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.
Foam rubber or polyurethane foam
Furniture store consultants often mislead customers. They say that the sofa uses polyurethane foam filler, and not old and outdated foam rubber.
The decoding, I think, is clear. PPU is polyurethane foam.
So what's that in the sofa? PPU or foam rubber? Let's figure it out.
Just a few decades ago, elastic material was supplied to the territory of the USSR. It was widely used in construction for insulation and sound insulation, as well as for stuffing various furniture. You might be surprised, but the name of this company is Porolon.
Due to its name, as well as the lack of competitors, foam rubber has become a household name. Like diapers. Although the actual material supplied is soft polyurethane foam.
The chemical composition, as well as the structure of polyurethane foam and foam rubber are identical. The only difference is in the rigidity of the products.
We usually call the filling of mattresses and sofas foam rubber, and hard slabs of the same material polyurethane foam.
Remember. PPU and foam rubber are the same thing. There is no difference. Just different names. Use the name that is more convenient for you.
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.
- 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.
- During production, it is treated with an antibacterial and antifungal agent, so it does not cause harm to health.
- Can last a long time and is wear-resistant.
- Has good breathability.
- 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
- Often you come across poor quality polyurethane foam - it will quickly lose its original shape, and the furniture will quickly sag.
- The material does not tolerate direct sunlight and begins to deform. During production, upholstery made of light-protecting materials is used.
- Polyurethane foam is a flammable substance and releases toxic substances when burned.
- For many, the high density of PU foam may seem hard.
- 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.
Advantages of the polymer matrix
The innovative material combines unique characteristics and relatively low cost. This allows you to create comfortable and affordable upholstered furniture. An additional advantage is the high production speed.
For quality rest
Elax filler was developed taking into account modern research in the field of healthy sleep. It provides excellent support for the human body, effectively distributes loads, and allows the muscles and spine to relax.
Practical advantages of Elax:
· instantly restores shape;
· provides elasticity throughout the entire service life;
· the presence of open cells improves breathability and moisture resistance.
Orthopedic effect
The material is suitable for people of different weights. And the combination of harder and softer layers provides a MIX effect: due to the uniform distribution of loads, the pressure on the vertebrae is reduced. This orthopedic effect improves the quality of rest.
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.
Advantages and disadvantages
Polyurethane foam has many advantages:
- long service life - the product will last for decades without changes in initial characteristics;
- reliability - furniture with this filler is wear-resistant and very difficult to damage;
- an abundance of options - a sofa with polyurethane foam can have fancy shapes, so the buyer can easily choose the right model;
- safe for health - polyurethane foam does not cause allergic reactions;
- easy to maintain - the filler does not accumulate debris and allows air and moisture to pass through;
- elasticity - polyurethane foam always returns to its original shape, for example, there are practically no seats left. They only appear if the furniture has been used regularly for decades.
These are just the main advantages of the material. But there are also disadvantages:
- rigidity - depending on the model, polyurethane foam has different rigidity, so owners of sofas with spring filling may find the furniture hard;
- Polyurethane foam in inexpensive models quickly loses its initial characteristics, and accordingly, dents form at places of stress, so it is recommended to take furniture from a European manufacturer.
Be that as it may, polyurethane foam has many more advantages than disadvantages; the main thing is to choose a high-quality product.
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
What is armor made of?
The brass lattice in modern orthopedic sofas is made from steamed wood. Steam treatment gives elasticity and flexibility to the planks, while increasing the elasticity of wood fibers, preventing them from breaking under load. For lamellas, beech wood is used, or a cheaper analogue - birch wood.
Wooden planks are attached to a metal base using brackets or special rivets made of rubber or plastic. Fastening with staples is stronger and more durable, and broken slats in a plate lattice can be replaced.
IMPORTANT! Please examine the planks carefully before purchasing. They should be golden, shiny and smooth. If you notice reddish or grayish areas, it is better to refuse the purchase. Most likely, such slats are made from low-quality wood or are not steam-treated enough. In any case, they are unlikely to last long.
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
Characteristics of slats for beds
Design Features
Lamels are a set of pre-slightly curved planks. They have another name - armor. They form a springy frame lattice, on top of which the mattress is laid.
