Sofa filling - which is better? Filler for upholstered furniture

How often do you choose upholstered furniture by appearance without thinking about what's inside? But the internal content is no less important. The reliability and durability of the seat, back and armrests, as well as the comfort and ease of seating directly depend on the filling for the sofas. Therefore, you need to approach its choice no less carefully than choosing the color of the upholstery or the shape of the sofa.

What is better - springs or highly elastic polyurethane foam (PPU)? We talk about the most popular materials and help you decide which filling is best for your sofa in order to get a comfortable and durable place to relax for many years.

What's hidden inside: general classification of fillers

There are two large groups of fillers upholstered furniture: with springs and without springs.

In the first case, several layers of natural or artificial covering material are laid on cylindrical springs or a base made of a spring “snake” - coconut coir, latex, foam rubber, felt, etc. The different densities of a particular coating and many spring options make it possible to create fillings of different degrees of rigidity.

Springless fillers are based on highly elastic polyurethane foam (PPU, furniture foam rubber) - an inexpensive, but durable and elastic artificial material.

If you look at the cross-sectional image of the sofa, you will see that all its internal contents are stacked on top of each other in layers. This method of installation is usually called “layer cake”: alternating different materialsallows sofas and armchairs to be hard or soft, gives the surface elasticity, airiness and relief, which promotes comfortable rest and relieves stress from the spine.

Springs

The spring block comes in two types: with dependent (Bonnell type) and independent springs. Both options are very durable, provided that there is a sufficient number of intermediate layers between the block itself and the outer upholstery.

Multilayer coating is prerequisite any quality sofa with spring block.

Dependent spring block

A classic, time-tested option. Here all the springs are connected to each other by a continuous spiral steel wire. If you press one spring, the others will immediately connect to it, thereby distributing the load across the entire base. The structure is attached around the perimeter to the edging frame and covered with an intermediate layer of non-woven material.

Furniture filled with dependent springs is cheaper, but it should be remembered that the orthopedic properties of a dependent spring block are lower than those of an independent one.. In this case, the springs do not adjust to the load individually, so if another person sits or lies on the sofa (especially with more weight than you), you can feel how the entire structure bends (the so-called"hammock effect").

Independent spring block

In a block of this type, each spring lives its own life” and does not depend on its neighbors, which gives the surface high point elasticity and allows it to better adapt to the contours of the body.

The steel springs placed in separate fabric covers do not creak, do not rub, and in case of breakage they are not capable of breaking through the top layer of filler and the cover.

Spring snake

Attached to a wooden or metal base using a hinged bar or steel brackets, the “snake” is a simple and inexpensive spring base. And although it is not a full-fledged filler - a layer of polyurethane foam is always laid on top - it is able to withstand heavy loads, does not deform and is very durable.

PPU

Polyurethane foam (PPU or furniture foam rubber) is an inexpensive and highly elastic furniture filler. Provides a comfortable fit, has good elasticity and is environmentally friendly.

For the base of a sofa with such filling, as a rule, block furniture foam rubber is used, cut and twisted in a certain way. Some models require special molded foam blanks, which are also used as a filler for pillows - the material allows you to hold any shape given to it.

Sofas are filled with polyurethane foam of various brands - standard, luxury polyurethane foam, polyurethane foam with memory effect, etc. The higher the properties of the material, the more expensive the sofa will cost to manufacture.

If you love comfort no less than savings- pay attention to the filling of the sofa with premium polyurethane foam ( artificial latex). Its basis is polyurethane foam of particularly high elasticity.

Viscoelastic polyurethane foam is a separate type of polyurethane foam that has a unique orthopedic “shape memory” effect. A mattress or pillow filled with such material reacts to pressure and heat, remembering the shape of your body. Press the surface with your palm and release - the dent will disappear very slowly.

Before buying a sofa or mattress, be sure to find out the density level of PU foam- a seat with an indicator of 28-30 kg/cubic meter will provide not only comfort, but also the durability of soft furniture elements. At the backthe density must be no lower22-25 kg/cub.m, and armrests- 20-22 kg/cub.m.

