Why should you choose a sofa with polyurethane foam as a filler? Advantages, disadvantages and features of the filler
Buying a sofa with polyurethane foam as a filler is a great idea for those who value comfort and quality! Technologically advanced highly elastic polyurethane foam is very popular. Thanks to its structure, it has much better body support, comfort and resilience (elasticity and flexibility). Compared to standard foam filling, highly elastic foam is more flexible and has a longer service life. A feeling of softness and evenly increasing comfortable support during use.
Comfortable, highly elastic foams are characterized by a high comfort coefficient, the so-called SAG factor - above 3 - which provides ideal comfort for the user, which is especially important for mattresses and upholstered furniture.
Polyurethane products are distinguished, among other things, by good flexibility (even at high hardness) and unique resistance to abrasion and tearing. At the same time, finished products are not damaged during intensive use.
Selecting the appropriate types of polyurethane foam allows you to use the appropriate fillings for the sofa. Soft and hard polyurethane foam is only part of the task of upholstered furniture designers. Flexible foams of varying hardness and density are available in highly flexible, viscous (memory foam), standard and non-flammable foams. The possibilities for choosing materials are very large and allow you to obtain the desired quality of upholstered furniture.
You can choose a sofa made of polyurethane foam by looking at our catalog of sofas on the website.
What are the features of polyurethane foam as a material in the furniture industry?
Features of the material
Polyurethane foam has found its greatest application in the furniture industry. Today it is difficult to imagine mattresses, upholstered furniture, garden furniture, car upholstery materials or even foam toys without the use of polyurethane foam. Polyurethane foams are produced in different shapes, densities, hardness, and colors. The functionality of upholstery foams and their diversity have made it possible to use this material wherever you need comfort while sleeping and sitting, silence or the lightness of solids. Polyurethane foam and upholstery sponge surround us every day in public and private spaces.
The furniture industry is one of the fastest growing in the Russian market. The high development potential of this sector and the market maturity of manufacturers have a significant impact on the domestic production of polyurethane foam. It is a frequently used material for upholstered furniture and mattresses.
Soft polyurethane foam is used in the production of furniture and sleeping mattresses. Almost 75% of European production of this material is intended for furniture manufacturers. The demand for this material in the markets is estimated at more than one million tons per year. A good situation in the furniture market means a satisfactory state of PU foam production in Russia. The demand for them is growing every year. It is not surprising, because they are now the main factor influencing the comfort, durability, and safety of furniture.
Flexible polyurethane foam gives furniture elasticity, has a positive effect on comfort of use, and increases durability. For exclusive furniture, highly plastic polyurethane foam is used, which quickly restores its original shape after removing the load. The foam adapts to the shape of the load, especially our body, which greatly increases the comfort factor.
Polyurethane foam is hygroscopic, soft, light and breathable, therefore it is also successfully used by manufacturers of medical and rehabilitation furniture.
Classic polyurethane foams are used for the manufacture of seats, backs, and mattress inserts. They are typically used in conjunction with springs and in popular furniture. Foams with a high plastic content are, in turn, used in the production of mattress inserts instead of innerspring inserts because they can provide the same or even greater comfort. You can buy an orthopedic sofa in our online store in Moscow.
High density foam is used to shape upholstered furniture. It is recommended to use lower density foam for the armrests and backrests. PUF is also used in headboards, decorative headboards, furniture sides, seats, poufs, mattress toppers, surface mattresses and orthopedic mattresses.
Features of the design of a sofa made of PPU
Many people, when buying upholstered furniture, make a very significant mistake - they do not check what kind of filling it is. Namely, this element determines the level of comfort of your sofa. Of course, initially a piece of furniture is always comfortable, but as you use it, it will begin to wear out. The type of filler used determines how quickly wear will occur. The better the filling, the greater the chance that the purchased sofa will properly perform its role for a long time.
What are the design features of a sofa made of polyurethane foam? The load-bearing structure of furniture affects its durability, comfort, and safety of use. Even several workshops of the plant are involved in its production. One of them is a carpentry workshop. In this section, according to the project, wooden frame elements are cut out, selected to size, which are made from various types of wooden boards, for example, fiber boards as the bottom in chests of drawers, sofas.
Additional equipment such as hardware, straps, and springs are then installed into the rack. The finished supporting structure is covered with flexible polyurethane foam.
Polyurethane foam makes a big contribution to the cost of furniture - it can even reach several tens of percent. If a piece of furniture is filled with foam or sponge, this may not be enough.
Furniture makers recommend choosing, for example, highly elastic polyurethane foam. It differs from standard PU foam in its heterogeneous cell structure, which makes it have a varied porous structure. Such properties make furniture made of highly elastic polyurethane foam more flexible and resistant to deformation.
Polyurethane foam is very popular because it provides great convenience and comfort at a very high level. In addition, they are resistant to various mechanical damage and have a low price. Upholstered furniture made of polyurethane foam is an excellent solution.
