When choosing a sofa, it is unreasonable to pay attention to its appearance, bypassing the filling, especially when you plan to use the furniture every day for sleeping. If a few decades ago the only way to fill the inside was springs, today the range has expanded significantly - holofiber, latex, padding polyurethane, polyurethane foam. It is precisely the latter option that has become the main competitor to the usual dependent and independent spring blocks. Despite their popularity, each of these materials is imperfect, so the user should understand which sofa is better, spring or polyurethane foam, in terms of basic performance characteristics. This question is really important, because the choice of filler directly affects the comfort of use and the possibility of long-term use of the furniture.
Comparison
| Parameter | Dependent block | Independent springs | Polyurethane foam |
| Price | From | From 7,070 ₽ for 80×200 | From 4,853 ₽ for 80×200 |
| Noise/Vibration | May occur due to violations of operating conditions | May occur due to violations of operating conditions | Absent |
| Rigidity | Depends on the flooring layers. | Depends on the flooring layers. | Depends on the density of polyurethane foam. |
| Life time | Depends on the fillers, on average about 5-7 years. | Up to 10 years with high-quality fillers and careful handling. | from 7-8 to 10 years. |
| Height | From 13 cm | From 15 cm | From 1 cm |
| Folding beds/Transformable. grounds | Doesn't fit. | Doesn't fit. | Fits |
| Roll twisting | Rarely. | Rarely. | Yes |
| Age | From adolescence onwards. | From adolescence onwards. | From adolescence onwards. |
| Orthopedic qualities | Basic | High level. The higher the spring density, the more pronounced they are. | Depends on the density of polyurethane foam. |
| Strength | A basic level of. | High level. The higher the spring density, the stronger it is. | Depends on the density of polyurethane foam. |
| Comfort | A basic level of. | Elevated. Depends on the flooring layers. | Depends on the height of the mattress. |
Types of polyurethane foam for sofas and differences between types of materials
Polyurethane foam is a material that appears after foaming and hardening of polymer compounds. Known since 1937, it is often used as the main filler for upholstered furniture. The main difference between this type of slab is that it consists of 90% air and is very light. On sale you will find three main types of PPU filler:
- Sheet. May vary in degree of hardness and color. It is supplied in already cut sheets, which can be cut in production according to sketched shapes and sizes.
- Cast. Initially created with a specific shape. This helps to create non-standard parts, tightly covering the filler with a cover, leaving no room for air. The result is a soft but elastic surface.
- Highly elastic. It is used in the most comfortable, but quite expensive furniture. We recommend paying attention to such a sofa if you plan to sleep on it. PPU gives a noticeable orthopedic effect, which is especially important during sleep for children and people with problems of the spine and musculoskeletal system.
When creating upholstered furniture, a sheet of filler is packaged in a shell made of wear-resistant fabric.
The most important advantages of PPU:
- Possibility of use for allergy sufferers. The filler does not accumulate dust and does not emit allergens. You can sleep in complete safety.
- Availability of special processing. Compositions against bacteria and fungi are used.
- High level of wear resistance. Over time, the material does not begin to crumble and create fine dust that is potentially dangerous to the respiratory system.
- Good air permeability. Guaranteed that you will sleep comfortably even in summer.
But the material also has a number of potential disadvantages. One of the main features is a strong connection to quality. Low-quality polyurethane foam can quickly deteriorate and sag. Deformation may occur under the influence of strong heat and direct sunlight.
It is also worth remembering that polyurethane foam burns well, and the smoke from it poses a serious health hazard. Before buying a sofa with such filling, you should definitely sit on it - some buyers say that most models seem to them either too hard or soft. We do not recommend buying overly soft or hard products - this can lead to problems with the spine, pain and curvature.
Tips for choosing
Tips on how to choose a mattress from MnogoSna
It is impossible to say unequivocally that a mattress made of polyurethane foam or an independent spring block is better. It is important to choose a sleeping place based on your needs and characteristics such as body weight, habits, age and preferred sleeping position. Here are some tips to help you make your choice:
- Spring products on independent blocks can be purchased from adolescence. Before this, it is better for babies to sleep on springless ones. Models made only from polyurethane foam are not suitable - you should choose products made from combined materials. For example, from coconut coir and a layer of polyurethane foam.
- For people with an average build and without orthopedic diseases, any mattress with a height of at least 10 cm is suitable.
- Users with a large body weight (120 kg or more) are better off choosing multi-layer PUF+coconut products or mattresses with zoned spring blocks.
