Fillers for the sofa: types and selection rules

Such a thing as a filler for a sofa plays a rather significant role, because the convenience of furniture and the duration of its service directly depend on it. The right choice determines the comfort while sleeping or sitting on this piece of furniture.

The range of fillers is very diverse. They are chosen taking into account the desired rigidity and the performed function of this piece of furniture.

Such fillers have been in demand and widespread for a long time. They are of 2 types: dependent (or "Bonnel") and independent (or Pocket spring).

A spring device with a chain connection. Due to the frequency of placement of the springs, this species is not able to distribute the weight as equally as the model with independent springs. This feature makes this option not very convenient, but the low cost makes it possible to fill it with budget upholstered furniture.

The degree of rigidity, like orthopedic characteristics, depends on the diameter and density of the springs per 1 m2. The most common models are with 10-centimeter springs in diameter, where there are 100 pieces per square meter.

They are additionally covered with a durable material, the rigidity of which depends on its type. Considering this property, you can choose the optimal coating for individual tastes. For strengthening, some blocks are provided with a metal frame, which increases the period of operation. This furniture option is suitable for a living room.

This type is made using innovative technologies. The springs are barrel-shaped, each housed in a dense fabric cover so that there is no connection between them. The design makes it possible to quickly respond to a given load at a specific location.

A mattress with such a filling does not bend excessively and does not create noise. The price of this filler is much higher than the dependent type, but the period of use is longer due to the additional coating and separate placement of the springs.

This filling option is optimal for a sofa that is used for sleeping. The advantages of the material include:

• long operation;
• reliability;
• lack of dents;
• the ability to choose the degree of rigidity;
• air circulation inside the filler eliminates the appearance of insects;
• orthopedic characteristics.

In addition to the many advantages, there are some disadvantages that need to be highlighted:

• a squeak may appear after some time;
• high price for products with independent spring blocks;
• If the springs are damaged, repairs can be costly.

Such fillers are made from a wide variety of materials, differing in both structure and characteristics.

This synthetic highly porous filler is obtained by combining different polymers. The density of polyurethane foam can even surpass rubber and rubber, this property has a positive effect on the quality of goods made from this material.

For pieces of furniture, highly elastic polyurethane foam is used with a density of 30-40 kg per 1 m2, and the larger the number, the longer the service life. PU foam with a density index of less than 30 kg / m2 is used for the production of decorative pillows. Due to the simplicity of the polyurethane foam production technology, the price for it is quite budgetary.

Polyurethane foam is of 2 types: cast and block. Under the influence of high temperatures and pressure, the initially liquid material acquires a solid structure and the exact dimensions of the required part. In this way, all the components of the sofa are made: back, seat, side elements. The disadvantage of such a filler is the formation of a caked crust on the surface, as well as poor air circulation.

Block polyurethane foam because of the method of development was named "sandwich" (multiple layers). It looks like large sheets of varying thickness and density. Different components are formed from them, which are held together by several pieces with glue, which makes it possible to adjust the rigidity of the mattress and the height of the elements. For parts of the sofa, sheets of different hardness are used.

Some PPU compositions differ in shape memory effect. This means that they can maintain the shape of the body and then adapt to them, which gives maximum comfort to relaxation. Then the material regains its original position. Products with this filler are cheaper than those with an independent spring unit, but they are very similar in terms of characteristics and comfort.

Foam mattresses can be used for daily sleep. Among the advantages of the material, it is worth highlighting that it is environmentally friendly and safe, hypoallergenic, does not accumulate dust, and can withstand a fairly large weight. When choosing, it should also be borne in mind that he is able to quickly lose elastic properties, which provokes the appearance of dents.

The most common species. It is often used as a filler for budget furniture items. Most often, this synthetic material is used together with some other filler, for example, with polyurethane foam, where a synthetic winterizer is placed between it and the upholstery. It adds softness to the furniture. The pluses of synthetic winterizer include a low price, environmental friendliness (fungus does not appear in the fibers), hypoallergenicity, elasticity of the structure.

When choosing a sofa with such a filler, it should be borne in mind that the period of use is rather short.With regular use, it loses its highly elastic characteristics and forms dents. In addition, you can often buy low-quality products, since there is no general technology for the production of padding polyester.

Non-woven fabric is made using modern technologies from high quality polyester fibers. It is mainly used for stuffing mattresses and upholstered furniture. Periotec is distinguished by sufficient strength, since both artificial and natural ingredients are added during its production. Along with durability, it is also characterized by a long period of operation. To strengthen it even more, dense fabrics are often used, for example, knitted dublerin or coarse calico.

To determine the degree of stiffness of the perioteca, as well as its components, you should pay attention to its marking. The material is obtained by means of a special technology, in which 3 layers of material are formed. The fibers of the first layer are formed vertically and fixed in this position using high temperatures. The other two are reinforcing layers that serve to strengthen the first. This unusual design contributes to the very high performance of the periotech as a filler.

