Sofas with polyurethane foam filling: description, advantages and disadvantages

Advantages of PPU:

High-quality, dense polyurethane foam serves faithfully for more than 15 years.
Products made from it have the highest level of hygiene: they do not retain moisture, dry quickly and do not rot; are not a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and mold fungi; do not accumulate dust and dust mites. There are practically no insects in them.
The material does not cause allergic reactions even in the most sensitive people and infants. Does not emit toxic substances when heated and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. It is completely safe for the health of people and pets.
Quickly returns to its original shape even after extreme compression. Does not deform over time.
The polyurethane foam surface easily adapts to the contours of the body, perfectly relieving muscle tension and stress from the spine and joints. This sofa provides complete rest and a comfortable night's sleep, no worse than on specialized orthopedic mattresses.
Thanks to the porous structure, the entire internal contents of the sofa cushions are perfectly ventilated. Air and moisture do not stagnate, which increases the service life of the products.
It serves as an excellent insulator, so a PPU mattress is always warm and cozy.

What's hidden under the upholstery: types of materials

Strictly speaking, four types of materials are used as filling for upholstered furniture: in addition to springs and polyurethane foam, there are synthetic and natural fillings. Each variety has both obvious advantages and implicit disadvantages, which are still worth knowing about and taking them into account when choosing.

Spring blocks

The springs inside sofas and armchairs are supplemented with soft filling, but the structure of the block has the main influence on comfort. According to their design, spring blocks are divided into the following types:

Block of independent springs. The springs are fixed separately from each other, which allows them to compress in proportion to the load, without affecting their neighbors. An independent device provides an orthopedic effect to the entire structure and the ability to withstand significant weight. The space between the elastic parts is filled with synthetic or natural material.

Two ways to fill upholstered furniture Source mebpilot.ru

Dependent springs (“Bonnel”). Several centuries ago, such springs were installed in the seats of sofas and horse-drawn carriages. They are connected to each other in such a way that an external compression force deforms the entire system. Dependent blocks are designed for less weight compared to the previous version; they are more suitable for small-format furniture (for example, armchairs).
Snake spring. Elastic parts are not formed into blocks, but are attached to the furniture frame. The fastening features explain the weak shock absorption and weak orthopedic effect of such a design. The system is practical in small products (chairs, armchairs), the sofa will be uncomfortable for relaxation, as it will sag in the rest areas.

Differences in the action of the two types of blocks Source berkem.ru
Spring blocks have the following advantages:

Long service life. If high-quality steel was used in manufacturing, spring blocks retain their qualities for decades, and the springs do not creak.
Reliability. The blocks are designed for significant static loads and are suitable for overweight people.
Furniture with spring blocks demonstrates an optimal price/quality ratio, so it is a good choice if durability and practicality are important to you.
You can extend the life of your sofa by reducing the load on the seat by redistributing it with the help of sofa cushions.

The following disadvantages must be kept in mind:

Furniture with springs is not equally comfortable. Only independent springs provide the spine with a natural curve and guarantee the absence of back pain. Other modifications have much more modest orthopedic properties.

Independent springs are enclosed in separate durable cases Source zlatamebel.ua

Over time, dents and protruding spirals appear in areas of the most intensive use. Fatigue accumulates in the metal, elasticity suffers, and the part may break.
Repairing such a filler will be difficult and very expensive; Most often the entire block has to be replaced.

See also: Catalog of companies that specialize in garden furniture and storage systems

Polyurethane foam (PPU)

The unofficial name of the material, foam rubber, appeared during the Soviet Union, when the Norwegian company Porolon began supplying polyurethane foam to furniture factories. Modern industry produces several types of this material used for padding furniture.

Furniture polyurethane foam can be soft, hard, elastic and even non-flammable. It vaguely resembles the dishwashing sponge that most people associate with PU foam. The material has the following properties:

The advantage of highly elastic polyurethane foam: after deformation, it quickly restores its original shape.
High-density polyurethane foam filler varieties completely replace a spring block.
The material is not interesting to mold and insects.
Unlike springs, polyurethane foam does not creak and is a good sound insulator.

