Hello! Welcome to Furniture & Textiles. This article is dedicated to the fillings of modern sofas. Remember the fairy tale about the princess and the pea? Truly, the young lady was an expert in high-quality fillings for sofas. Such dexterity will not hurt you either. After all, sleeping or sitting on an uncomfortable sofa is not a rewarding task. In order not to spend sleepless nights like a princess from a fairy tale, let’s figure out what affects the comfort of the sofa.
One of the important elements of the sofa design is the sofa filler. There are two main types of filler designs for upholstered furniture: with a spring block and without springs.
Which sofa filler is best to buy?
It’s rare that anyone makes a sofa for themselves with their own hands. Most people buy furniture in a store, most often paying close attention only to the design.
Such things fit perfectly into the interior of the room. But the service life and ease of use are determined not by the appearance of upholstered furniture, but by what is inside - the filler.
To prevent pain in the back after sleeping on the sofa, the filler must have orthopedic properties, that is, provide good support.
The strength and durability of the packing is important. Fillers with an independent spring block meet these criteria.
Some synthetic materials also serve reliably for up to 10 years:
- polyurethane foam,
- synthetic fluff,
- holofiber.
True, their service life without changes in quality is slightly shorter. Fillers made from Periotec, Struttofiber and Durafil will last longer.
Latex is considered the most durable - although products made from it are not cheap.
The material must not contain or vaporize substances harmful to humans. All high-quality fillers - synthetic and natural - do not emit volatile components and are hypoallergenic.
Synthetic winterizer and holofiber do not absorb moisture and odors, and fungi and microbes do not grow in them. Products made of felt and cotton wool, which can be used as filler for inexpensive models of sofas and armchairs, also do not cause allergies, but absorb moisture well and because of this they become moldy.
It is important that the material “breathes”. Also, when choosing, you need to focus on the optimal combination of rigidity and elasticity of the padding.
Sofas rarely use just one type of filling. Most often they are combined, which improves the performance properties of the products.
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Summary
In conclusion, we offer you a picture that clearly shows how complex modern upholstered furniture is:
Photo: lika-mebel.1gb.ru
Most pieces of upholstered furniture are now made from combined materials. But you can combine both high-quality, expensive materials and not very expensive ones. And not very high quality... The outcome depends on this. We hope that after reading this article you will be able to say for sure whether the sofa in front of you is good or not.
The best spring fillers for sofas
They are not at all similar to the usual springs in mattresses, which are found in older models and quickly fail. Innovation and the use of modern materials have extended their service life and made products with spring fillers more comfortable.
Spring block “Duet” EVS-500 DS from Ever Spring
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
98%
buyers recommend this product
This independent spring unit is produced by a domestic company that has the European OEKO-TEX quality certificate. Unlike other models, “Duet” is aimed at partners with different weights.
Two types of springs are arranged together according to the “one in one” principle and are activated depending on the person’s weight. External ones work with a small body weight, and internal ones - if it is large. The diameter of the spring wire is different: 1.3 and 1.8 mm, respectively.
Advantages:
- suitable for partners with a large difference in weight;
- anatomical shape;
- reliable support ensures comfortable sleep;
- optimal combination of rigidity and elasticity.
Flaws:
- high price.
The product is suitable for the manufacture of premium upholstered furniture.
Independent spring block SSP256 Zone from Silver spring
5.0
★★★★★
editorial assessment
98%
buyers recommend this product
Another domestic model from the same manufacturer has reinforced transverse zones, which allows people with greater weight to sleep comfortably on the mattress.
For the springs, wire with a diameter of 1.8 mm is used, made of an alloy containing silver ions.
There are 256 spirals per square meter, which allows the mattress to support a person weighing up to 120 kg.
Advantages:
- orthopedic effect;
- antimicrobial properties;
- increased “carrying capacity”;
- service life up to 10 years.
Flaws:
- it costs expensive.
Spring filler is used to create premium bedroom furniture. This is suitable even for large people with a lot of weight.
Pocket Spring Multi from Sever
4.9
★★★★★
editorial assessment
95%
buyers recommend this product
An independent Russian-made spring block is made of wire with a diameter of 1.3 mm and spunbond with a density of 60 g per square meter. m. This ensures lightness of the structure without loss of strength.
The springs are barrel-shaped with a diameter of the middle coil of 4.2 mm, and a support coil of 3.8 mm. The height of the spirals can be selected from 8 to 22 cm - at the request of the customer.