Other materials

Furniture fillings are not limited only to foam rubber and springs - other materials are also used as additional layers for filling.

Natural latex

A base made of natural latex is often used in expensive upholstered furniture - the material is highly elastic, instantly restores its original shape, is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and has a long service life.

Sintepon

The most inexpensive, but very durable artificial filler. It creates additional softness and elasticity. Also, the material is not susceptible to fungus formation. The main disadvantage is that regular use does not hold its shape, characteristic dents and irregularities appear on the surface. In case of constant use, this material should be considered in combination with polyurethane foam as a covering layer - its share in the filling is small, but one way or another it can improve the shock-absorbing properties of the seat.

Holcon (struplast)

A modern non-woven material consisting of an intermediate layer of vertically laid synthetic polyester fiber and two covering layers of dense reinforcing ribbed surfaces. This method of laying allows the mattress or pillow to sag only in places of pressure and quickly restore its shape.

Holcon is easy to care for, retains heat well, has increased elasticity, is environmentally friendly and does not absorb moisture and odors.

There is no definite answer to the question of what is the best filling for a sofa, but you can protect yourself from inconvenience and disappointment by choosing the “filling” according to the purpose of the future sofa. Yes, for sleeping place It is better to consider a filler with a more rigid and flexible base (highly elastic polyurethane foam, independent spring block, natural latex), because Regular rest on an overly soft or creased bed can have a bad effect on the spine. But the guest option provides for any content.

In addition to the usual filler in the form of foam rubber, we are ready to offer you alternative options, however, giving excellent results. For example, furniture latex. This is a very high-quality and durable material, and with these advantages it is also very comfortable to use in sleeping areas. What about coir? Are there many places in Moscow that can offer you natural coconut mats to buy? Or even a new product on our market - coconut, a dense material. This is a layer of coconut coir in which the cavities are filled with latex. It is soft, at the same time elastic, strong and durable.

Buy holofiber, padding polyester or hallcon.

If you have visited our page, are you thinking where to buy holofiber or padding polyester? You can buy these materials from us. We sell hallcon, holofiber, padding polyester at retail and wholesale; for wholesalers our store provides special conditions and bonuses. have various characteristics, and in various combinations are used for stuffing toys, and for filling pillows and blankets, and for insulating clothes, and for making furniture, and for many other needs. What exactly should you choose? You should choose based on the properties of the materials and your needs.

For the manufacture of upholstered furniture, many fillers are used, each of which has certain characteristics that directly affect the comfort and service life of the model.

Material name Short description Area of ​​use
Foam rubber Whipped polyurethane foam, 90% air Economy class upholstered furniture (seats, backrests, armrests), mattresses
Polyurethane foam An improved version of foam rubber is a foamed sponge-like material that can have different densities Upholstered furniture (seats, backrests, armrests), mattresses, pillows
Latex Elastic and elastic material, can be natural (made from Hevea juice) or artificial (made from foamed polymers) Premium upholstered furniture (seats, backrests, armrests), mattresses
Durafil Highly elastic thermally bonded fabric with an aerodynamic layout, made from polyesters Elite upholstered furniture (seats, backrests, armrests), mattresses
Sintepon Bulky and soft non-woven fabric made from 100% polyester fibers Upholstered furniture (backrest elements, armrests), pillows
Sintepooh Hollow siliconized and highly crimped fiber, 100% polyester Upholstered furniture (backrest elements), pillows, mattresses
Holofiber Non-woven fabric made from virgin polyester fibers with a hollow structure, consisting of small balls Pillows, mattresses
Polyester balls Lightweight cellular material, which is foamed polystyrene and consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms Filler for frameless furniture (sofas, poufs)

1. Foam rubber

Most cheap option upholstered furniture filler , applicable for economy class products. With proper and careful use able to retain its properties for 3-5 years . Among the advantages we can highlight elasticity. Disadvantages include poor resistance to moisture, odors and dust. Besides, With intensive use, foam rubber quickly loses its properties and can turn into dust.

