Fillers for sofas

Reliability and comfort of upholstered furniture directly depend on the filler. But if we are ready to understand the design features, we often forget about the internal structure. And it is in vain. Let's talk about the most popular fillers for sofas that are used by furniture manufacturers.

Table 1: The best fillers for sofas

Type of filler	Description	Where applicable	Nomination
Spring block	Steel springs of different types in the case	Backrest seat	The most durable filler for sofas
Polyurethane foam	Foamed, sponge-like material obtained by blending several synthetic polymers	Backrest, seat, cushions, etc.	The most popular filler for sofas
Sintepon	Bulk Nonwoven Polyester Fiber	Backrest, seat, cushions, etc.	The most inexpensive filler for cushions
Holofiber	Silicone Polyester Beads	Pillows, rollers, etc.	The best filler for cushions
Sintepukh	Highly crimped hollow siliconized fiber	Pillows, backs, armrests	The best inexpensive substitute for natural fluff

The most durable sofa filler - spring block

Block bonnel

Spring block

Snake block

Sofa with a spring block in the section

Springs - long-lived sofa world. Often, they consist of seats and backs of upholstered furniture. However, in the "spring block" is not so simple. Spring blocks are of different types:

• bonnel (individual springs inside the unit are connected to each other by spiral steel wire);
• snake (springs pass horizontally inside the sofa seat);
• springs with independent springs (the springs are arranged vertically, each spring is hidden in a fabric case, and individual cases with springs are interconnected in a block, with each spring can be compressed independently of the neighboring).

The block is mounted on a wooden frame. Outside the spring part is sheathed with soft materials (felt, polyurethane foam, etc.). In a good block, there is a soft layer under the springs and above them. The outer layer is durable fabric. From all these components depends on the final quality of the sofa.

If instead of a strong wooden frame thin sheets of fiberboard are used to reduce the cost, and the sofa is covered with a thin layer of foam rubber and cheap fabric from the outside, then there is no question of any durability. This sofa will fail in a year, or even less.

In this section we are talking about a good spring block, which is made according to the rules.

From reviews about sofas with spring blocks:

“I have a sofa with spring blocks for more than 10 years. No noticeable deformation. Even tired already. They took him to the dacha, but there was no demolition for him. ”

“They bought a sofa on the springs. Two years - and nothing creaks. We were very pleased. The next sofa only on the springs will be "

Pluses spring blocks:

• durability (for high quality blocks);
• reliability;
• allowable heavy load
• smooth surface of the sofa;
• surface elasticity;
• free air circulation inside (healthy microclimate);
• good moisture exchange;
• operating comfort;
• use for the spine (blocks with independent springs adapt to the shape of the body and support the back in a comfortable position, while removing excess tension from the spinal column).

Cons of spring blocks:

• creaking is possible;
• high price of the product;
• variety of product shapes is limited;
• expensive repair and replacement of blocks.

The most popular sofa filler is polyurethane foam.

Furniture PU

Processing of polyurethane foam sheets in a furniture factory

Other names:

• PUF;
• molded polyurethane foam;
• foam rubber (Porolon).

Many people think that foam rubber in a sofa is bad, and polyurethane foam is good. In fact, foam rubber is just another name for flexible polyurethane foam. But confusion arises from the fact that this material is different. It can be thin and soft (this is how we usually imagine ordinary foam rubber). Or vice versa, the sheet of PPU will be thick and rather hard. These features of polyurethane foam depend on its density. Sellers love to say with confidence that their factory “does not use foam rubber, only PPU”. To determine the quality, simply specify the density of the material. For the seats and backs of sofas, the density of polyurethane foam should be at least 30-35.

From reviews about sofas with filler - polyurethane foam:

“We have an Avangard sofa accordion. Filler PPU. It is already the 4th year, the mattress is in order, and all the mechanisms work perfectly. ”

Advantages of polyurethane foam:

• durability;
• reliability;
• a variety of forms and options for the rigidity of the product;
• does not cause allergies;
• does not accumulate dust;
• high elasticity;
• high elasticity.

Cons polyurethane foam:

• depending on the characteristics of the foam - spring lovers sofa may seem hard;
• cheap polyurethane foam is quickly pressed in places of the greatest loads (dents are left where they sit).

The most inexpensive filler for cushions - sintepon

Furniture synthetic winterizer

Processing of furniture sintepon sheet at the factory

The synthetic winterizer in itself is used as a filler in cushions. It is elastic and lightweight material. With its help, the elements of upholstered furniture are shaped and the desired degree of comfort (for example, a synthetic winterizer is often used together with dense polyurethane foam).

From reviews of sofas with a filler - padding polyester:

“The five large cushions of the Bristol couch allow people to sit very comfortably in their backs. Pillow filler - synthetic winterizer. The seat backs are high, very comfortable, They are soft, as if enveloping your body, but on the other hand, they keep their shape perfectly. ”

Pluses of a synthetic winterizer:

• low cost;
• ease;
• elasticity;
• good thermal insulation;
• moisture resistance;
• does not cause allergies;
• not susceptible to fungal infection (mold does not appear).

Cons of sintepon:

• too soft filler for sofas (it is impossible to use in its pure form for the seats);
• may clump in time.

The best filler for cushions - holofiber

Holofiber

The scheme of the mattress with holofiber

Holofiber as a good filler for sofas appeared relatively recently. It was created on the basis of the structure of the sintepon, but it differs markedly from its predecessor. At the synthetic winterizer, the fibers are straight, at the holofiber it is twisted. Hence the main advantage of the material, indispensable in the manufacture of upholstered furniture - the ability to easily change and restore shape. At the same time, it is not inferior to down in softness. But even before fluff, holofiber has advantages: it does not cause allergies, pests and microorganisms do not start there.

From reviews about sofas with holofiber filling:

“We made sure: the higher the mattress pad, the better it smoothes out the unevenness of the sofa bed. Holofiber 6 sofa straightened, no longer feel the joints of pillows "

Advantages of holofiber:

• ease;
• softness;
• elasticity;
• affordable price;
• moisture resistance;
• air permeability;
• durability;
• antistatic properties;
• anti-allergic properties;
• thermal insulation properties;
• does not absorb odors (including tobacco smoke);
• does not roll down;
• does not support burning.

Cons holofiber: no significant.

The best low-cost substitute for natural fluff - sintepukh

Sintepukhas the name implies, it is an artificial substitute for natural down. It is used when filling cushions. Due to the highly crimped structure of the fibers, sintepuh very quickly regains its shape. Even after a few years, your sofa cushions will not look settled and crumpled.

From reviews about sofas with a filler - sintepukh:

“The upper part of the sofa is Amsterdam and the pillows are lined with cloth (it looks like burlap). The role of a back is carried out by 2 huge pillows. A filler - sintepukh with foam rubber pieces. Pillows tightly packed. When you rest on them, there is no discomfort.

Pillow covers, if desired, can be removed to wash, but it will be problematic. The filler is in the case. There are still small side cushions. Sintepukh in them without pieces of foam rubber and a little tougher. "

Pluses sintepuha:

• low cost;
• ease;
• softness;
• high elasticity of fibers;
• resistant to washing and dry cleaning;
• does not cause allergies;
• does not roll into lumps;
• not afraid of water.

Cons sintepuha: no significant.

Summary

In conclusion, we offer you a picture that clearly shows how complex modern upholstered furniture is:

Most items of upholstered furniture are now made from composite materials. But you can combine as high-quality, expensive materials, and not very expensive. And not very high quality ... The result depends on it. We hope that after reading this article you will be able to say for sure whether the sofa is good in front of you or not.