The elasticity of furniture foam rubber depends on its density Source severdv.ru
The following types of polyurethane foam are used in furniture production:

Latex. A type of foam rubber with special additives, thanks to which the material acquires a soft, elastic and at the same time more durable structure. The budget analogue of natural latex is safe for people with allergies, the main advantage is its high orthopedic qualities.
Molded (cast). The starting components are foamed in molds under certain conditions (pressure and temperature). The result is a product that retains its shape well, is dense, moderately elastic and elastic. The technology makes it possible to obtain furniture parts of the desired shape that can withstand weights of up to 130 kg.
Sheet (block). Sheets of polyurethane foam are glued into blocks, from which fragments of the required size are cut out for upholstered furniture. This type of polyurethane foam is the most budget-friendly and can withstand loads of up to 100 kg.

The main parameter of any PU foam filling used in upholstered furniture is density; such characteristics as durability (service life) depend on it. Materials of different densities are used to make the seat, back and armrests; the minimum value for upholstered furniture is 30 kg/m3.

PU foam density options Source orchardo.ru

By choosing a sofa with PPU filling, you get the following advantages:

Polyurethane foam is environmentally friendly. It does not accumulate dust and is therefore suitable for people prone to allergies.
Furniture polyurethane foam is difficult to damage, so pieces of furniture with such filling are considered wear-resistant.
The filler allows air to pass through, allowing wet upholstery to dry quickly.
Molded polyurethane foam technology makes it possible to produce sofas of any shape that is impossible for spring blocks.

The following properties are considered disadvantages:

Most types of polyurethane foam are flammable materials; they ignite easily and burn with the release of toxic smoke.
If the operating rules are violated, dents form in the places of most frequent contact.
When purchasing, you need to check the density of the filler: overly soft varieties are not suitable for people with spinal problems, and they will quickly lose their shape.
Polyurethane foam is destroyed by ultraviolet radiation. In high-quality furniture, the padding is protected with light-proof covers.

The filling of upholstered furniture is usually multi-layered Source infomebli.ru

Padded quilted flooring

Vatniki are cotton wool, covered with fabric on one or both sides and stitched with threads. The following fabrics are used for the manufacture of quilted jackets: investment, sack, technical calico, gauze. Padded jackets are quilted with thread on a sewing machine in parallel rows with a certain distance between the rows. Thus, the quilted flooring is a natural material , consisting of two layers of dense fabric with a 5-centimeter layer of cotton wool laid between them. Padded padding is one of the fillers for upholstered furniture. Technologically, quilted flooring to give greater softness and evenness to the sleeping area of the sofas. Quilted padding is widely used in the furniture industry as a cushioning material between other fillings of sofas, as well as to increase the comfort of a sleeping place.

Price policy

It should be noted that polyurethane foam will cost much less than high-quality spring filler. The key point in this matter is the quality of the springs, which is not so easy to find. For example, the Bonnel model belongs to the category of outdated designs, so finding it on the markets is very problematic.

The quality of polyurethane foam is also of great importance for the duration of its service. Therefore, in both cases, saving on buying a sofa with high-quality filling will mean the loss of restful sleep, back pain, and so on.

In addition, in cases where it is almost impossible to look inside the sofa, documentation will be an assistant. A product quality certificate, which is required in every retail outlet, will be a good source of useful information for you. This document fully describes all the features of upholstered furniture of the specific model that you are going to purchase. Structural elements, fillers, material from which the cladding is made - all this is reflected in the certificate

Armor

The armor is made using special equipment from beech or birch veneer. In recent years, beech armor has been rare. Perhaps the reason for this is that they are much more expensive than birch ones. Lata is a bent-glued product. The layers of wood are glued together using a special technology, resulting in a bent product ( plate ), which has the ability to bend under the load placed on it. On a metal frame, the armor is located in special plastic armor holders, which are fastened with brackets over the frame. This way the armor is held tighter and does not pop out. Battens are also installed as a base for the flooring of some models of upholstered furniture , as well as for metal-frame mechanisms for transforming sofas and armchairs. Breakage or deformation (loss of bending) are the main defects of bent-glued elements. The batten breaks, as a rule, in the middle part due to loads exceeding the norm. Deformation refers to the process of natural wear and tear during operation. It must be said that the more armor is installed, the less each of them is deformed. The damaged armor bends in the opposite direction or becomes straight. The armor cannot be repaired, so if it breaks or becomes deformed, it must be replaced.

Positive properties

Mattresses made of polyurethane foam have a number of positive features, thanks to which they have become so widespread.

If we are talking about mattresses that only partially consist of this material, then the price makes them especially attractive. Their cost is not that high.
Big choice. Due to its wide distribution, finding a mattress of the size you need or making it to order is not difficult.
A large number of varieties of material. Thus, it is easy to choose a mattress that will have the properties that are most important to you (different densities, ability to take shape, and so on).
Due to their softness, such mattresses are easy to roll up and transport.

Key Features

Before purchasing polyurethane foam for furniture, you should familiarize yourself with its basic properties, among which density should be highlighted. This indicator is very important and determines the main characteristics, including:

the ability to restore its original shape;
wear resistance;
rigidity.

Back in the middle and even the end of the 20th century, foam rubber was produced, the performance characteristics of which were much lower compared to those of modern polyurethane foam.

Briefly about the main thing

Upholstered furniture is chosen for more than one season, so when evaluating a model, attention is paid not only to shape and color, transformation mechanism and size. The comfort of any sofa largely depends on what is hidden under the upholstery, which is why it is so important to understand the types and characteristics of the material.

In the production of upholstered furniture, different fillers are used, but the most common are polyurethane foam and springs. Both types meet the requirements of comfort and hygiene, hold the shape of a sofa or chair well, and are designed for approximately the same service life.

In furniture, as an item of long-term use, not only cost is important. Regardless of the filling, both products will be of equal quality if they are made in compliance with the technology. Therefore, you should give preference to manufacturers with a good reputation. It will also be useful to sit or lie on the sofa before purchasing.

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Types of sofa upholstery by purpose

The choice of filler depends on the purpose for which the sofa is needed.

If you are buying furniture for sleeping, it is better to choose a filler with independent springs: each of them acts on the load separately. This distributes body weight evenly and has a beneficial effect on the body.

Natural fillers are also suitable for sleeping: latex, horsehair, periotec. Sea grass not only relaxes the body, but also helps you sleep.

Among synthetic paddings, struttofiber and viscoelastic foam work well on the spine. Comfortable furniture and pillows are recommended for children and pregnant women.

The polyurethane foam filler lasts a long time and does not sag, dries quickly and does not accumulate dust. This type of furniture is best used in living rooms and kitchens. For the same purposes, padding made from holofiber, padding polyester and padding polyester are suitable. They do not burn and germs do not appear in them, which is important for kitchen furniture.

Brands of furniture foam rubber

Modern production uses the following grades of polyurethane foam:

ST is a standard raw material containing a polymer such as polyol (polyesters). The rigidity of products is achieved by selecting the ratio of the components of the main composition. The result is sheets that differ in characteristics. Basically, at least 2 types of polyol are used.
EL - increased rigidity.
HL - hard, consist of different types of polyol.
HS - soft and super soft. Special polyester is used in production instead of ST or in addition to it.
HR - high elasticity. The composition contains only polyols in 2 or 3 combinations.
Special - non-flammable, viscoelastic.

The first brand's recipe includes special melamine powder, PHD polyols from Bayer, and flame retardants as additives. Melamine provides fire resistance, but at the same time it negatively affects the properties of furniture foam rubber. Viscoelastic grades contain polyesters and isocyanates.

The most common brands of furniture filler are:

HS2520 - monolithic amplifier is used on the back of a sofa with a load of 80 kg;
HS3030 - maximum weight 100 kg;
HS3530 is the best foam rubber for upholstered furniture; backrests with a load of 100 kg and seats with a load of 80 kg are made from it.

Foam rubber is marked according to 3 indicators: type, density and hardness . For example, brand EL2540 is a rigid sheet with a density of 25 kg/m3 and a hardness of up to 3.2 kPa.

H.S.

Special

H.L.

HS3030

HS3530

HS2520

How to use

Polyurethane foam itself is quite an expensive material. And finding a mattress filled only with it is quite problematic. It is important to know when buying a polyurethane foam mattress: such products, as a rule, contain a filling consisting of several layers: in addition to the main material, coke fiber is often used. Or polyurethane foam is used as a covering for the springs. Even such a small amount of material used to make a mattress can improve its properties.

For greater effect, manufacturers additionally strengthen the walls and corners of the mattress. Thanks to this, when you lie down on the bed, the mattress does not change shape so dramatically (after all, this can usually cause inconvenience). This also extends the life of the mattress, which receives additional protection from damage.

But sometimes you can find mattresses that are a solid block of polyurethane foam. Their price is higher, but this is not without reason. They do not have springs and have a higher density. Therefore, they can be placed even on uneven surfaces, while maintaining the feeling that you are sleeping in your own bed. True, these mattresses take longer to make, which also makes them difficult to buy.

