different quality and composition; the principle of fastening is different in all models.
4. A sofa with a “snake” cannot be folded out ; they begin to sag from long-term use.
5. Seats with independent springs are raised too high , which is inconvenient for sofas, more suitable for beds.

It must be taken into account that furniture with the highest orthopedic properties is not a therapeutic instrument by its intended purpose; it only relieves muscle tension and gives rest to the organs.

Let's sum it up

Thus, it is possible and necessary to use spring blocks for convenience and comfort. The main thing is to understand that a low-quality product will not bring you joy, even if you save a lot. Therefore, before purchasing, weigh the pros and cons of specific furniture again, and only then go to the store.

Reupholstering a sofa is a rather difficult process, but sometimes necessary. Any upholstered furniture takes on a very unsightly appearance over time, and the sofa is no exception. Various damage and irremovable stains may appear on the upholstery, which makes it necessary to replace it. We will consider this issue in more detail in a special article.

Video - How to choose a mattress for an accordion sofa

We will make a comparison based on 3 main points: convenience, wear resistance and cost.

First of all, let's look at comfort, because, one way or another, this plays a decisive role when choosing a furniture attribute, even despite the price, although it does not occupy the last place. A little theory about springy fillings. They are either dependent or not. What does it mean?

In simple terms, the first option has survived more than one generation, and if you are hoping to relax on furniture where this particular technology will be used, then you are unlikely to succeed.

The second branch is more interesting for its technical component. On the other hand, a filler like latex will really relax your spine and allow you to truly get a good night's sleep.