Sofa design - how the sofa is constructed

The sofa has a rather complex structure. Behind the external finish there are a number of elements that are responsible for the performance characteristics of the product. To choose a model that can meet all expectations, it is important to clearly understand the internal structure of the product.

How the sofa is designed

If you find out how the sofa is constructed, then the likelihood of mistakes when purchasing can be minimized.

Almost any design consists of the following parts:

  • frame;
  • filler;
  • upholstery;
  • base for filler;
  • transformation mechanism;
  • supporting elements;
  • built-in drawer for linen.

Selection rules

Even after fully familiarizing yourself with the entire range of accessories, it is not always possible to make a quick, and most importantly, the right choice. Expert advice will tell you what to pay attention to first of all in order to minimize the risks of purchasing low-quality products:

  1. Cheap fittings rarely have decent performance characteristics, so excessively budget-priced furniture should be alarming.
  2. It is important to carefully inspect the furniture set you like for chips, scratches, abrasions or other defects on the frame and upholstery. If possible, it is worth checking all transformation mechanisms.
  3. It is necessary to study the delivery package: it should include everything that is indicated in the list, including instructions and a warranty card.

Scope of application of furniture euroscrew and installation nuances

Choosing upholstered furniture can seem like a complex process due to the need to take into account a large number of different factors. In fact, you just need to decide in advance on all the main nuances: which folding mechanism is suitable, what upholstery and decor are required, whether roller supports are needed, or whether standard legs are enough. And of course, the high quality of each element of the fittings is important - this is the key to comfortable and long-term use of upholstered furniture.


Cheap fittings will not last long


Before purchasing, you need to make sure that the parts are not damaged.


It is important to study the package contents

Frame

The basis of the sofa is the frame. Although in fairness it is worth noting that there are frameless models. But let's return to the first option.

To make the skeleton of upholstered furniture, use:

  • tree;
  • metal;
  • plywood;
  • wood boards (chipboard and MDF).

Beech, oak, birch, and pine wood will provide the product with strength, durability, and environmental safety. High-quality raw materials should not contain knots, cracks, spots of rot or damage caused by pests. After culling, it is thoroughly dried to avoid deformation. Treat with an antiseptic composition. The disadvantage is the high cost and significant weight.

Metal (aluminum alloys, carbon and alloy steel) are considered a good choice. This frame is ready for heavy loads, weighs less than the previous version, costs less, and lasts quite a long time. The recommended profile thickness is at least 3 mm, and the diameter is 35 mm. Metal parts are susceptible to corrosion in high humidity, so they are chrome-plated, nickel-plated or painted with a polymer composition.

Plywood is glued veneer sheets 12-25 mm thick. Its properties are not inferior to previous types.

Chipboard is used in the manufacture of budget furniture. Nice price, turns out to be a short service life. The material has weak strength, is sensitive to moisture, and is not suitable for intensive use and significant loads.

The peculiarity of frameless models is the absence of a rigid base. They are quite comfortable and suitable for daytime use. However, they are not recommended for use as a night bed.

Mechanisms

The design of the sofa includes a transformation mechanism, which is designed to transform the compact model into a comfortable bed. There is a wide variety of devices that differ in their operating principle.

The choice is influenced by:

  • intensity of use;
  • appointment;
  • degree of difficulty;
  • availability of free space for folding.

Based on the principle of operation, mechanisms are divided into several groups.

  • Folding products: “Book”, “Click-click”.
  • Retractable or roll-out type: “Eurobook”, “Dolphin”, “Pantograph”.
  • Unfolding models: “Accordion”, “Folding bed”.

In corner sofas, the transformation is carried out using the “Scissors” mechanism.

Types of accessories for upholstered furniture

Accessories for upholstered furniture are what you may need to quickly repair it in the shortest possible time. You can carry out furniture repairs yourself, having in stock the necessary elements of sofa fittings, which you can buy directly in our store. The main types of accessories on sale:

  • click-clack sofa fittings;
  • accessories for a sofa book;
  • accordion sofa accessories;
  • accessories for beds and armchairs.
  • mattress for the sofa.

With the help of our catalog, you do not have to look for the nearest hardware stores in your city, since everything can be bought from us. We deliver throughout Moscow and the Moscow region, as well as to any region of Russia.

Filler

What does the interior of the sofa consist of besides the frame? If you imagine the product in cross-section, you can see the filler between the frame and the upholstery. Its task is to provide comfort and maintain shape for a long time. Depending on the thickness of the filler, products are divided into hard (up to 40 mm), semi-rigid (from 40 to 70 mm) and soft (more than 70 mm).

