How to choose a quality sofa?
According to statistics, the sofa is the most popular purpose for the customers to visit furniture stores. This item is present in every home interior. On the other hand it’s easier to say goodbye to upholstered furniture (on average, sofas are changed every 7-10 years). The look often plays a key role when choosing a sofa, but the quality is the main feature we look at when making the final decision. How to choose a sofa that will serve you for many years?
Sofa consists of several parts – frame, transformation mechanism, filler and upholstery – the quality of each directly affects its durability and convenience.
Frame
When choosing a sofa ask an advisor at the salon from which it is made. Welded metal construction, plywood and solid hardwood ensure the best strength characteristics. Softwood (pine, spruce) is more efficient and, as a consequence, is popular with manufacturers, but inferior to the beech and oak when it comes to durability. In the case of wood, the quality of the drying material is fundamentally important. If the wrong technology was used, the wood will remain moist and eventually will cover with mold. Unfortunately, this is not something you can see easily.
Transformation Mechanisms
There are a variety of mechanisms of transformation. The main criteria that should guide the choice of multi-functional model is the simplicity of conversion of the sofa to a bed. To verify this, open and close the sofa a few times. The mechanism should not squeak, jam, wobble.
The softness of the sofa is provided by the basis (springs or elastic straps) and pillow fillers. Most manufacturers use rubberized straps and foamed synthetic materials (polyurethane, padding polyester, etc.). This is a good combination of price and quality.
Upholstery
Today, the customer has a wide choice of upholstery limited only by the size of his wallet: natural and artificial leather, woven and nonwoven materials, multiplied by thousands of designs. Manufacturers divide all the existing diversity of materials into categories: the higher the quality, the more expensive the product.
To determine the quality of the materials you should study the sample: rub, stretch, wrinkle. If the fabric diverges or particles of paint are visible on your hands, the structure seems loose, then avoid buying it. Natural fabrics are more durable and more environmentally friendly than synthetics.
Seams are the most obvious indicator of quality. Smooth and neat lines indicate careful attention of the manufacturer to their products.
