New leather soft sofa for a beautiful living room
Many, having completed renovations in their apartment, purchase new upholstered furniture, if funds, of course, allow. But the choice must be right. In addition to the durability, cozy appearance, and transformation mechanism, you should pay attention to the filling and ask the seller what the “filling” of the sofa is. How comfortable you will be depends on this. Nowadays there are a lot of fillers, you need to have an idea about some of them, their quality, quality factor, how long furniture with such a filler can last.
Types of fillers for upholstered furniture
Furniture manufacturers often use polyurethane foam (PUF) as filling. Lots of box spring sofas. Buyers are sometimes confused as to which is better, a spring or polyurethane foam, and cannot make a choice.
Blue orthopedic sofa with spring block in section
Sectional view of a sofa with polyurethane foam with a list of materials and components
How does it work
Filler – polyurethane foam for orthopedic mattresses and upholstered furniture
Before choosing a sofa, let’s find out what polyurethane foam is. This is a synthetic porous substance consisting of cells filled with air. During its manufacture, the liquid composition foams and then hardens. Polyurethane foam consists of 90% air and has thermal insulation properties. PPU is the same foam rubber, it is used almost everywhere - as a filler for furniture, toys for children, sponges for dishes, washcloths and much more are made from it.
Foam rubber sheet to give softness to products
It is widely used as a filler due to its compactness; this property gives softness and elasticity to the product. It is produced in the form of small sheets - this is foam rubber, and also in the form of quite strong and massive slabs - this is polyurethane foam. If the material is of poor quality, it will quickly become unusable and begin to crumble. Then it needs to be replaced.
Foam rubber or polyurethane foam
Furniture store consultants often mislead customers. They say that the sofa uses polyurethane foam filler, and not old and outdated foam rubber.
The decoding, I think, is clear. PPU is polyurethane foam.
So what's that in the sofa? PPU or foam rubber? Let's figure it out.
Just a few decades ago, elastic material was supplied to the territory of the USSR. It was widely used in construction for insulation and sound insulation, as well as for stuffing various furniture. You might be surprised, but the name of this company is Porolon.
Due to its name, as well as the lack of competitors, foam rubber has become a household name. Like diapers. Although the actual material supplied is soft polyurethane foam.
The chemical composition, as well as the structure of polyurethane foam and foam rubber are identical. The only difference is in the rigidity of the products.
We usually call the filling of mattresses and sofas foam rubber, and hard slabs of the same material polyurethane foam.
Remember. PPU and foam rubber are the same thing. There is no difference. Just different names. Use the name that is more convenient for you.
Advantages and disadvantages
Elastic polyurethane foam is used in the furniture and automotive industries
Polyurethane foam has pros and cons. Let's look at the positive properties.
- The main quality is that dust does not accumulate in it, it is completely hypoallergenic. This ability is important for those who are prone to allergies.
- During production, it is treated with an antibacterial and antifungal agent, so it does not cause harm to health.
- Can last a long time and is wear-resistant.
- Has good breathability.
- Thanks to its elasticity, it instantly restores its original shape.
Imprint of hand shape after pressing on viscoelastic polyurethane foam
There are also negative properties
- Often you come across poor quality polyurethane foam - it will quickly lose its original shape, and the furniture will quickly sag.
- The material does not tolerate direct sunlight and begins to deform. During production, upholstery made of light-protecting materials is used.
- Polyurethane foam is a flammable substance and releases toxic substances when burned.
- For many, the high density of PU foam may seem hard.
- Excessive softness of the material can cause back problems, and in children - curvature of the spine, so it is better for them to sleep on a hard surface.
Polyurethane foam or spring block? Which sofa filling is “best”?
Upholstered furniture based on an independent spring block
Enough time has passed since spring blocks were replaced by materials that are used as filler for upholstered furniture - latex, holofiber, polyurethane foam, padding polyester. But what is better - a spring block or polyurethane foam?