- If you need a mattress for a summer house where there is no heating, it is better to choose options made only from polyurethane foam. If you use your purchase in a heated room, any model will be suitable as a temporary option.
- Springless models are suitable for older people. It is desirable that the mattress be soft. Sleeping on it will not put stress on the joints and compress the blood flow.
- Products based on the Bonnel spring system are long outdated and are suitable only as a temporary guest option.
How to choose between springs and foam rubber?
To figure out which filling for a sofa is better - polyurethane foam or a spring block, you need to compare both types, based on the main evaluation criteria: ease of use, durability, cost and design.
The main thing is convenience and comfort!
The main criterion for each buyer is comfort - how convenient it will be to use the sofa for its intended purpose. Upholstered furniture should provide complete rest, correct, comfortable positioning of the body. Particular attention should be paid to convenience if the sofa will be used as a sleeping place.
The lowest position in this regard is occupied by sofas using the Bonnell block. Since all the springs are combined with each other, as well as with the base, the surface does not provide the necessary position of the body. The structure sags in those places where the greatest pressure is exerted on it. When lying down, the spine arches, thereby occupying an unnatural position, and is under tension. It is inappropriate to talk about proper rest in this case.
Furniture with an independent spring block provides a more comfortable rest. Due to the fact that the springs are isolated from each other, the load on the surface can be distributed evenly. The design does not sag and the back is in an optimal position, the spine is relaxed.
Filler based on polyurethane foam has a completely different structure. Due to the elasticity of the material, the surface completely adapts to the contours of the human body, ensures its natural position, and then returns to its original state. There are no marks left in the form of dents, etc. The use of such models allows you to relax better, quickly restore vigor and get rid of the feeling of “being overwhelmed.”
Conclusion: In terms of ease of use, it is recommended to give preference to sofas with an independent spring block or polyurethane foam filler with a lamella frame.
Durability
If the springs are made of low-quality metal or an insufficient number of flooring layers are used, active use of the furniture will lead to rapid wear. The result is damaged upholstery fabric, creaking sounds, and dented areas.
When choosing a sofa with polyurethane foam filling, you should give preference to dense, hard varieties, which have the highest elasticity rates. Elastic foam does not lose its shape after repeated compression. The use of polyurethane foam with less elasticity or poor quality wears off much faster - defective areas appear on the surface of the sofa. Otherwise, foam rubber has good ventilation properties, and dust does not accumulate in it.
Manufacturers often prefer to combine the advantages of springs and polyurethane foam in the designs of upholstered furniture. It looks like this: the base is formed by a spring block, and layers of polyurethane foam act as a layer between the structural elements. This approach can significantly extend the durability of sofas.
Conclusion: Spring blocks and polyurethane foam fillers can last equally long, it all depends on the quality of the materials used in the production process.
The problem of price and quality
The most affordable are spring sofas made using Bonnell technology. However, they are inferior to other varieties in terms of convenience. In this case, each buyer has the right to independently decide whether it is worth saving on comfort and relaxation?
Independent spring blocks have a higher price even compared to polyurethane foam filler, since their manufacturing procedure is expensive. The cost is higher due to the presence of an individual cover for each spring. Only after they are placed in pockets are the springs combined into the finished product. Polyurethane foam furniture can be purchased in both the budget and expensive segments. The cost directly depends on the quality of the materials.
Conclusion: In terms of price-quality ratio, polyurethane foam filler wins, since at an affordable price you can choose a sofa with good performance properties.
Design
The appearance of the sofa, especially if it is located in the living room or is an important part of the interior, plays an important role when purchasing. The choice of upholstered furniture on the modern market is huge, but the presence of a spring block does not allow implementing all kinds of design solutions - it has a strictly rectangular shape. If the sofa model has decorative folds, a carriage tie and other design elements, it is a design with foam filling.
Conclusion: Original ideas and non-standard forms can only be realized with polyurethane foam.
Springless fillers
Springless sofa filler is a material that is sufficiently rigid and elastic to provide support and ease of use, and to withstand the weight of the person sitting. A common characteristic for all is the combination of elasticity and softness in a certain range.
Natural
The choice is small, since filling upholstered furniture requires substances that do not cause allergies, weakly absorb moisture, and maintain rigidity and elasticity for a long time.
Natural latex is the foamed sap of the rubber tree. Thick tree sap swirling. During heat treatment, it swells, and the workpiece is then formed into latex sheets. The resulting structure is rigid, but consists of tiny pores, and therefore the material itself is soft and elastic. Latex retains its elasticity for a long time and is well ventilated. The advantages include low hygroscopicity, high elasticity and resilience. Latex is a soft filler. Not suitable for a children's sofa.