It is laid on the base:

  • furniture board;
  • slats;
  • spring block;
  • belts

Depending on the purpose of the sofa, one or more types of filler are used.

For example:

  • polyurethane foam;
  • holofiber;
  • Periotec;
  • durafil;
  • struttofiber;
  • latex;
  • independent springs or Bonel system;
  • padding polyester;
  • felt;
  • foam rubber

Polyurethane foam will last from 5 to 8 years; holofiber, durafil, and struttofiber will retain their properties a little longer (up to 10 years). If you choose Periotec, you can count on 10 years or more. Latex lasts the longest, but it is also expensive.

Spring fillers are designed for a period of 7 to 10 years.

Foam rubber has the lowest performance, so after 3 years, maximum 5 years, it will need to be replaced.

They will create comfort during a night's sleep: latex, independent springs, Periotek, block-type polyurethane foam, Durafil.

The following materials will withstand intensive use: spring block, polyurethane foam, holofiber, struttofiber, Durafil, Periotec.

If the product is in occasional demand, you can choose any of the possible types and save a little on the purchase.

Synthetic winterizer and felt are used in combination with other materials. The first one is placed between the upholstery and the filling, adding softness and elasticity.

The fiber acts as a protective layer for springs and polyurethane foam, increases wear resistance, and prevents squeezing.

Varieties and their purpose

A variety of accessories for upholstered furniture are classified into several large categories. Each has its own unique functions.

  1. For mechanisms. This includes devices that simplify operation: folding and unfolding, pulling out drawers, opening compartments and other actions. This group includes all kinds of guides, balls, rollers, gas lifts.
  2. Fastening. This fittings are responsible for the reliability of the connection of the elements of the rigid frame, the strength of fixation of the filler and soft upholstery on the seat, back, and armrests. We are talking about bolts, ties, corners, confirmations.
  3. Decorative. The appearance of a sofa or chair also depends on the features of the fittings. This category includes handles and straps.

Supporting elements (legs, wheels, stoppers), fillers, and decorative upholstery are often separated into separate groups.

Fittings affect the quality and appearance of upholstered furniture; the ease of use of items and their service life largely depend on it.

Mechanisms

Furniture folding mechanisms, in turn, are also divided into several categories. They differ in the principle of operation. One of the most popular are roll-out systems. The sliding part here is installed on wheels; there are rails with rollers on the sides, with the help of which the sofa is transformed into a bed. This part of the furniture is hidden under the seat. There are 3 types of roll-out structures.

  1. The main advantage of a sofa with an accordion folding mechanism is that in its normal state it can be compact. The working area of ​​the product after transformation increases on average three times. Thanks to this, the furniture can stand assembled during the day without occupying a large area. At night, it can be unfolded to provide at least two spacious beds.
  2. The dolphin-type mechanism does not provide as much sleeping space as an accordion, but the size of the sofa itself when folded is noticeably larger. Moreover, in terms of reliability, such upholstered furniture is preferable to the previous option. In addition to the main functions, most models have an additional drawer where it is convenient to store bed linen, pillows, and blankets.
  3. The telescope or conrad type mechanism combines the advantages of the previous two designs. The surface area can increase up to three times the folded state. At the same time, the structure itself is reliable and stable.

Purpose and types of furniture hinges, installation nuances
Folding mechanisms are no less popular, but are often inferior in functionality to roll-out systems. Design features do not allow the area to be increased as easily. It will take some effort to start the mechanism. Kinds:

  1. Couch. Economical option. The mechanism here is simple; you just need to lower the armrests. If there is a drawer under the seat, then to access it you need to pull the back of the furniture towards you until it clicks, and then push it in the opposite direction. There is only one sleeping place.
  2. Book. This mechanism is even simpler, since a soft sofa does not provide armrests. Transforming furniture is almost the same as opening an extra drawer on a couch. First you need to raise the seat, and at the same time the backrest will lower. In this position, you need to press on the part that is in a vertical state until it clicks. Now it can be lowered, resulting in 2 sleeping places.
  3. Tango. A more advanced type of book allows you to fix the backrest in several positions, which increases the comfort of use.
  4. Eurobook. The seat here rolls out on casters. Afterwards, you need to lower the backrest to cover the vacated empty space. The mechanism combines the features of roll-out and folding sofas.

Most transformation mechanisms already in their name reflect one of the distinctive features of their appearance or folding principle.

The main components of these mechanisms are rollers and slats, with the help of which rolling out occurs. To simplify the process, gas lifts are used. They are better known as closers. There is gas under pressure inside, which provides additional resistance where it is needed, helping a person move the elements of the product into the desired position. For transformation, springs and locking mechanisms are used.