Filling the accordion sofa on a metal frame
| Comfort | This property is important for any furniture, no matter what function it performs. It is important when you lie down that pits do not appear, then there is definitely no time for rest, but instead of a restful sleep you will look for a comfortable position. The load must be distributed equally over the entire base. What can you say about PPU? It holds its shape well, has excellent elasticity, and adapts to the contour of the human body. Withstands a lot of weight and instantly takes on its original appearance. If the material is of sufficient quality, it will serve for a long time. |
| Spring blocks | There are dependent and independent. In the first version, the springs are intertwined and have long gone out of use. It is simply unbearable to lie on such a foundation; if you press on one spring, it will pull all the others. The second option allows you to have a great rest; in such blocks, each individual spring is packed in a bag, the load in this case is distributed evenly. |
| Thoroughness. | Undoubtedly, polyurethane foam is a durable material. It does not accumulate dust, has excellent breathability, and is harmless. Furniture with such filling will last for many years if used for its intended purpose. But if you often jump on such a sofa, which children especially love to do, then it will quickly lose its elasticity. The same applies to spring blocks; not all can withstand such loads, especially the inexpensive option. Economy class furniture will creak and springs will come out through the upholstery. In high quality sofas, a sufficient number of intermediate layers are placed between the spring block and the upholstery material, so the springs always remain in place. |
| Price. | Furniture with spring blocks is more expensive than with polyurethane foam. But it all depends on the quality of the material. Therefore, think carefully before you buy a cheaper sofa, otherwise the joy of the purchase will turn into big problems. Be sure to ask the seller what kind of filler is inside and what quality it is. After all, it depends on how long the furniture can serve you, whether it will be comfortable, comfortable to sit on or sleep on, so that the original appearance remains the same for as long as possible. |
No one will answer the question “What is better?” Each filler has advantages and disadvantages. It's up to you to decide what you prefer.
What type of foam is used in the production of Barsky chairs?
Raising the quality level of the domestic armchair manufacturing industry is a responsible mission that requires not only new equipment, but also truly sincere love for one’s business. When choosing individual components for your branded products, it is important to consider that each user should be satisfied with the quality offered to him.
A comfortable chair is not only a soft back and seat, but also an anatomically correct design that provides support to all the muscles of the human body.
To understand what kind of furniture foam rubber is used in Barsky's production, and why it is the best of its kind, you need to decide on the design features of the soft filler.
Sandwich - design
The declared quality of foam rubber from different suppliers sometimes does not correspond to reality. Sometimes the density of 35 from two different manufacturers differs even by tactile definitions: for one it is a truly homogeneous soft structure, and for the other, in fact, the hardness is no more than 20. Thus, during the course of cooperation, our company has identified the main tasks for itself, and quality is a priority among them .
ACAT is a reliable manufacturing partner that ensures an uninterrupted supply of high-quality foam rubber. There are currently no alternative quality materials on the Ukrainian market.
Any chair manufactured at Barski’s production facility is produced using the following technology:
- The first layer is reinforced beech plywood, which is visually slightly curved to provide the anatomical shape of the seat.
- The second layer is recycled foam rubber 40 (BB 60), depending on the model.
- The third layer is ultra-comfortable primary foam rubber ST 25 35. In comparison, other manufacturers use 10 at best, while the price of the chairs is lower, but you shouldn’t expect a long service life.
The “secondary” acts as a strong, non-squeezable base, and the “primary”, which has memory, guarantees comfort and softness when landing. If you consider the sandwich design, you can understand how it works: when you press on the top layer, the bottom one does not sag, providing support.
If you use low-density recycled foam rubber for the base, it will deform and crumble over time, and the product will not hold its shape. If you use low-quality primary foam to cover the secondary one, it will shake off and also crumble, and sitting on the seat will be hard and uncomfortable. Therefore, compliance with technology comes first.
The best springless synthetic fillers
- Many furniture manufacturers prefer to use polyurethane foam because it is an affordable material and easy to work with. There are two types - cast and block. In the first case, special forms are filled with the necessary composition, similar in thickness to sour cream. After it hardens, you get the desired shape. In the second case, the sheets are cut into layers of the required thickness and size and glued together.
Furniture polyurethane foam - an affordable and convenient material for frameless furniture
- Synthetic down. The spiral-shaped fiber, made of silicone, restores its previous shape after compression in a matter of minutes. It has such properties as good quality and reliability. It is mainly used for stuffing furniture pillows, as a filler for backrests and armrests.
Synthetic down - the artificial material of the future
- Sintepon. Non-woven, very lightweight material made from polyester fibers. The substance is hypoallergenic, so furniture with synthetic padding as a filler is used in children's rooms and is suitable for people prone to allergies. They also stuff pillows and use them in making clothes. Eco-friendly material, does not wear out for a long time, is resistant to various fungi, has a water-repellent property, and is safe.
Synthetic winterizer is a material suitable for people suffering from allergies.