What is the difference between spring and polyurethane foam sofas?
According to the type of filling, upholstered furniture, in particular sofas, are divided into two main types:
- spring;
- polyurethane foam.
Each of these types has its own pros and cons. It is worth noting that there is no universal option without a single drawback. Therefore, to figure out which sofa is better - a spring one or one with polyurethane foam filling, you should consider both fillings in terms of ease of use, durability, cost and design.
Are spring sofas outdated or time-tested?
The design of modern and old sofas based on a spring block has remained virtually unchanged. This technology has been widely used since Soviet times. The difference lies in the higher quality of manufacturing of new furniture.
Nowadays, special flooring materials are used between the metal springs and the upholstery to seal the frame. At the same time, they perform the function of a protective layer - the springs do not penetrate the upholstery and are not felt when the furniture is used for its intended purpose.
Required design elements of a spring sofa:
- upholstery;
- laying sealing layer in the form of padding polyester, felt fabric or a thin ball of foam rubber;
- springs;
- Chipboard or plywood that serves as a solid base for the block.
The device of a spring sofa.
Depending on the design features, there are two types of spring blocks:
- Bonnell spring block;
- independent block (“Pocket Spring”);
Sofas with Bonnell spring block.
Bonnel spring sofas are traditional and widespread. They have been used by upholstered furniture manufacturers for decades. The design of such a spring block is based on bicone-type steel springs. They are connected to each other using wire and knots or a special frame.
Bonnell spring block.
In this case, each spring narrows in the middle and expands closer to the edges. The main block consists of upper and lower frames. Due to this, the strength of the entire structure is achieved. It is also possible to avoid unwinding of the springs, each of which is attached to the block by the first turn and the last. There are special locks on the turns.
The main difference between such a block and an independent one is the tight fastening of all elements to each other. They are connected, but there is no squeaking sound because the springs are not touching. When pressure is applied to the surface, the entire structure is activated in a chain reaction, i.e., not only those springs on which the pressure is applied bend, but also all neighboring ones.
Sofa with Bonnell spring block.
Each manufacturer independently determines what the spring density should be. On average, their number is 100-150 pieces per square meter. Springs can consist of four or five turns, depending on the type of weaving. Five-turn blocks are slightly taller and slightly more expensive. To ensure increased elasticity, the material is additionally processed using a thermal method. Bonnell has a certain number of advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of sofas with Bonnel spring block
- Long service life.
- Strength, elasticity, ability to withstand heavy loads.
- Low cost.
- Good level of ventilation.
Disadvantages of sofas with Bonnel spring block
- Low orthopedic properties associated with possible compression of several adjacent springs attached to the frame. The surface becomes wavy and uncomfortable.
- A “hammock effect” occurs. Uneven load distribution.
- In rare cases, under heavy loads, the spring may straighten, causing a visual defect and inconvenience in use.
- Long-term use can lead to loosening of the fastening system and the appearance of creaking sounds. The solution to this drawback is the use of durable layers of foam rubber, which serve as additional reinforcement of the frame.
Sofas with independent spring block
Sofas with an independent spring block (Pocket Spring) are considered less common. Unlike Bonnell, this design has a significantly increased spring density. In addition, they are not connected to each other in any way; each is equipped with a separate case.
The spring compresses only when pressure is directly applied to it and does not affect its neighbors. Thus, at all points of contact of the body with the structure of the sofa, the load on it is distributed evenly. The furniture does not sag and retains its original appearance throughout long-term use.
Sofa with independent spring block.
Compared to the dependent block, in this case the springs are slightly smaller. Accordingly, their density becomes higher, up to 1000 pieces. The optimal option is considered to be a density of 350 springs per square meter. It is believed that if there are too many springs, they will begin to deform over time, affecting more and more neighboring elements. At the same time, the anatomical properties of the structure, which affect ease of use, are reduced.
An independent block is a more preferable option than Bonnell, as it provides a comfortable stay. However, design features also affect the cost of such a sofa.
Polyurethane foam: comfort and flight of design imagination
Polyurethane foam (PPU) filling of upholstered furniture is known under a simpler name - foam rubber. The material has been used for quite a long time and gradually it was possible to achieve the most useful properties of polyurethane foam, due to which foam rubber is considered environmentally friendly and has high performance qualities. Foam can have different degrees of rigidity, but the most elastic varieties are used in the manufacture of furniture.
Polyurethane foam is light and airy due to its specific structure. The filler is a polymer foam whose structure resembles a honeycomb. Each cell in it is a bubble filled with air. Due to the fact that most of the total mass is air, a sofa with such filling quickly restores its previous shape.
Advantages of PPU filler:
- light weight;
- elasticity (restoration of shape);
- high breathability.
Next, we will consider the types of polyurethane foam filler depending on the structure.
