Filling for bean bag chairs, properties, varieties, volume calculation

Frameless furniture has gained immense popularity today. Many manufacturers produce not only armchairs, but also sofas that do not have a rigid base.

The modern market offers many design solutions for these products, which will suit any modern interior. You can find out how to choose the right bean bag chair on the website sanchobag.ru/kreslo-meshok.

Features of frameless furniture

A distinctive feature of such chairs is that they do not have a rigid frame. It is a regular bag with filler placed inside.

The shape of the products depends on the shape of the bag itself, which is sewn from a variety of fabrics. This allows you to create unique pears, butterflies and other interesting options. Frameless furniture has several advantages:

1. The absence of a rigid frame prevents injury from hitting a sharp corner.
2. The chairs adapt to almost any body shape.
3. The simplicity of the design allows you to make furniture yourself.
4. The presence of a special hole in the cover makes it possible to periodically change the filler, restoring the appearance of the structure. You can also do the same with the top fabric covers. This allows you to adapt the design of the product to the interior of the room.

Fillers for bean bags

For some, a beanbag is a useful and cozy storage for old (and other) clothes. Someone fills them with natural materials. And furniture manufacturers offer lightweight and durable beanbags filled with polystyrene foam. But no matter what fills the internal volume, all the variety of bean bag chairs have one thing in common - a cover. Even two.

Materials for chairs

The first one plays the role of a frame: it holds the contents and, if provided for when sewing it, the shape of the chair. It is made of soft, plain, sliding fabric that does not interfere with the movement of the filler in the bag.

production of expanded polystyrene

Expanded polystyrene is a gas-filled material obtained directly from polystyrene and its derivatives. This technology for the production of filling for ottomans and pear-shaped chairs involves several stages. First, styrene fragments dissolved in the polymer mass are filled with gas. At the next stage, the resulting mass is heated using steam. After this exposure, the granules significantly increase in volume and acquire a familiar appearance and density. Next, the filler is packaged in packaging of various capacities.

Application area

Most people put convenience in the first place in the interior rather than presentability. Designers take this fact into account when creating furniture, which is why frameless models have now come into fashion. Bean bags, ottomans, sofas and mattresses without a rigid base are loved by almost everyone. Their appearance is varied, and in terms of convenience they have no equal.

The main function in frameless furniture is played by the filler. He can be anything. It all depends on the imagination of the designer and the desire of the client who orders the model. Fillers are necessary in the manufacture of several options for comfortable furniture:

• Ottomans - they are comfortable and can be used in any room and interior as a chair, footrest or mini table;
• Bean bag chairs - designers make them in various shapes. Most often they are purchased for a children's room. Adults also love them: at various trainings and similar events, the participants are often offered bean bags instead of chairs. Many antique cafes prefer frameless models;
• Chair-cushion - a round or rectangular volumetric pillow can be used as a lining on a hard seat or as a separate piece of furniture;
• Transformable upholstered furniture - beds and sofas, consisting of separate soft blocks, perfectly complement living rooms and bedrooms;
• Mattresses - springless models are increasingly found on sale.

The length of use of the furniture depends on what filler is inside. One material can last quite a long time, while the other will have to be changed frequently.

Bag chair

Mattress

Poufs

Furniture transformer

Cushion chair

Selecting a softening filler

The bag, which is filled only with foam balls, holds its shape well, but under the weight of the human body the foam compresses and the chair becomes rigid. To avoid this effect, a softening additive is additionally used, for example, foam rubber crumbs or holofiber, which completely fills all the gaps between the polystyrene foam granules. It is much more convenient to use frameless furniture with combined filling. Each of these softening materials has its own advantages and disadvantages. Foam rubber has a lower cost, but it is short-lived and crumbles over time.

Holofiber, on the contrary, has many undeniable advantages. It is hypoallergenic, moisture-resistant, breathable, quite durable and resistant to the absorption of foreign odors.