The armor is mounted on a metal frame made of a square pipe.
Orthopedic slats for the bed are made from birch (economical option), poplar or beech (for expensive products). They are given additional protection from moisture by treatment with paints and varnishes.
The wooden lamella has greater elasticity due to the fact that the wood fibers have one direction. This is how they compare favorably with boards, plywood, and chipboard, which are difficult to bend.
Modern sofas can also have orthopedic properties.
An orthopedic sofa bed will give you a sound, healthy sleep. And if you also need a department for storing things, choose models with a chest of drawers. Read this link about the design of a bunk bed dresser.
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
Holofiber
Recently, technological developments have led to the emergence of a fundamentally new high-quality synthetic product, holofiber , which is in fact no longer synthetic padding polyester. Fiber filler is siliconized polyester balls that replace natural fluff. Holofiber is one of the most modern materials used in the production of sofas . The microstructure of holofiber is a spatial spiral (as opposed to straight fiber, as in padding polyester), which allows it to perfectly retain its shape and easily restore it. It is more hygienic than natural and other synthetic fillers, moisture-resistant, comfortable and cozy. This is an environmentally friendly, non-allergenic and non-toxic product. Fiber filler is a siliconized fiber that is formed into balls using special equipment. Thanks to this, in contrast to synthetic fiber, which, being a budget option, is tightly stuffed into the pillow and, after distribution, is a tightly stuffed object, a fiber pillow, which is stuffed loosely and allows the fiber to move inside the pillow, creates a unique shape that is suitable only for you. Holofiber is a material for filling pillows in the form of cocoon balls made of synthetic spiral fibers treated with silicone. The balls are twisted fiber treated with silicone emulsion. The fibers, intertwined with each other, form a springy structure. This property allows the fiber to quickly restore its shape after being crushed and to have high resistance to maintaining its shape over time. The fiber structure is soft, breathable, has anti-allergenic properties, does not absorb foreign odors, does not form dust, and does not form lumps. This filler is not flammable (melts, but does not support combustion). Fiber fiber has unique qualities: Durable. Finished products using holofiber quickly restore their shape after compression and are especially soft. environmentally friendly high-tech down substitute fiber does not cause allergies, which is very important for the health of modern people. Unique quality of the filler: hypoallergenic. The most important property of fiber filler is its hygiene , the ability not to absorb odors and dust, and as a result the absence of allergic reactions upon contact. Orthopedic properties. A particularly valuable quality of fiber filler is manifested in the fact that products made from it take the shape of the body. Sophisticated fiber processing technology allows them to move independently of each other, so the durable, springy structure does not fall off after prolonged use. Antistatic properties. Special antistatic treatment of our products is absolutely harmless to health. Environmental Safety. The environmental friendliness and non-toxicity of fiber fiber has secured its reputation as the most popular filler. Cozy microclimate. Fiber fiber consists of many twisted fibers, leaving air space between them, which allows the filler to “breathe”. Durability. Fiber fiber will not lose volume during operation like cheaper synthetic fillers. A product with such a filler easily returns to its original shape, even after prolonged deformation. Fiber combines important consumer properties, such as:
- do not cause allergies - hypoallergenic 2. antistatic 3. special thermal insulation and breathability 4. orthopedic, resilient, elastic, light and voluminous 5. environmentally friendly and durable 6. is an excellent substitute for natural fillers
Products using holofiber provide maximum convenience and comfort during rest and sleep. Fiber is not inferior to down in softness, elasticity and comfort, while being absolutely hypoallergenic.
Who will be the best for each model?
It is impossible to imagine the decoration of rooms without upholstered furniture . A person with a bad back is better suited to a hard sleeping place; a mattress with an independent spring filler is endowed with all the properties for this case.
Bonnell is also hard and elastic, but distributes the load worse. “Snakes” have the lowest orthopedic properties compared to similar products, poor shock absorption, but you don’t have to sleep there; you can choose an item solely for watching movies.
In any case, you must follow the doctor's recommendations if you have problems with the musculoskeletal system or the spine. Healthy people pay attention to the price, appearance and manufacturer's company. But you need to look at the totality of properties of a commercial product, its structural components and internal structure.