2. Polyurethane foam

Is a universal filler for upholstered furniture, mattresses and pillows. May have different shapes and densities , on which the comfort and rigidity of the sleeping place depends. Optimal indicator density of polyurethane foam – 25 kg/m3. Advantages of the material:

  • durability (average service life 18-20 years),
  • variety of stiffness options (depending on density),
  • firmness and elasticity
  • does not accumulate dust
  • not allergenic

Minuses: with low density and intense loads, dents and irregularities appear on the surface

3. Latex

Natural latex is currently the most advanced filler: soft, elastic, non-toxic material that easily takes the shape of the body and provides high-quality support during sleep. Retains its properties well over time - average service life is 20 years . Most often used in mattresses, in furniture it is used for premium products. Disadvantages include high cost, the possibility of allergic reactions (rash) and the specific smell of rubber.

Artificial latex is the commercial name for highly elastic polyurethane foam. Over time, such material loses its elasticity. The service life of artificial latex under intense loads is no more than 10 years.

It is quite easy to distinguish natural latex from artificial latex. Natural latex has a grayish tint and seems a little greasy to the touch, while synthetic latex is a dry, yellowish material.

4. Durafil

Durafil is unique combination of high elasticity with low permanent deformation . Even under prolonged intense loads, the material easily restores its original shape. Pros:

  • resistance to fire and moisture
  • health safety
  • hypoallergenic
  • durability of restorative properties
  • has high antifungal and antimicrobial properties
  • does not mold

Durafil is a fairly expensive material, so it is used exclusively in luxury products.

5. Sintepon

A soft elastic material that is used in economy class products (sofas, armchairs, mattresses). It is the most popular filler for sofa cushions. Among the advantages of the material we can highlight:

The disadvantages of the material include the fact that over time it loses its ability to restore its shape, as a result of which irregularities form on the surface.

6. Synthetic fluff

The best artificial substitute for natural down - an airy material that can maintain its shape and structure for a long time without collapsing into lumps. The main advantages include:

  • high ventilation properties
  • lightness, softness and elasticity
  • resistance to washing and dry cleaning
  • absolutely harmless to human health

Among the disadvantages – the material may become completely wet, but even when wet, the material is able to retain heat.

7. Holofiber

Great
an excellent substitute for natural fillers:

  • soft, resilient and elastic
  • easily changes and quickly restores shape even after intense exercise
  • does not absorb odors and does not accumulate dust
  • resistant to moisture
  • has high thermal insulation and ventilation properties
  • antistatic and anti-allergenic
  • does not support combustion (but may melt)
  • environmentally friendly (non-toxic)

The cost of holofiber is much higher than that of padding polyester, but this is easily explained by its high performance indicators.

When buying furniture, few people pay attention to the “insides,” but in vain. Comfort and durability furniture set depend on the filler. PU foam filler: what is it in the sofa, we will find out later in the article.

Sofas with this “filling” are distinguished by the absence of wire blocks. The internal space is occupied by polyurethane foam. The material is a type of foam rubber. In addition, in the production of some types of filler, special equipment is used, thanks to which contour cutting occurs. This fact ensures the aesthetic appeal of the sofa.

Convenience

A comfortable sofa is a priority for most people. For comfortable rest It is necessary that a dent does not form under the person, otherwise the time of relaxation will turn into a search for a comfortable position. The body load should be distributed evenly across the mattress.

Worth knowing! Inexpensive models use Chinese filler, the service life of which is much shorter than its European counterparts.

In mid- and high-class sofas, manufacturers use polyurethane foam produced according to special technology. Therefore, it has a number of advantages, for example, elasticity, long term service, the ability to restore its original form, etc.

Quality

Sofas with PU foam filling are not inferior to, and often superior to, models with spring blocks. This is felt in quality, convenience and operational characteristics. The furniture set with polyurethane foam is suitable for use in any room.

Durability

Sofas with such filling are practical, comfortable and have a long service life. In addition, dust and other small debris do not accumulate in the material, it allows air to pass freely and is completely safe for health.

