When buying a sofa, it is important to consider not only its size, shape and upholstery, but also the filler. In this article, we will help you choose the padding that will meet your requirements.
Fillers upholstered furniture There are four types - spring, polyurethane foam, synthetic and natural. Each of them has its pros and cons.
Inside these sofas are not only springs, but also a soft filler. However importance has the block structure.
The springs are in separate cells and work separately from each other. A small spring lies inside a large one and is activated when an additional load arrives on the sofa - for example, not two people, but six lie down. It is thanks to these small springs that the sofa can withstand any weight.
For reliability, the block is connected around the perimeter with a metal frame. The space around the springs is filled with latex, coconut coir, memorix, horsehair or felt.
Advantages:
On such a sofa, the spine retains a natural curve, because of which your back will not hurt;
The block serves about 15 years. During this time, “pits” and protruding spirals will appear in the sofa with fastened springs;
Springs do not creak;
The mattress is made from natural materials;
Does not produce static electricity;
It is made from hypoallergenic materials, so it is suitable for allergy sufferers.
In such a block, the springs consist of five turns and are interconnected. In this case, the upper and lower turns are larger than the middle ones. As in an independent block, for reliability they are connected by a metal frame.
Sofas with the Bonnel block are rigid and resilient, while they cannot completely repeat the curves of the body. This can be bad for the spine.
Advantages:
The mattress allows you to evenly distribute body weight;
Springs do not creak;
The mattress is ventilated due to the two-cone structure of the springs;
The air that appears when the springs are compressed and unclenched allows the case to dry quickly from moisture. This is important if a person sweats a lot while sleeping.
"Snake" is attached inside the frame or on it. A spacer is installed between the spring and the flooring material, which prevents hard parts from coming into contact with the upholstery.
Advantages:
Withstands heavy weight;
Springs do not change shape;
Sofas with a "snake" last about 20 years;
Springs do not creak;
Due to the good air movement from the sofa, moisture dries quickly.
Polyurethane foam is better known as foam rubber. The softness of the furniture depends on how it is made.
Such filling of sofas is made of glued sheets of polyurethane foam. Parts of the sofa are cut from them, inside they are different in density.
Advantages:
Polyurethane foam is difficult to damage, so furniture with it is considered wear-resistant;
Does not accumulate dust and is suitable for people who are prone to allergies;
A sofa with block PPU has been serving for more than ten years;
The filler is breathable. Due to this, the furniture dries quickly;
Polyurethane foam is elastic: if you sit on it, there will be no traces.
Liquid polyurethane foam is poured into a special mold, under pressure and at a certain temperature it hardens. PPU is covered with a crust, which almost does not let air through. Because of this, a greenhouse effect can form.
Polyurethane foam pads crumble if exposed to constant light. To protect it, the parts are dressed in opaque covers.
The advantages of cast PPU are generally the same as those of a block one.
Outwardly, this stuffing looks like foam balls. Most often it is found in bean bags. In furniture with such stuffing, it is necessary to periodically add filler, as the filler is quickly compressed.
Advantages:
It is comfortable to sit on furniture with such stuffing;
Ease.
They are good because they do not cause allergies and allow air to pass through, microbes do not start in them. Such fillers differ in the way the fibers are laid.
This sofa upholstery is made from synthetics and natural fibres. They are laid in a vertical position and fastened with hot air.
Advantages:
Struttofiber makes the sofa elastic;
Good air permeability;
The fibers act in the same way as the springs in an independent unit - each cell works separately. Therefore, struttofiber stuffing is good for the spine;
Does not burn and does not cause allergies;
This sofa will last a long time.
The material is made by twisting and splicing synthetic fibers. It turns out a spiral filler that passes air well.
Advantages:
Holds its shape and stays warm;
Does not crumble under the influence of the sun;
Does not retain odors and does not spread fungus;
Hypoallergenic.
Durafil is a high quality nonwoven fabric. It is created from polyester - hollow fibers that are arranged vertically.
Advantages:
The material is elastic;
Does not cause allergies and does not burn;
Microbes and dust mites do not appear in durafil.
To get synthetic down, manufacturers comb and wind polyester. It turns out a material that looks like natural fluff. After treatment with silicone, the fibers are joined.
Advantages:
Volumetric and soft stuffing;
Sintepukh is obtained in the form of spirals, therefore it retains heat and shape well;
Microbes and fungus do not form in a sofa with sintepuh.
This synthetic filler for upholstered furniture is made from polyester fibers. In furniture, it is often used with other fillers and is installed directly in front of the upholstery.
It does not hold its shape well and can shrink under heavy loads. Not in production common standard, so buyers run the risk of getting into a low-quality synthetic winterizer that is harmful to health.
Advantages:
Does not absorb moisture into fibers;
Does not oxidize with oxygen.
In the production of this hollow fiber, no adhesives or polymer emulsions are used, so comfortable sofas are considered safe. Comfort furniture and pillows are recommended for children and pregnant women.
