How to Choose A Quality Sofa Which Is Worth Your Money? PART 2

The Spring System

Customers should always check/test the quality of seating support on a sofa by sitting on it before buying. It should not suppose to sag and provide good support in the seat with resilience and in the back.

By far, the greatest seat support is the Eight-Way Hand Tied Springs System. The maker connects each spring to the adjoining one with a strong twine. The twine passes back to front, side to side and then diagonally in both directions thus tying each spring securely looking similar to a web.

Eight-Way Hand Tied Spring System

Second way is a Sinuous Spring Structure. Sinuous (No-Sag) springs are “S” shaped and run from the back of the seat to the front. These springs are supported by additional wires that cross from side to side. This also makes for a strong seat and it always an option in a slimmer style settee as it requires less space.

Sinous ("No-Sag") Spring System

Third preference is Web Suspension in which bands of webbing cross the seat and back like weaved basket. These are then attached to the frame to make a platform for the cushions. Webbing can be made of elastic bands, or out of natural fibers like Jute (“Saluyot”). The bands of webbing are traditionally manufactured about two to three inches in width. The strips are stretched across the seating frame and tacked into place to provide support for the cushions and if used alone doesn’t make for very strong support. However, in better quality sofas, it is used with a tensioner that fastens the webbing securely to the frame. The web suspension is the least preferable of the seating support options.

Webbing System

In other cases, some manufacturers combine two or all of these methods for their spring system.

No matter the seating support choice, your sofa should feel stable when you sit on it. Too much wiggle in the seat means that the springs are not attached well. If you choose a spring sofa, the quality and the quantity of springs are the best measure of a sofa’s construction, so compare the construction specifications before you decide.

To be continued...



(The Frame << Previous)  ||  (Next >> The Cushions)

How to Choose A Quality Sofa Which Is Worth Your Money? PART 1

Choosing furniture can be a tremendous task if you don’t know what you’re doing. The same goes with choosing a sofa. The range of style, color, wood type, spring system, fabric choice and differences in quality might confuse some people. And many people buy a sofa solely based on its appearance while overlooking its quality. In order to ensure that you are making the correct choice and paying worth your money for your sofa, here are some tips to get you going.

The Frame 

One of the basic component of a sofa is the internal wooden frame or its skeleton, How long a sofa will last, and retain its shape depends largely on the frame, and a high quality sofa will always have a strong, sturdy one.

There are two classification of wood being used in all furniture including sofa which is Hardwood and Softwood.

Lumber

Hardwood
Advantages of hardwoods like Narra and Mahogany are high durability and the ability to resist warping and shrinking. They also take different types of finishes and stains well, which enables them to be used in a lot of furniture and cabinetry. These woods also resist moisture and are good for flooring due to their immense strength.

Some disadvantages of hardwoods are that they change color when exposed to light, and have a distinct fragrance. Some need great amounts of polish, and others are so tough you need to create a starter hole before driving screws in them.

Softwood
Softwoods, like Pinewood and Gmelina, have a uniform texture and a low resistance to decay, which makes them good for furniture, windows and trim. Others work well in machines and are used mainly in construction. They are also easy to carve and can be used for detail work. A disadvantage to using softwoods is that they absorb moisture, so they are not as stable as hardwoods.

The best frame is made out of kiln-dried wood. The process of kiln drying removes huge percentage of moisture from the wood through heating in a huge oven like stove.  Moisture content should be about 8-12% enabling it to retain its shape and stability over a long period of time.

Corner Sofa Frame

In a good quality frame, special attention is paid to the joints, which are either nailed, glued, dowelled and screwed. The corners are further strengthened by the addition of reinforcing blocks. These provide extra support.

Generally plywood and particleboard frames are inferior, especially if they are held together with staples. However, additional layers of plywood may help reinforce the frame, so construction matters as much as material. In case you have to choose a sofa with a plywood frame, make sure it has has 12- 13 layers of plywood and not fewer.

To be continued...

(Next >> The Spring System)

Divan And Settee Profile

Divan and Settee a brand name of Scenic Enterprises Incorporated was established in the year 2005. Its first name was “Village Sofa” which became inappropriate for its purpose to provide consumers with quality furniture with reasonable prices.

Our brand started as a producer of knockdown sofas that solves the growing problem for small hallways and doors of condo units.

As years passed by, we noticed a drastic downfall in furniture quality produced locally because of swelling increase of players in this field where price only matters that sacrifices its value. With this regards, Divan and Settee started to manufacture quality sofas that make it cheap in a sense that customers won’t need to buy a brand new couch after a year or two.

We had integrated careful studies from foam padding, correct construction of internal frame structures, improved the efficiency and comfort of the designs.
That’s why on year 2007, Divan and Settee made partnership with reputable foam manufacturer to show our customers that we are committed in providing excellence that we believe where there is value. It has earned us good feedback from consumers as we continue to develop sofa with distinctive designs that will surely compliment in everyone’s home.

Up to the present it became our habit to constantly improve our ways of doing things to give you the best value for your money and meet your expectations.
The people behind Divan and Settee believe that every home deserves a happy and quality life, so thus upholding our vision to provide quality furniture for everyone.

www.divanandsettee.com
www.facebook.com/divanandsettee