Comparison of characteristics

Sofas with polyurethane foam filling and a spring block are regularly compared based on their consumer properties. It will be easier to make the final choice if you study all the significant points in more detail.

Convenience

Among spring blocks, the most convenient option is the one with independent springs. It belongs to the orthopedic category, suitable for people with spinal diseases. Uniform distribution of the load makes it possible to prevent exacerbation of existing symptoms and create favorable conditions for sleep and rest. These sofas are quite hard, but quite comfortable.

Molded or latex polyurethane foam filling is one of the safest, most comfortable options to use. Different levels of density and thickness of the foam material help to select a filler with optimal characteristics.

Durability

In terms of service life, sofas with a spring block inside can be considered record holders. They retain their consumer properties for 10 years or more. Polyurethane foam is not so durable, but its dense varieties easily overcome the mark of 5-7 years without deformation, even with the most intensive use.

It is worth noting that it is the PU foam-based filler that is recommended for use in families with small children. It is soft, but dense, injury-proof, can withstand even jumps, and softens falls well

Purpose

If we talk about the benefits of the sofa base for daily sleep, it is worth considering the orthopedic properties of the material. With polyurethane foam they are invariably high: the higher the density of the filler, the more effective back support it provides. In the case of spring blocks, it makes sense to consider only an independent option as a component of the bed. It is he who guarantees correct load distribution.

Block variety

Manufacturers offer foam rubber on a backing made of synthetic materials and fabrics. The block variety has a hard, non-porous surface. This type of foam rubber is poured into molds of different configurations, in addition to cubic ones. After cooling, the crust is removed, and the material acquires a homogeneous structure. Acoustic foam is supplied in the form of separate panels. It may have relief. The panels differ:

size;
colors;
form.

Price

Sheet polyurethane foam for furniture can be purchased at different prices, which are influenced by characteristics of the type of rigidity. If it is high, then the material can be used to fill upholstered furniture. The price in this case is 100 rubles. per sheet. For the super-hard variety you will have to pay 780 rubles. This material has excellent characteristics and high durability.

The price of polyurethane foam for furniture will be 790 rubles. per sheet if you purchase the hard variety with high elasticity and recovery ability. A soft type of polyurethane foam can be purchased for 190 rubles. It is suitable as packaging and is used in the manufacture of sidewalls, armrests, headrests and backrests of upholstered furniture.

Specialists in their field also know secondary foam rubber. It has a high density and is used not only in the furniture industry, but also in the automotive industry. One sheet of such material costs 320 rubles. Polyurethane foam in black with standard hardness costs 265 rubles. It is suitable for packaging fragile products, as well as gifts if they need to be transported.

The density of polyurethane foam for furniture has already been discussed. If it is increased, as is the hardness, then you will pay 2,950 rubles per sheet. A highly elastic variety, which is called artificial latex and does not leave dents even after prolonged use, costs 1,110 rubles. per sheet.

Which filler do you prefer?

There is no clear answer to the question, foam filler or spring block - which is better to prefer. The problem is that people have different ideas about comfortable furniture; some prefer to “sink” into the sofa, while others like moderate rigidity that supports the body well.

You also need to understand that any filler is a tool with which the desired effect of a soft seat or back is achieved. High-quality furniture may contain springs or polyurethane foam inside, but a choice still needs to be made, and here the following considerations can come to the rescue:

Choice according to comfort level. The main criterion for any upholstered furniture. The filler is expected to provide support and not collapse under the weight of a person. An equally high level of comfort will be provided by an independent spring block and latex polyurethane foam.

Construction of a sofa filled with polyurethane foam Source poztello.ru

Lifetime. Any, even the highest quality filler, will have little chance of surviving if the family has a small child who uses the sofa as a sports equipment. Sofas with polyurethane foam or with mid-price springs are designed for approximately the same service life, but springs have a disadvantage: they can begin to creak or even tear the upholstery.
Price. When solving the problem, which is better, PU foam or a spring block, you can notice that the cost of upholstered furniture with PU foam is lower than products with an independent spring block, but is approximately the same as those sofas where dependent spring blocks are installed. No one wants to overpay, but when choosing, it’s worth checking with a consultant what grade of polyurethane foam is used in the model you like.

Before purchasing, be sure to evaluate the comfort of the sofa Source masko.com.tr