Medicine and healthComment
Why is the filler called “snake”?
The twisting shape of a metal spiral, such as a snake takes while moving, gave the inventors of furniture improvements an idea of what to call the spring filler in upholstered sofas and chairs.
The “snake” is formed at high temperature. This is the only way to bend strong, rigid steel to the required parameters. To prevent the spring from rusting, it is treated with an anti-corrosion compound. Place the finished workpiece in the frame, where it is securely fixed with a special fastener. To prevent the “snake” from touching the upholstery and damaging it, a polyurethane layer is placed between them. Sofas with this inner padding are in consumer demand.
The reasons for this popularity are the following factors:
- Resistance to loads while maintaining shape under a heavy body.
- Long service life without defects or repairs.
- Quiet operation with no annoying squeaks.
- Ventilation properties, the sofa “breathes” and does not have adverse effects on the health of the occupant.
- There are no holes, bumps, or uneven spots on the bed.
- Easy installation and transportation.
Upholstered furniture with a “snake” installed inside is endowed with an orthopedic effect, so doctors recommend sleeping on such a lounger if patients have problems with the skeletal system.
The developers tried to get rid of the previous shortcomings of springs and made the spiral more stable. Previously, if obese riders tried to stand up, they had difficulty doing so, as they sank so deeply into the seat. Today, sofas are soft and elastic at the same time; they do not allow your figure to sink. The assembly of such structures is also simple, which the craftsmen do with pleasure.
Snake springs - like the base of a sofa
- Stapling Tool
- Nailer
- Pin-and-stud-driving
- Building
- Special
- Packaging
- Drills
- Screwdrivers
- PKT technology
- Spray guns
- Pneumatic grinders
- DIY series
- Pneumatic impact wrenches
- Repair kits
- Staples
- Fasteners
- Hoses
Snake spring
- one of the most common bases in the manufacture of upholstered furniture. It is a crimped wire, on top of which a layer of felt, batting, or foam rubber is laid. The number of springs in upholstered furniture seats depends on the size and purpose of the product. The furniture frame with a base made of “snake” springs is stable and does not sway. The snake creates good air movement in the product, the moisture that appears during use is evaporated and the furniture dries out very quickly.
The spring snake is made of special steel, has a diameter of 3 mm, 3.5 mm, 3.8 mm, number of turns 6-18, length 300-950 mm.
Application area.
Snake springs are used in the manufacture of mattresses, beds, sofa beds, couches, and armchairs. Spring snakes are also installed in the backs of upholstered furniture in the form of ready-made spring structures.
Peculiarities:
— Withstand heavy loads and do not deform — Furniture with a base made of a snake spring is recommended for use for people with heavy weight — Increase the life of furniture — High spring properties, do not stretch — High speed of assembly — Anti-corrosion coating — Do not creak — Affordable price
Methods for attaching a snake spring:
The spring is attached to the wooden frame of the sofa with frame brackets in the transverse direction using a hinge strip or clips. The number of springs in upholstered furniture seats depends on the size and purpose of the product. The frame bracket type L allows you to securely attach materials of varying degrees of rigidity to a wooden frame; the recommended length of the bracket is 19 mm.
A clip
is the easiest way to attach a snake spring to the base of upholstered furniture. This is a structure made of cold-worked steel strip coated with a layer of LDPE material. As a result, the clip is able to carry large loads transmitted to the snake spring, and the PVD layer does not allow the snake spring to creak when interacting with the clip. When forming the clip, holes are made for easy attachment to the furniture frame.
Bar for fastening furniture springs.
The advantage of the hinge strip is that the grooves for attaching the snake spring are located at a certain distance and there is no need to “measure” the distances between the fasteners as when using a clip, which significantly increases the speed of frame assembly.
Furniture with a coil spring base retains its shape for many years; if used correctly, its service life increases significantly. A rigid gasket is installed between the spring and the flooring material, which prevents contact of the hard parts with the upholstery. The snake ensures a smooth surface of the sofa and silent operation. Each spring works individually, providing an orthopedic effect. The springs relax the spine as much as possible during sleep, allowing it to rest.