This material is absolutely safe, since there is no glue, resins and other toxic components in the composition, it does not serve as a source of allergic reactions. A mattress made of such a material is distinguished by the fact that it keeps its shape well, even when exposed to a lot of weight. Due to the structure of several layers, the material can be used for a long time without losing its characteristics.

Modern material has a rather elastic structure. It is made from different types of fibers (natural and synthetic) using a technology reminiscent of the production of perioteca. The main layer consists of vertically stacked fibers that are fixed by exposure to high temperatures. This technology is called "strutto" and gives the material a dense structure and high wear resistance.

The filler reproduces the contours of the body, which has a beneficial effect on the spine during sleep. The features of this material include the following characteristics:

• lack of predisposition to decay;
• long period of operation;
• quickly reproduces the original form;
• withstands decent loads;
• does not make unnecessary sounds;
• insects do not spread;
• low price.

First - natural non-woven fabric made from felted wool of goats and sheep. Its structure makes it possible to obtain a fairly dense material under the influence of pressing at a high temperature. Such material can have different thicknesses, and in shape it resembles a panel. Quilted jacket - It is a 5 cm thick layer of cotton wool covered with a durable fabric. To connect, all layers are stitched with strong threads.

These two types are not used as independent fillers, but felt is used as a protective cover for other fillers, and a quilted jacket is used as an intermediate between different fillers... They make the sofa more comfortable and softer. In addition, such fillers are characterized by protective properties, which increases the service life of the furniture. Natural ingredients do not provoke allergies, keep warm well.

This material can be called a modernized padding polyester. Due to its spiral structure, the material is capable of very rapid reshaping even after significant stress. This feature is the main criterion when choosing a quality filler.

Raw materials in a ball-like form are often stuffed with pillows, while mattresses and sofas are filled with furniture holofiber, which looks like a thick, dense mat with a spiral structure. It is considered one of the highest quality fillers, especially due to its environmental friendliness and harmlessness.

This is the most budgetary of all fillers, moreover, it is notable for its low quality. In essence, this is the same PPU, but loose and low-grade. Most often it is used on armrests. Of the positive characteristics of foam rubber, one can single out a low price, harmlessness, antiallergic properties, as well as air and moisture permeability.

This filler is made from rubber juice and filled mainly with expensive items of upholstered furniture. In its production, vulcanization technology is used, which makes the material durable and elastic. Latex is an absolutely natural product, durable and soft. In addition, it can serve for about 20 years without losing its original characteristics, besides, it has good orthopedic properties.

The structure of the material is almost the same as the spring block. Durafil is a non-woven fabric of excellent quality, which is made from polyester fibers using a special technology, they have a vertical arrangement. This contributes to greater elasticity. It is great for padding sofas, adding softness to the seat and backrest. Durafil is distinguished by high hypoallergenic properties.

Due to the presence of vertical fibers, the material is able to quickly acquire its original shape, in addition, it stands out for its pleasant softness. It is worth noting the durafil resistance to temperature changes and dust collection, as well as antimicrobial properties and a long period of use. A sofa with this filling can be chosen for everyday sleep.

To better understand the fillers and their characteristics, it is worth considering their characteristics. Service life of materials:

• latex - about 20 years;
• durafil, struttofiber and periotec - from 10 years and above;
• spring blocks - from 7 to 10 years;
• polyurethane foam - 5-8 years;
• holofiber - from 5 to 10 years;
• foam rubber - up to 5 years.

If you plan to buy a sofa that will sleep on every day, then you should choose furniture with a spring block, periotek, polyurethane foam, durafil or latex. When choosing a sofa for seating with regular loads, you should pay attention to the spring block, PPU, durafil, struttofiber, periotek or holofiber.

After a long period of use, the filling of the sofa needs to be replaced. Foam rubber is most often chosen for this, since it is one of the safest and, moreover, the cheapest fillers. To make it last longer, it is recommended to combine it with other types (spring block). For stuffing furniture, 2 types of foam rubber are used: standard and increased hardness. It should be borne in mind that material with greater rigidity will last much longer.

It is recommended to choose the material taking into account different types of sofas:

• for filling a sofa-sofa, a solid sheet of foam rubber with a thickness of 3-4 cm is optimal, and to increase the terms of use, you can additionally take felt;
• for a sofa-book, they take foam rubber both independently and in conjunction with a spring block;
• for a corner sofa, hard foam rubber is chosen, and the back can be stuffed with a material with a soft structure.

You can change the foam rubber as follows:

• the upholstery is removed or opened;
• remove old foam rubber;
• if there are other fillers in the sofa (felt, synthetic winterizer), they should also be replaced;
• if there are no zippers on the parts of the sofa, then you need to carefully open the seams (after replacing them, they are sewn back);
• on the back, where there is a plywood backing, you need to pull out the fastening elements with a staple remover;
• the upholstery material is removed;
• make a pattern for a new one using the old filler;
• the sheets are cut out according to the pattern, put in place of the old ones and fixed;
• the upholstery (you can first wash it) is put in place, pressing down on the foam rubber - so the padding will straighten well and be elastic;
• in this way, all parts are processed and assembled in their previous position.

About what kind of fillers for sofas are, see below.