Cast (molded) polyurethane foam.
If the sofa has a non-standard shape, cast filler is most often used. To produce it, you need a special blank into which raw materials are poured. The result is a finished block of the required shape. It has higher elasticity and density.
Sofa made of polyurethane foam.
Sheet polyurethane foam.
In order to improve quality and performance properties, manufacturers often combine different types of foam rubber in one product. The polyurethane foam block is cut into separate sheets, which are glued together. If layers of different degrees of hardness are used, they are painted in different colors.
Sofa made of sheet polyurethane foam.
Highly elastic polyurethane foam (artificial latex).
The most comfortable use is furniture made using highly elastic polyurethane foam. This type of filler is characterized by a combination of density and softness, which provides high orthopedic properties.
However, sofas made of polyurethane foam also have their pitfalls - it is important to fully study the design features. In high-quality sofas, polyurethane foam is attached to a movable base. As such a base, special tightly tensioned belts with elastic properties or a block of lamellas can be used.
Sofa with belt base.
Sofa with slats base.
Some sofa manufacturers are trying to save money and use chipboard or plywood instead of slats. This kind of saving leads to the fact that the foam sags if significant pressure is applied to the surface. After some time, you can notice irregularities on the surface, which are also felt physically.
Sofa with plywood base.
How to determine the presence of a lamella frame? It is located under the seat block and has the shape of a frame with curved wooden slats. The presence of this base indicates the quality of the product.
Material advantages
Polyurethane foam is a flexible material, but at the same time hard enough to create suitable comfortable conditions for relaxation. It is a breathable material and the conditions inside are not conducive to the development of microorganisms. It is for this reason that a sofa made of polyurethane foam can be used even by people suffering from allergies.
Advantages of polyurethane foam:
- Soft polyurethane foam is one of the softest materials for furniture. It's nice to sit on, but not so soft that you'll sink into the furniture. This is a good choice if you value comfort in your furniture.
- It is also more durable than many other materials. It usually does not wear out and can last for many years.
- Polyurethane is also used to make memory foam, which contours to the body and ensures a restful sleep.
- It fits better to the body than regular foam because it has a less uniform cellular structure. As a result, comfort and elasticity parameters are improved.
- Responsive to heat and perfectly conforming to all body contours, it provides calibrated support, eliminating all pressure points, allowing muscles to rest and providing personalized comfort.
- Used in medical products, supports rehabilitation, supports the healing process.
- Gives the body a feeling of softness and “envelops” the body with its flexible structure, thereby guaranteeing thermal comfort for people who are cold.
Its open-cell structure provides not only exceptional comfort, but also high air circulation - preventing the development of mold and mildew.
Comparison of characteristics
To understand which sofa is better - spring or polyurethane foam - for comfortable and practical use, you will need a visual comparison of the properties and features of both fillers.
| Criterion | Polyurethane foam | Spring base |
| Durability | Foam products are not the most durable. This sofa is suitable for families with small children or animals, since after unintentional damage to the furniture it will not be a pity to get rid of it. | Furniture with a spring base is more durable and, accordingly, lasts longer (from 10 years). |
| Convenience, scope of application | Absolutely safe for allergy sufferers and children. You can select the desired density for comfortable use. The filler anatomically adapts to the contours of the body. | Furniture with springs, especially independent ones, is suitable for people with spinal problems. The load on the spine is distributed evenly. The sofas are hard, but no less comfortable. |
| Price | When choosing between polyurethane foam or a spring snake, polyurethane wins, since foam sofas usually have a lower cost. | The price of spring sofas is higher because they have an advantage in a number of functions over the foam “filling”. However, polyurethane foam or a spring block can change their price category, which depends on the manufacturer and the quality of the material used. |
The choice between a spring block or polyurethane foam is ambiguous, since each consumer determines for himself a number of criteria according to which the final decision will be made. A foam sofa is suitable for a rented apartment, families with a small restless child or an active pet, and it would also be a good option for a summer house. A sofa with a spring base will last a long time, so it is suitable for practical and conservative people who rarely make repairs and update the interior. Some models can be used as a bed due to their orthopedic properties, which is an advantage for a one-room apartment. Therefore, to choose a polyurethane foam or spring block, you should first of all rely on your own needs.
Environmentally friendly, safe for allergy sufferers, balance of hardness
Reliability, practicality, durability
Disadvantages of the material
Among the disadvantages of the material it is worth noting:
- Low quality polyurethane foam often cracks - quickly loses its original shape, and furniture quickly sags.
- The material does not tolerate direct sunlight and begins to deform. For production, upholstery is made from materials that protect from light.
- Price. Although it is a durable and soft material, it will be more expensive than most other options. Polyurethane foam may cost more than some of the cheaper alternatives on the market.
- Excessive softness of the material can lead to back problems and spinal curvature in children. Therefore, it is better to sleep on a hard surface.