Advantages:
Does not cause allergies and is environmentally friendly;
A sofa with such stuffing is hard and at the same time restores its shape well;
The comforter does not roll off after several washes;
Long serves.
This filler was created by NASA for space programs. He repeats and remembers the contours of the body.
When the load is removed, the foam slowly returns to its original shape. It does this by reacting to body temperature.
Advantages:
The viscoelastic foam distributes the weight evenly over the surface of the sofa. This is good for the spine;
Absorbs up to 90% of the energy that affects it;
Good cushioning but poor breathability.
Such a "filling" serves for a long time and does not cause allergies. Natural stuffing has a beneficial effect on health.
Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree. When processed, a structure of small cells is obtained.
Advantages:
Absorbs moisture and well passes air;
Quickly restores shape. Latex is considered the most the best option for orthopedic furniture and mattresses;
The filler does not cause allergies, bacteria do not appear in it; - latex in the sofa retains its original properties for about 20 years.
This filling of sofas is a voluminous canvas made of wool, cotton or polyester. Outwardly, it resembles a large felt.
Advantages:
The buyer himself can choose the stiffness of the sofa, because it depends on the composition of the periotek;
Hypoallergenic.
The deck is made up of two layers. thick fabric. A five-centimeter layer of cotton wool is inserted between them.
Springs are covered with a padded jacket for evenness of the sofa or put it between other fillers.
Advantages:
It is used only for softness, the padded jacket does not give elasticity.
To create the felt, the non-woven wool material is rolled twice through hot cylinders. A hard crust appears on the surface of the canvas.
Advantages:
Resistant and dense;
Felt cloth is used as a gasket between the springs and foam. With its help, polyurethane foam is not pressed through;
A person sitting on a sofa does not feel the spring.
The hair from the mane and tail of horses is highly durable and elastic. So that they do not lose their properties over time, they are impregnated with latex.
Advantages:
The filler does not exfoliate and does not gather dust;
Well passes air and evaporates moisture;
Due to its rigidity, it simultaneously holds a person and repeats the shape of his body.
Seagrass fibers are rolled into bundles and stitched through burlap. Such furniture is suitable for people with diseases of the spine and joints, because it contains iodine and has an average hardness. In addition, iodine helps to fall asleep faster.
Advantages:
The filler is durable and almost does not lose its properties during service;
The seagrass sofa is moisture resistant and breathable;
Does not cause allergies;
The padding is resilient and durable.
Choosing a filler for sofas according to different parameters
Sofas with fillers will last the longest:
Spring-"snake",
Block PPU,
Struttofiber,
Comfortel,
Horsehair.
Most often, buyers choose furniture with stuffing from:
Block "Bonnel",
Block not dependent springs,
Block PPU,
holofiber,
Sintepon.
Among the budget fillers are:
Block "Bonnel",
- "snake"
Block PPU,
holofiber,
Sintepon,
Quilted flooring.
For the comfort of pillows, soft and loose fillers are suitable:
polystyrene balls,
Sintepukh,
Sea grass.
The best stuffing sofas for sleeping are:
Block of independent springs,
Struttofiber,
Comfortel,
viscoelastic foam,
Horsehair,
Sea grass.
The choice of filler depends on the purpose for which you need a sofa.
If you buy furniture for sleeping, it is better to choose a filler with independent springs: each of them acts on the load separately. This distributes the weight of the body evenly and favorably affects the body.
Natural fillers are also suitable for sleeping: latex, horsehair, periotec. Sea grass not only relaxes the body, but also helps to fall asleep.
Of the synthetic stuffings, struttofiber and viscoelastic foam work well on the spine. Comfort furniture and pillows are recommended for children and pregnant women.
PPU filler serves for a long time and does not slip, dries quickly and does not accumulate dust. Such furniture is best used in living rooms and kitchens. For the same purposes, stuffings from holofiber, synthetic winterizer and synthetic fluff are suitable. They do not burn and germs do not appear in them, which is important for kitchen furniture.
Choose furniture filler depending on how you will use it. In spring blocks, pay attention to the work of spirals, in polyurethane foam and synthetic fillers - to manufacture and use, and in natural ones - to the origin and their effect on the body.
Sofa filler is very difficult to choose, especially if you are on a tight budget. Most often, the future owners of upholstered furniture decide the question “Which filler for the sofa is better to choose - polyurethane foam or spring block?”, since these two options are often attracted by a very favorable and low price. They should be considered according to several criteria.
First of all, it is worth understanding what these options are:
The latter are considered obsolete, since in them the springs are connected into a single structure. In such a block, the body is not ideally supported, the load is supported by several springs at once. A more modern pocket spring has 
in its composition independent springs assembled into tapes. This technology is used in the manufacture of orthopedic mattresses. Rest on a sofa with independent springs will be full and comfortable, as evidenced by numerous reviews.
Both materials can be comfortable under certain conditions. If we consider them as competitors, then it is impossible to identify the winner in this parameter. Any modern sofa with PPU or a spring block will be convenient and can be used not only as furniture for the living room, but also for sleeping.
