sofa’s 101 buying guide
Sofa or divan is a major investment. And, you expect it to keep your family comfortable for years. Here is some tips before purchasing it.
Frame – a sturdy frame means a long lasting sofa. Soft wood, such as pine is low cost, but may warp or wobble after five years. Pricier hardwood (like kiln-dried oak, ash or beech) is more durable. Avoid frames made of particleboard, plastic or metal; they may warp and crack. Legs should be part of the frame or held on with screws or dowels (pegs) not with glue alone.
To test the frame strength, lift one front corner or leg of the sofa off the floor. By the time you’ve raised it six inches; the other front leg should have risen too. If it’s still touching the floor, the frame is too weak.
A frame with joints connected by any of the following means it is solidly constructed; wooden dowels, double wooden dowels, wooden corner blocks (or corner blocks glued and screwed) or metal screws and brackets. Staples or nails may be used for extra reinforcement, but never buy sofa that’s held together solely by staples, nails, or glue.
Comfort level and support – most sofas has sinuous, also called serpentine, springs, and preassembled units of snaking wire. They’re supportive, but press on the frame or sag over time if the metal isn’t heavy. High end sofas often come with eight-way hand-tied springs. They are comfy, but expensive. Feel the springs through the upholstery – they should be close together and firm. Sofas with no springs, just webbing or mesh are uncomfortable and flimsy. Sit down firmly on a corner or outside edge of a sofa you’re considering. Squeaks and creaks suggest that springs are incorrectly placed or hitting the frame.
For fillings, polyurethane foam is low-cost and easy to maintain. But the more durable, high density type can feel hard and softer, low-density foam deteriorates more rapidly with constant use. High resilient (HR) foam is slightly more expensive, but more comfortable and long-lasting. Polyester fiber is also inexpensive but flattens more quickly. Goose and duck feather filling are comfy, but they can clump. Top of the line: goose down (the bird’s soft undercoat) mixed with feathers. The combo is yummily plump, expensive (double the price of foam) and high maintenance; cushion need frequent fluffing. A down-polyfiber blend is cheaper, but flattens fast.
Two good options that are comfortable and reasonably priced: HR foam in a layer f down and conventional foam wrapped in polyester batting.
Fabric – sofas for everyday use need durable fabric. Cotton and linens are excellent. Synthetic microfiber can mimic most fabrics and is stain resistant. Cotton and linen can be treated for stain resistance, but even then they aren’t easy to clean, or as durable. Wool and leather are handsome and strong, but expensive. Silk is sleek but fragile. Fabric with patterns woven in tend to wear better than those with printed patterns.
MORE RELATED ARTICLES:
