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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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...
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