What is

Fillers for frameless furniture play one of the key roles in the convenience and practicality of the product - they determine the comfort of sitting and are responsible for the durability and environmental friendliness of the chair. Over time, the filling tends to decrease in volume, as a result, the ottomans become deformed and become unsuitable for further use. To avoid disappointment, it is necessary to understand at the stage of choosing a product what bean bags are made of and which filling has the highest characteristics. The basic requirements for any of them come down to three conditions:

• balance of softness and elasticity;
• operational safety;
• minimum shrinkage percentage.

Expanded polystyrene is considered one of the softest materials: it combines elasticity and ductility, is resistant to shrinkage and demonstrates good performance when tested for durability.

A distinctive feature of quality products is the presence of certificates, which guarantee that the product has been tested and subjected to examination. This means that the filling for the chair is safe, suitable specifically for frameless furniture, and complies with accepted international norms and standards. Modern equipment and the processing technologies provided for it make it possible to 100% polymerize the styrene contained in the products. Substances hazardous to health are completely removed, the material does not emit harmful elements.

Depending on the volume of the bean bag chair

Small sizes M, which are mainly intended for children, are filled with polypropylene. They are 70 cm in diameter and 95 cm in height. For such a chair you need no more than 200 liters in a bag. As a rule, it is not necessary to frequently add material, since the child weighs little.

A convenient bag for the whole family with a volume of XXL. It is necessary to double the amount of filler. Purchase at least 100 liters of additional substance; you will have to top it up periodically. Natural innards, such as hay or feathers, will need to be found in 2 bags.

If you want to purchase a huge piece of furniture that looks like a sofa, then you need a large amount of any filler. From 700 liters each. The height will be about 160 cm, and the diameter will be at least 130 cm. The filler in large dimensions is less compressed, so in addition we take the minimum.

What filling is best for a bean bag chair?

Materials with different properties can be filled into the dense inner covers of soft mattresses. Admirers of eco-style choose natural filling; lovers of comfortable modern furniture like a bean bag chair made of polystyrene foam or holofiber. We list the options for using natural ingredients:

• legume grains;
• cereal;
• husk;
• hay;
• sheep's wool;
• bird feathers;
• fluff;
• horsehair;
• shavings;
• sawdust.

The use of natural ingredients as filling for bean bag chairs is limited for the following reasons:

• The grain attracts rodents and insects.
• Feather causes allergies in many people.
• Natural ingredients are more susceptible to moisture and mold.
• High-quality natural filling for a bean bag chair is more expensive.
• The service life of natural materials is shorter than that of their artificial counterpart.

Expanded polystyrene for bean bags

Almost immediately, manufacturers of frameless furniture began to look for replacements for short-lived and expensive natural components in order to speed up and reduce the cost of production without compromising the basic characteristics. At the moment, polystyrene granules are considered the best - a filler for bean bags, which is superior to most analogues in a number of characteristics. The advantages of this synthetic material:

• The material is non-flammable, melts without ignition or spread of flame.
• Resistant to harmful microorganisms.
• This is an environmentally friendly filler for bean bags; the granules do not emit harmful substances that can cause allergies.
• Easy.
• Hygienic.
• Has low thermal conductivity.
• Has slight shrinkage.
• Cheap.
• Resistant to moisture.
• With good shock-absorbing properties.

Polypropylene for bean bags

To a non-specialist, many synthetic substances look similar in appearance, but in some respects their properties differ significantly. For example, now there are often proposals to use polypropylene filler in the production of frameless chairs. The performance properties of the material are excellent, but there are some controversial issues regarding safety.

Advantages of polypropylene filler:

• Convenient spherical shape.
• Good elasticity.
• Durability.
• Not electrified.
• Withstands washing at temperatures up to 60°C.
• Without smell.

Disadvantages of polypropylene:

• Poor fire resistance.
• During combustion, it releases toxic substances.

Holofiber for bean bag chairs

Air material is used in frameless furniture mainly not on its own, but as an innovative additive to expanded polystyrene. With such a perfect combined filler, the chair-cushion acquires increased softness. When mixing these substances, the optimal proportion must be observed. Otherwise, there is a risk of reducing the elasticity of the product, which will immediately affect the degree of comfort.