Coconut coir is the fibrous part of the coconut. A material with a loose but rigid structure. Coir is resilient, but not elastic. This is a hard litter recommended for healthy adults and children. Coconut fiber is insensitive to mold and bacteria, does not rot even in water, is not afraid of water, and remains rigid for decades. The only negative is the high cost.
Struttofiber is a non-woven material. Both synthetic and natural fibers are used for production. The structure is unusual: the fibers are twisted into some kind of springs. The material is highly elastic, retains heat by allowing air to pass through. The rigidity of struttofiber is determined by its density.
Horsehair is a long-known filler. Capable of absorbing moisture, but when dry it brings it to the surface. It is prone to caking, as it does not retain a certain structure, and under pressure it gradually crumples. Refers to hard fillers.
Felt and wool are rarely used for sofas, since its main advantage is to retain heat. For upholstered furniture it is not as important as for mattresses. The material is short-lived as it cannot withstand the load. May cause allergies.
Synthetic
Such materials are more popular as filler.
They are cheaper and rarely cause irritation. Polyurethane foam is a common option. The material is cheap, but absolutely moisture-resistant, insensitive to rot and mold, breathable and elastic. Polyurethane foam is produced in different hardnesses, so it is used for soft and hard sofas with orthopedic properties. The material is homogeneous, with identical small pores, so it does not cake.
Cons: not very long service life. This is due to the fact that over time the structure of the filler is destroyed and then the polyurethane loses its elasticity and lightness.
The sheet material has orthopedic properties. The lump load is distributed unevenly and quickly collapses.
Holofiber is a medium-hard material whose structure resembles springs. The filler is elastic, hypoallergenic, and quite cheap.
Durafil is a non-woven fabric made of polyester hollow fibers. Absolutely harmless, does not allow the proliferation of microbes and dust mites. The material is elastic and durable, like almost all synthetic fillers.
Sintepon is a material made from polyester fibers. Cheap, does not absorb moisture, soft, but quickly wrinkles.
Synthetic fluff - made from twisted and combed hollow fibers. The resulting material is in the form of fluff, soft and voluminous. Resistant to fungi and mold, not afraid of water, retains heat and shape.
For folding sofas, more expensive fillings are also used: highly elastic foam, Memorix. Such materials have a memory effect, absorb well and have high orthopedic properties.
Combined
This is a multi-layer filler, including from 2 to 5 materials of natural and artificial origin. This option is expensive, so it is used only in exclusive furniture.
The filling is a composition of several layers, for example, polyurethane foam and lycra in the middle, wool on one side and quilted padding on the other . The rigidity of the filler is determined by the polyurethane foam, the heat retention is determined by the padding layer. Wool also retains heat and provides ventilation. The combined filler is also used for frameless upholstered furniture.
They often combine a block with independent or dependent springs with foam rubber or coir .
The degree of softness and elasticity varies between different parts of the sofa. The seat and back should be as elastic as possible. Armrests can be hard, with a minimal layer of filler.
Spring blocks
Spring blocks are one of the popular solutions in the production of mattresses and sofa fillers. They can be dependent and independent. In the first case, all the springs are interconnected: when one bends, the others bend towards it. The second type consists of independent elements, which allows you to create an orthopedic effect during sleep.
There are several block options:
- Standard independent. Each spring is placed inside a separate fabric cover. Five-turn springs are used, which easily return to the standard position. Due to independent work, they ensure the correct position of the spine during sleep. The more individual elements, the better.
- Bonnell. This type of block is created on steel double-cone springs with four or five turns. They are attached to the frame; the structure has several frames at once. This helps build rigidity and reliability.
- Snake. The product is named so because of its shape. Manufactured from galvanized steel with a good level of corrosion resistance and undergoes heat treatment. Attached to the frame using brackets. The level of convenience and reliability depends on the number of bends of the “snake”.
Before figuring out which sofa to choose – spring or polyurethane foam, let’s look at the strengths and weaknesses of spring products. Among the advantages: long service life, increased level of reliability and strength - springs retain their shape for a long time; possibility of use without signs of deformation even with heavy loads; free air circulation and maintaining stable moisture exchange.
There are two main disadvantages. First, some models may develop squeaking from long-term use. Second, repairing a sofa will be expensive; most likely, you will have to replace the entire unit.