Price

A sofa with polyurethane foam is inexpensive due to its fairly simple production technology. The price of such furniture is much less than a furniture set with spring filling. The cost starts from 10,000 rubles.

Filler: types

Let's look at what types of polyurethane foam there are. There are two of them:


It is worth noting! The cast type is more expensive than the block type due to the creation process.

Both options are good, so the choice is up to the buyer.

Advantages and disadvantages

Polyurethane foam has many advantages:

  • long service life - the product will last for decades without changes in initial characteristics;
  • reliability - furniture with this filler is wear-resistant and very difficult to damage;
  • an abundance of options - a sofa with polyurethane foam can have fancy shapes, so the buyer can easily choose the right model;
  • safe for health - polyurethane foam does not cause allergic reactions;
  • easy to maintain - the filler does not accumulate debris and allows air and moisture to pass through;
  • elasticity - polyurethane foam always returns to its original shape, for example, there are practically no seats left. They only appear if the furniture has been used regularly for decades.


These are just the main advantages of the material. But there are also disadvantages:

  • rigidity - depending on the model, polyurethane foam has different rigidity, so owners of sofas with spring filling may find the furniture hard;
  • Polyurethane foam in inexpensive models quickly loses its initial characteristics, and accordingly, dents form at places of stress, so it is recommended to take furniture from a European manufacturer.

Be that as it may, polyurethane foam has many more advantages than disadvantages; the main thing is to choose a high-quality product.

Sort:

By popularity By name By price (Cheap first) By price (Expensive first)

Fillers for furniture, as well as materials for upholstery, are presented in a wide range today. Each filler has certain properties, and all of them presented by Vinyl Tex are of the highest quality. On the website www.site you can buy upholstery for furniture, as well as fillings such as struttofiber, latex, coconut fiber, batting, periotek, padding polyester, and air down. Before making a choice, you should familiarize yourself with the properties of these materials.

Furniture upholstery material and furniture fillers

The Vinyl Tex company offers to buy furniture upholstery at the most reasonable prices. You can also buy calico from us; retail will allow you to purchase this material even in small quantities.

On the website www.site you can also familiarize yourself with the most common furniture fillers. Let's consider the properties of the most popular of them.

Coconut fiber, made from the outer layers of coconuts, is distinguished by its porosity, ventilation, elasticity and strength. This material does not dry out, does not rot and does not absorb odors. Batting, which can be purchased on our website, is a non-woven, rolled material created by stitching yarn. It can consist of both synthetic (polyester) and natural fibers, such as wool or cotton.

Batting can be purchased both wholesale and retail. Periotec is a lesser-known filler that consists of zigzag, vertically laid fibers. It is distinguished by strength, durability, heat resistance, and hypoallergenicity.
Struttofiber, in turn, is made from polyester fibers and natural camel hair, cotton, due to which it has excellent air circulation and heat transfer. Aerodown is primarily used as a pillow filler, providing comfort and the necessary volume. Our company "Vinyl Tex" offers to buy padding polyester at retail and wholesale. You can buy synthetic winterizer at retail even in a minimum quantity of 1 linear meter.

Synthetic winterizer is made from artificial and natural polyester fibers, connected in the following ways:

  1. needle-punched;
  2. thermal;
  3. adhesive.

It is profitable to buy synthetic winterizer because it has special softness, strength, lightness and uniform shrinkage. On the website www.site you can buy padding polyester highest quality that will meet your requirements.

Natural and artificial latex

The most popular furniture filler today is latex. Natural latex is made from natural rubber.

Natural latex has the following properties:

  1. excellent wear resistance;
  2. excellent self-ventilation;
  3. hygienic and hypoallergenic;
  4. excellent ergonomic and support properties;
  5. high elasticity, which is ensured due to the presence of natural rubber in the material;
  6. noiselessness.

Natural latex offered by Vinyl Tex combines excellent quality and affordability. Unlike natural latex, artificial latex is made from polyurethane foams with high elasticity, due to which its cost is significantly lower than that of natural latex.