Let's list the advantages of holofiber:

• hypoallergenic;
• good breathability;
• low degree of shrinkage;
• silent;
• soft.

Polyurethane Foam for Bean Bags

The material has been known for decades under the name foam rubber, old samples of which were extremely far from perfect. It is produced by gas filling a polyurethane mixture. The foam fragments are large in size, which allows for a smooth seat surface. In the 90s, production technology improved dramatically, and modern analogues of elastic foam rubber have good characteristics. If you need to restore a leather pouffe chair, polyurethane foam filler is perfect.

Types of polyurethane foam:

• Block
  - large-sized sandwiches that should be cut into blanks.
• Cast
  - a special creamy composition is poured into molds, obtaining fillers of the required configuration after hardening.

Advantages of polyurethane foam:

• hypoallergenic;
• inexpensive;
• environmentally friendly;
• breathable;
• elastic;
• universal purpose.

Disadvantages of PPU:

• Most types of polyurethane foam are a fire hazard.
• Destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
• Short-lived under increased loads.
• It follows the curves of the human figure far from perfectly, so it is recommended for bean bags with relatively thick covers (leatherette, leather).

Advantages and disadvantages

The advantages of bulk foam products include their environmental friendliness, density, elasticity, strength, and durability. The material can withstand a lot of weight. When shrinking, you can add filler to the required volume.

Foam plastic perfectly resists mechanical stress. It is a suitable option for packaging porcelain, crystal and glassware, spare parts, electrical appliances, as well as other fragile items that require increased attention to maintaining the quality of the item. Shock absorption of the filler eliminates the possibility of the product splitting during transportation.

The material does not deform due to temperature changes. The volume of the foam does not change when exposed to precipitation. The product does not expand or deflate when weather conditions change, and does not absorb moisture when exposed to water. Polystyrene foam does not serve as a breeding ground for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and mold. It is fire resistant and does not support spontaneous combustion.

Foam filling is 5 times lighter than air bubble packaging, and 10 times lighter than paper packaging. A liter contains only 5 g of granules. A lightweight product has almost no effect on the weight of the goods being sent, which is why it is often used for transportation by various delivery services. The material is suitable for repeated use, as it does not lose its properties at all. Its service life is at least 100 years.

Non-toxic foam is completely harmless to human health. It does not become electrified and does not stick to the packaged product, does not break, does not crumble, and does not turn into dust and debris. The material does not absorb unpleasant odors, so it is ideal for use by pet owners for various purposes.

The disadvantages of polystyrene foam include its solubility when in contact with chlorinated hydrocarbons, acetone and other esters.

Natural materials

Adherents of environmentally friendly materials choose natural products as fillers.

Grains and plant seeds

Popular ones are:

• peas;
• beans;
• buckwheat and its husk;
• rice;
• beans, etc.

Buckwheat husk

Horsehair

With this type of chair, the chairs are quite hard. They are extremely rare, as a lot of starting material is required.

Twisted horsehair (braid)

Feather and down

This option will also take a lot, but the chair will turn out to be very light and airy.

Down-feather filler is one of the types of natural fillers.

Sheep's wool

Furniture made from the hair of rams and sheep is pleasant to the touch and very soft.
You can buy it for little money.

Sheep wool does not accumulate static electricity and neutralizes its negative effects

Wood sawdust and shavings

The best wood filler is waste from the processing of cedar and pine. The aroma of these trees has medicinal properties and can repel insects and rodents.

The disadvantage is that this material cakes and will have to be changed from time to time.

Chair bag with cedar shavings provide complete rest and have a healing effect

Dry grass and hay

This filler stands out for its unique, delicious aroma.
If you add medicinal plants to the composition, the effect of aromatherapy will appear. The furniture is soft and comfortable. Cheap option.