Advantages:
- increased comfort;
- breathable mesh;
- 512 springs per sq. m will withstand even a very heavy person;
- anatomical shape.
Flaws:
- high rigidity;
- not a small price.
This model is suitable for creating any upholstered furniture in the middle and high price categories.
TFK spring block from Accord
4.8
★★★★★
editorial assessment
90%
buyers recommend this product
One of the simplest models of an independent spring block with good performance properties.
There are 256 cylindrical steel springs per square area. Each of them is enclosed in a separate fabric bag.
There are two options for their arrangement: standard and staggered. The latter significantly strengthens the structure.
Advantages:
- double heat treatment of wire;
- supports the spine well;
- high-quality blocks - manufactured using Swiss equipment;
- low price.
Flaws:
- not too pronounced orthopedic effect.
Spring filler is suitable for making sofas in the mid-price category.
Bonnell block from PC "Spring Technologies"
4.7
★★★★★
editorial assessment
87%
buyers recommend this product
It is a classic design of double-cone five-turn springs. The spirals are interconnected by locks, which are located on the first and last turns, so a separate spring will not unscrew spontaneously. High-quality wire with a diameter of 1.4 mm adds strength to the product.
Advantages:
- noiselessness;
- 220 springs per square. m can withstand heavy weight;
- spring deformation is excluded;
- low price.
Flaws:
- does not have orthopedic properties;
- a single spring system has a “wave” effect.
Such spring blocks are used when assembling inexpensive upholstered furniture not intended for regular sleep.
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Expert advice
How to choose the right upholstered furniture for your everyday dreams? Experienced experts recommend, first of all, paying attention to the following points:
- Product rigidity. The choice depends on the condition of the column and the weight of the owner (the more, the more difficult it is to buy a sofa).
- Frame strength. Preference should be given to durable, high-quality materials that provide furniture with many years of useful service.
- Transformation mechanism. It should not only be reliable, but also simple. If you have to use force each time to unfold the product, daily use will cause damage.
At the same time, experts advise not to focus on decorative elements, built-in countertops and shelves; they play a secondary role and even interfere during the night's rest.
Manufacturer
Many who go to the store in search of upholstered furniture mistakenly believe that good and high-quality models are presented only from foreign manufacturers. However, most European companies focus on creating guest sofas that are not suitable for permanent use as a sleeping place. In contrast, Russian manufacturers offer a large selection of models with various folding/unfolding mechanisms - strong, durable and easily replacing a regular bed. And this despite the fact that household furniture for a wide range of consumers does not require complex care and is more affordable.
Spunbond
Spunbond (a type of non-woven fabric) is a non-woven fabric obtained by calendering (rolling through hot rollers) polypropylene fibers. The seat and back cushions are wrapped in spunbond. This makes it easy to put on fabric covers, as the fabric glides over the spunbond. During operation, spunbond protects soft materials from abrasion and matting, and also allows you to straighten the folds of the cover. Non-woven fabric is used to add volume and strengthen the fabric, prevents stretching of the fabric, reduces creasing, does not change the properties of the fabric, retains the size and shape of the product during use, washing and dry cleaning. The inner covers of back cushions and decorative pillows are sewn from non-woven fabric.
Properties: hypoallergenic (used in the production of hygiene products), non-toxic, tear-resistant, breathable.
Struttofiber
This material is also called independent non-woven springs. It is made from a mixture of natural and artificial components, which are laid in layers and fixed under the influence of a flow of heated air. If you are looking for the best filling for a sofa, give preference to struttofiber: it has excellent elasticity and wear resistance.
The material is able to take on the contours of the human body, so it is actively used in the production of orthopedic furniture. Struttofiber has the following advantages:
- resistance to rotting and static loads;
- fire safety;
- lack of conditions for the reproduction of bedbugs and other harmful organisms in furniture;
- water and breathability;
- absence of squeaks and noise during operation.
Struttofiber is a good choice for a sofa in the office or living room, or for organizing a sleeping area. It costs less than its analogues (for example, latex filler), but is not inferior to them in terms of performance characteristics. The only drawback of the material is that it may not suit the buyer in terms of rigidity. This applies to people over the age of 50, whose spine is worn out and therefore requires choosing a softer mattress. The use of rigid models leads to a deterioration in overall well-being.