If you are looking for a sofa small apartment, this implies that it will be used intensively day and night. Therefore, it is important to know the durability 
materials. Experts give the following data on service life:
Spring blocks have a slightly longer service life than polyurethane foam, but this does not mean that you should choose it. Let us consider these materials in more detail from the point of view 
terms of durability:
If dependent spring blocks are used as a filler, then PPU will win about this parameter. At the time of buying quality sofa you can choose any of the options.
Regardless of the manufacturer, the cost of a good PPU will be lower than a high-quality spring block. In terms of cost, this filler wins, since for its production it is not necessary to purchase expensive steel and spend time on a stable sheathing that will be hidden under the main fabric of the sofa.
The cost of PPU can fluctuate greatly. Most often it depends on the type of material. About its classification, you need to know the following:
Among all brands, CT 3540 withstands more weight, but this type of material is more expensive. Its distinguishing feature is durability, and at a price it comes out a little cheaper than sofas with independent springs.
The final choice should be made based on the purpose of the sofa. Experts recommend:
According to this criterion, independent spring blocks appear ahead - they are suitable for any purpose of upholstered furniture. In general, you can choose which filler you purchase. Both options - spring block and foam - are ideal for a sofa if you purchase quality options.
LLC Pakt-Sever brings to your attention fastening furniture fittings: SPRING SNAKE. Spring "Snake" - made of spring wire, used in the manufacture of seat frame of upholstered furniture.
"Snake" and its fastenings are on sale by the piece.
"Snake" (spring block snake) - is a kind of springs that are used in the furniture industry. "Snake" works in tension and in most cases they are used in the base of soft elements, such as furniture seats. The springs are attached to the frame of the sofa across.
The number of placed springs in furniture depends on its size, as well as on the purpose. The spring snake can be used in beds, couches, mattresses as well as sofa beds. Such springs can be attached different ways both metal frames and wood frames. The frame of the product, which has a base of these springs, is stable and does not roll. The main advantages of using "Snake" springs are the even base of the sofa, as well as noiselessness.
For a long time there was an opinion that springs are a sure sign of a good sofa. Alas, metal springs tend to wrinkle and break, because it is difficult to check their quality at the stage of buying a sofa. Just poor hardening of the metal, and as a result, rapid wear is ensured. That is why, not wanting to deal with problematic springs, furniture manufacturers, and behind them buyers, are increasingly reorienting towards synthetic fillers - polyurethane foam (PPU), synthetic winterizer, periotek or latex. Let's find out how to choose a sofa with good foam. It is polyurethane foam that is the ideal alternative to unreliable sofa springs. This material is very practical, and, in addition, hypoallergenic, which is very important for a home environment.
But not every PPU guarantees the quality of your favorite sofa. Only high-quality polyurethane foam is the key to good elasticity of upholstered furniture. PPU is able to repeat the outlines of the body, bending exclusively at the points of pressure - this is what provides the notorious orthopedic effect, which was previously unreasonably attributed only spring sofas. High-quality PPU is able to recover quickly, and therefore the sofa will be insured against premature punching. Before choosing a sofa with good foam, you need to decide what criteria we will use to evaluate the quality of polyurethane foam.
To avoid confusion, we note that polyurethane foam and foam rubber are the same synthetic material that can be produced in blocks or sheets. Therefore, statements on the topic “polyurethane foam is good, and foam rubber is bad” are completely unfounded. PPU are distinguished by grades, types, quality, price and purpose. It is these factors that you need to focus on before choosing a sofa with good foam.
PPU - safe, practical and cheap material, which, depending on the variety, has different elasticity, viscosity and durability. The advantages of PPU include the following qualities:
. Does not generate dust
. Does not promote mold growth
. Does not cause allergies
. Its elasticity is not affected high temperatures
. durable
To find out how to choose a sofa with good PPU, you will have to remember this physical concept as the density of the material. Today they produce polyurethane foam of various densities, kg / m3:
. fireproof highly elastic CMHR - 55
. highly elastic high comfort HR* — 30-55
. highly elastic HR - 30-50
. soft HS - 20-45
. hard HL - 20-45
. increased rigidity EL - 22-35
. standard ST - 16-35
Before choosing a sofa with good foam, take an interest in the density of the filler. Manufacturers advise choosing a material whose density starts from 30 kg / m3. The higher the density value, the more expensive and better the filler, and, consequently, the sofa itself. Please note that, usually, in order to save money, foam with a lower density is used for the back and armrests. However, there is nothing terrible in this. After all, in the sofa you should be interested, first of all, in a place to lie, right?
In addition to density, the thickness of the filler is also important. It is desirable that it be 4 cm. Economical and unscrupulous manufacturers often strive to use foam rubber 3 or even 2 cm thick. Please note that 3 cm is the minimum, do not take a sofa with a smaller filler thickness! The choice according to such criteria as stiffness and elasticity is carried out purely individually - be guided by your taste. Now you know how to choose a sofa with good PU foam - you can go for new furniture!