Do not forget that natural ones have a number of significant disadvantages:

1. All materials absorb moisture, and this causes them to deteriorate.
2. The service life of such materials is shorter than that of artificial ones. After some time, a complete replacement is required.
3. To fill a bean bag chair, a large amount of the component is required, and it is not always possible to get it.
4. Most natural fillers can cause an allergic reaction.
5. Natural ingredients are attractive food for rodents and insects.

Dry grass and hay

Our recommendations

Price of frameless furniture

In 95% of cases, the end buyer focuses on price, and most often it is the price of frameless furniture that turns out to be the decisive factor when purchasing a bean bag chair from a particular seller. However, a low price is not always an indicator of professional production of Bean Bags in large volumes. Very often, this only means that these bean bags are sewn at home or in other conditions using a semi-handicraft method. Such ottomans are most often sold through free classifieds sites (Avito, Yula, etc.) and through social networks. But, of course, there can be no talk of any guarantee for such products.

How to choose the right filler

There are quite a few types of filler for bean bags. They all have their own characteristics and features. For example, some materials are dangerous for allergies, others cannot be used outside the walls of the house. Therefore, the choice of padding should be approached very carefully.

Natural organic aggregates

If the environmental friendliness of the filler is important to you, then choose its natural types:

Organic fillers have their disadvantages:

1. Some of them may cause allergic reactions.
2. When exposed to moisture, the material becomes moldy and decomposes. Therefore, it is not advisable to use a chair with natural filling outdoors or in damp rooms.

Artificial padding

Synthetic materials can also be used to fill a bean bag chair:

Furniture filled with plastic balls can be used outdoors and in wet areas. After all, granular polymer is not afraid of water.

Fill the bag with what you have on hand

If your budget does not allow you to buy granular litter, you can replace it with what you can find at home:

Accessory manufacturing technology

So, you decided to make a bean bag chair with your own hands. The filler is essentially the most important. It is he who determines how convenient and comfortable your vacation will be. However, in addition to this, you will need the following:

1. Make a cover for the filler. It is better to sew the first products using simple patterns, choosing the shape of a cylinder, sausage, or ball. After mastering them, you can create complex products in the form of a pear, other fruits or animals.
2. Sew the outer cover. It is important to choose the right material here. It should be strong, durable and easy to clean. This is especially true if there are small children. Do not forget that during operation the seams, as well as the base, will experience heavy loads, so you need to use the appropriate threads. It is better to make several external covers so that you can change the appearance of frameless furniture and wash the product at the same time.
3. Don't forget to sew zippers into the outer and inner covers.

So, here is a finished bean bag chair. How much filler do you need to ensure a comfortable rest? Usually the inner case is filled to 2/3 of the volume. This option is the most optimal.

Tips for filling

Regardless of whether the cover is made according to an individual sketch or purchased ready-made, you need to know how the bean bag chair is filled. It is extremely difficult to fill poufs well; it is important to follow the sequence of steps, otherwise small plastic filler balls can easily scatter around the room. The algorithm of actions is as follows:

1. Prepare an empty plastic bottle with a narrow neck.
2. Conventionally, divide it into three parts, cut it so that the top one remains in your hands, resembling a standard plastic watering can-funnel.
3. Insert the prepared bottle, neck down, into the bean bag cover, securing it with tape or rope.
4. Feel free to pour the balls, little by little filling the wide part of the plastic container with them.

By analogy, you can use a paper funnel or a large plastic watering can, if you have one at home.

You can fill the material in another way. The method involves using a vacuum cleaner and a nylon stocking:

1. Take the tube from the vacuum cleaner and pull a nylon stocking over it.
2. Open the bag with the filling and the inner cover of the chair.
3. Hold the handset with one hand and turn on the device with the other.
4. Without ceasing to hold the pipe, lower it into a container with balls - the bean bag filler will stick to the stocking.
5. Turn off the vacuum cleaner, place the tube in the case - just shake it a little and all the balls will be inside.

With this method, not a single granule will end up outside the bag. But it’s easier to add settled filler to the chair with two people, making sure that there are no small children or pets nearby. It would be a good idea to prepare a container of water so that the electrified balls can be easily collected.