Latex
Latex refers to a natural material made from the sap of the Hevea plant. Next, manufacturers vulcanize it to increase hygroscopicity and breathability. The filler maintains optimal temperature during sleep and has increased elasticity, so it adapts to the human body without causing discomfort.
Special stabilizing substances are added to latex, which increase its resistance to ultraviolet rays. Their total share in the composition can reach 15-50%. Latex is often combined with other materials (such as box springs) to reduce production costs.
If you are wondering how to choose a sofa filler with the best consumer properties, give preference to latex. It has the following advantages:
- service period more than 20 years;
- absence of allergens in the composition;
- pronounced orthopedic properties;
- environmental friendliness;
- no vibration;
- lack of living conditions for dust mites.
The key disadvantage of latex products is their high cost. This makes them inaccessible to a significant number of consumers.
Armor
Lata is a bent-glued product made from birch, the wood of which is very elastic. The layers of wood are glued together using a special technology, resulting in a bent product (plate), which has the ability to bend under the load placed on it. On the frame, the armor is located in special plastic armor holders, which are fastened with brackets over the frame. This way the armor is held tighter and does not pop out. Battens are also installed as a deck base on some models.
How to choose a sofa for sleeping: dimensions and shape
The choice of size of upholstered furniture is determined by the required number of beds. For one person, a sleeping place with a width of 140 cm is quite enough, and for two, it is better to choose a sofa for sleeping, which, when unfolded, will have dimensions of 160x220 cm. As for the shape, straight or corner models are better suited. It will be uncomfortable to sleep on a non-standard - shaped or semicircular structure. You should also take into account that a soft corner will take up a lot of usable space in the room, but the sleeping area will be wider.
What is the best way to stuff sofa cushions?
- Expenses
It makes no financial sense to spend as much on stuffing as on the pillow itself. Give preference to options that provide greater value for money.
- Material
Here, be guided by the features of each filler, their pros and cons for yourself personally. Since there are so many materials, including buckwheat, cotton, down, memory foam, polyester, etc., choose one you trust.
- Production
Prioritize litters made using environmentally friendly, ethical, or safety-focused methods.
How to choose the right sofa for daily sleep using the transformation mechanism
It is difficult to give an unambiguous answer to the question: which sofa mechanism is better. One way or another, any transformation system has advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at them in more detail.
- The “book”
is a classic mechanism. The advantage of the design is its reliability, the disadvantage is that it is an uncomfortable sleeping place (the resulting gap in the middle creates discomfort). - “Eurobook”
is an improved version of the previous mechanism; it differs in that the seat does not rise, like a “book”, but moves forward. The Eurobook unfolds more easily, but this design also has the disadvantage of a gap in the middle of the bed. - The roll-out mechanism
is one of the simplest in everyday use; it unfolds when the seat is pulled out and the backrest is folded back. The result is a wide, flat sleeping area. The disadvantage of the design is that the layout is not very convenient, taking a little more time than other mechanisms. - “Accordion”
is one of the most convenient transformation systems used in straight models. You can literally unfold the product with one hand; just pull the seat forward. - “Dolphin”
is a mechanism that is usually equipped with corner models. The sofa unfolds by pulling out the lower part of the seat; even a child can cope with the “dolphin”. - “Click-clack”
– partly resembles a “book”, only this design has so-called “wings” on the sides, which, when laid out, increase the length of the product. The disadvantage of the mechanism is that the layout is not very convenient.
So, which sofa is comfortable for sleeping? If space allows you and you have a sufficient budget, choose sleeping sofas with a roll-out mechanism, “accordion” or “dolphin”. If you want to save money, or you don’t have much space in your home, buy a “book” or “eurobook”.
How to choose a good sofa for sleeping based on its upholstery?
If you want to choose a sofa for sleeping, then choose a product with upholstery made of dense, durable material: jacquard, tapestry, chenille. Such furniture will cost you a little more than, for example, products upholstered in velor or flock, but will last much longer. The upholstery will be given additional practicality by a special Teflon impregnation, which has water-repellent and dirt-proof properties. If you don’t know how to choose a high-quality sofa for daily sleep, or are afraid of getting confused in the variety of fabrics, take a look at the technical specifications of the model you like. Responsible manufacturers must indicate the wear resistance class, which takes values from 0 to 8. Choose products with the designation 5-6, they are upholstered with sufficiently durable wear-resistant materials that will retain an aesthetic appearance for a long time, even with daily use for a long time.