- 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 high.
PerioTek filler is an elastic, voluminous and durable material
- Quilted jacket. This is, in fact, a layer of cotton wool 5-10 cm thick, located between layers consisting of dense fabric. Furniture with such filling is soft, but there is no elasticity.
Padded padding for the manufacture of upholstered furniture
Exclusive offers on selected models
As mentioned earlier, the ST brand of foam rubber is considered to be the “gold standard” in the production of any upholstered furniture. However, there are also denser, more advanced polyurethane foam materials, which almost no one uses in their production today. The manufacturer Barski offers a choice of either standard high-quality models made of durable foam rubber, or improved options of ideal quality:
- HS – blue-colored high-strength foam rubber. For example, it is used to tighten Soft chairs in the so-called “working zones” - on the central part of the seat, back, where friction and pressure are most intense. It is interesting that such polyurethane foam does not shrink even when pulled onto the headrest frame, but remains just as soft and dense;
- EL 32 40 – increased strength polyurethane foam, which also helps to increase service life and is used in the production of the Chief series of chairs.
It is noteworthy that HS grade polyurethane foam is used in automotive production and has proven itself to be the most wear-resistant soft filler.
Many of the buyers, when choosing a comfortable chair for themselves, prefer to sit on it, try it out, as they say, during work, and this is correct. But we should also not forget that in many ways, the shelf life of such a product is a combination of several factors, the quality of foam rubber among which is also the most important. Trusting a trusted Ukrainian manufacturer means not only guaranteeing comfort at work and at home, but also ensuring trouble-free use of furniture for 5-10 years.
The best springless natural fillers
Any filler that is used in the production of upholstered furniture or mattresses has its own properties.
- Natural latex. It is made from the sap of the rubber tree using individual technology. It is foamed, resulting in the formation of cells, so it “breathes”. Excellent heat and moisture conductivity, solid material, very high quality. Shelf life is approximately 10 years. Instantly returns to its original shape after heavy loads. There is only one drawback - the very high price.
Latex mattress - high quality, comfortable and safe
- Horsehair. Excellent filler. The horse's mane is treated with latex. This is done to ensure that the material is elastic and long-lasting, moisture-resistant, and breathable. High quality filler, but expensive. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.
Horsehair for the production of upholstered furniture and mattresses
- Coconut coir. Fibers are produced from the coconut intercarp; just like horsehair, they are treated with latex to make them elastic and strong. In addition, they also have antibacterial properties, are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, do not rot, and are breathable. Furniture with such filling is perfect even for small children.
Coconut filling for children's mattress
- Sea grass. The most environmentally friendly filler. During manufacturing, the raw material is combined with jute. The furniture has sufficient rigidity, which is beneficial for the back and maintaining the health of the spine. In addition, this filler strengthens the immune system and normalizes sleep, as it contains iodine and various minerals.
Useful and healing filler for upholstered furniture - sea grass
- Bamboo fiber. Produced from young bamboo shoots. The material is able to absorb water vapor, allow air to pass through, and has anti-allergic and antibacterial properties. It is not subject to rotting and does not deform for a long time.
Bamboo fiber is ideal for mattress covers, blankets and pillows
- Camel's wool. Excellent breathable material, can absorb static electricity. Not suitable for people prone to allergies.
Camel wool is an excellent warm filling material for blankets, pillows, blankets, mattress covers and winter mattress options.
- Felt. Made from sheep's wool. Has good thermal conductivity. One of the disadvantages is that it can accumulate moisture, which can cause mold to appear.
Natural felt for furniture and other industries
How to choose the right PU foam filler. What is that in the sofa
High-quality and durable polyurethane foam fillers
Not every polyurethane foam is of good quality. Only excellent polyurethane foam has the necessary properties. There is no need to make a difference between foam rubber and polyurethane foam - these are identical materials to each other. The difference lies in function, cost, properties, category. Before choosing furniture, be sure to ask about its density - it should be from 30 kg/m3. Accordingly, the higher the compaction, the higher the quality and cost.
Sofa with PPU filling on frame
The thickness of the material should not be overlooked. The normal figure is four centimeters. It happens that, in order to save money, a filler with a thickness of 3 or 2 cm is used. It is better to ignore furniture with a filler of this thickness. How resilient and hard a sofa is depends on your personal preference. The choice is always yours.
Beautiful and comfortable corner sofa filled with polyurethane foam
