The filling of the sofa affects not only the ease of use, but also your health. Since many people use this furniture as their main sleeping place, it is important that during sleep the spine takes the correct position and the muscles relax. The type of filler affects us even when we are just sitting on the couch. It affects how comfortable the body is to maintain a certain position. Let's look at all the pros and cons of a spring sofa, and also touch on another popular material - polyurethane foam (PPU).
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.
The best springless synthetic fillers
- Many furniture manufacturers prefer to use polyurethane foam due to its availability and ease of use. There are two types: gypsum and block. In the first case, special forms are filled with the necessary composition, similar in thickness to sour cream. Once it hardens, you will get the shape you want. In the second case, the sheets are cut into layers of the required thickness and size and glued together.
Furniture polyurethane foam is an affordable and convenient material for frameless furniture
- Synthetic down. The spiral silicone fiber returns to its original shape after compression in a matter of minutes. It has such properties as good quality and reliability. Mainly used for filling furniture cushions, as a filler for backrests and armrests.
Synthetic down - the artificial material of the future
- Sintepon. Very light non-woven material made from polyester fibers. The substance is hypoallergenic, so furniture with padding polyester as a filler is used in children's rooms and is suitable for people prone to allergies. They also stuff pillows and use them to make clothes. Eco-friendly material, does not wear out for a long time, is resistant to various fungi, has water-repellent properties, and is safe.
Sintepon - a material suitable for allergy sufferers
- Periotec. Looks like weightless, plump felt, is safe for allergy sufferers, and may contain wool or cotton fibers. The density of such furniture can be normal or increased.
PerioTec padding - elastic, voluminous and durable material
- Insulated jacket. This is essentially a 5-10cm thick wool floor sandwiched between layers of thick fabric. Furniture with such filling is soft, but has no elasticity.
Wadded floor jacket for making upholstered furniture
Sources
- https://mblx.ru/mjagkaja/raznovidnosti/1138-kakoj-divan-lucse-pruzinnyj-ili-penopoliuretan.html
- https://oboiman.ru/inside/napolnitel-v-divane-cto-eto-takoe-kakoj-lucse-pruzinnyj-ili-penopoliuretan-ppu-vidy-otzyvy.html
- https://rems-info.ru/chto-vybrat-dlya-divana-pruzhinnyj-blok-ili-penopoliuretan.html
- https://FurniLux.ru/gostinaya-i-prihozhaya/ppu-ili-pruzhinnyj-blok.html
- https://www.mebHOME.ru/info/divani/Vibiraem_divani_PPU_ili_pruzhinnij_blok_243_info.html
- https://OmkMebel.ru/myagkaya-mebel/ppu-ili-pruzhinnyj-blok-chto-luchshe.html
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.
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.
Which is better: spring sofa or polyurethane foam?
- Spring sofas are best for sleeping. They have the best orthopedic effect. Polyurethane foam varieties are more comfortable to use for temporary relaxation, watching TV, and playing video games. Remember, the more springs in an independent unit, the more suitable the product is as an additional bed.
- Models with high quality polyurethane foam are usually cheaper than spring ones. But you should be careful about the supplier - it is better to give preference to brands with good reviews.
- Spring models are safer. Polyurethane foam is flammable and creates toxic smoke when ignited.
Any type of furniture can please you with quality and service life if you choose carefully.
Let's sum it up
Thus, it is possible and necessary to use spring blocks for convenience and comfort. The main thing is to understand that a low-quality product will not bring you joy, even if you save a lot. Therefore, before purchasing, weigh the pros and cons of specific furniture again, and only then go to the store.
Reupholstering a sofa is a rather difficult process, but sometimes necessary. Any upholstered furniture takes on a very unsightly appearance over time, and the sofa is no exception. Various damage and irremovable stains may appear on the upholstery, which makes it necessary to replace it. We will consider this issue in more detail in a special article.