Accordion


Dolphin


Telescope


Couch


Book


Tango


Eurobook

Fasteners

Among the range of accessories for upholstered furniture, elements designed to connect different parts play an important role:

  1. The corners fasten the fixed parts together.
  2. The eccentric will help make the connection invisible, since it is screwed in from the back side, and not from the front.
  3. Screws perform the same function as ties. For them, first make a hole with a thread for screwing. A nut is screwed on the reverse side, which ensures secure fastening without damaging the mechanism or material.
  4. A plastic or metal corner is used for external connection of parts.
  5. Ties secure parts located perpendicular to each other.
  6. A dowel - an element with a thread pre-applied inside - is driven into a hole drilled in furniture, rarely - in the mechanism itself. Suitable where the material does not allow screwing in a self-tapping screw.

Scope of application of furniture nails, varieties in shape, size

The list is far from exhaustive; it includes elements most often used in furniture production.


Angles for fixed parts


Corners for external connection


Ex class=”aligncenter” width=”1200″ height=”900″[/img] Screws


Furniture screed


Dowel

Fillers

Furniture fittings also include padding, which is used to add softness to the structure. Main types of fillers:

  1. Foam rubber. One of the most popular solutions. The raw materials are inexpensive, wear-resistant, and not subject to most negative influences. In extreme cases, replacement will not be difficult.
  2. Independent springs. Each bends separately from all the others, which provides increased operating comfort for upholstered furniture. During rest, the surface completely follows the shape of the human body.
  3. Sintepon. Pleasant to the touch, lightweight, inexpensive material. Used for stuffing backrests and armrests.
  4. Synthetic down. It is obtained by combing polyester. After treatment with silicone, the fibers can be joined together. The final raw material is superior to the natural version in terms of durability, as it better holds the shape of the furniture.
  5. Spring block. Here the elements are connected by a common wire. Each spring measures about a square meter. If one of them fails, the entire structure must be replaced.

The choice of filler should be considered carefully, since the usability of the furniture depends on its characteristics, and the service life of the product as a whole depends on its quality.


Foam rubber


Sintepon


Synthetic down


Independent springs


Spring block

Support elements

Upholstered furniture fittings also include supporting structures. These are miniature elements that take on the weight of the product with all internal mechanisms. The main variety is legs:

  1. They can be low, located at a minimum distance from the floor. Used in withdrawable structures where it is necessary to hide the mechanism.
  2. Height-adjustable models are popular. The range of changes here is small, but it is enough to choose the level of upholstered furniture that is comfortable for you, for example, under a coffee table.
  3. Folding sofas such as a couch or a book are located on full high legs.

The second type of supporting hardware for upholstered furniture is wheels. They make the use of structures as convenient as possible, allowing you to move them without much effort. The rollers differ in the material they are made from. There are wooden, plastic, silicone, rubber models. Each subtype is suitable for certain types of floor coverings - this nuance should be clarified in advance. Wheels also differ in the way they are attached to the furniture surface.


Low


Adjustable


High


Rollers

Decor

Little things designed to give the product a unique appearance also apply to upholstered furniture fittings. This includes covers for pillows, zippers on them, Velcro, with which they are fixed, if necessary. All upholstery also falls into this category. There are several varieties here:

  1. Chenille is a combination of cotton and synthetic threads woven in a unique way. Thanks to this, the upholstery is strong and abrasion-resistant.
  2. Velor - has a small pile, the quality directly depends on the density of the weaving. Distinctive features: softness, environmental friendliness.
  3. Leather is a natural material used in luxury upholstered furniture. It is durable, wear-resistant, and easy to maintain. Artificial analogues are made from synthetic raw materials, but they are also reliable, and the cost of upholstery is much lower.
  4. Suede - created from polyester with cotton. The top is treated with a Teflon solution, which significantly increases the strength of the upholstery. Requires careful care.
  5. Flock is a fabric with a pile. It is considered a subspecies of velor. However, the content of synthetic components in this fabric is higher. It has many advantages, from moisture resistance to strength - even animal claws are not afraid of this fabric.

When choosing upholstery for upholstered furniture, you should focus not only on the advantages and disadvantages of the material, but also on your own tactile sensations.


Chenille


Velours


Leather


Suede


Flock

Upholstery

The upholstery is responsible for the external component of the product. It depends on how long the sofa will maintain its attractive appearance.

There are a number of requirements for the quality of the material.

  • Resistant to stains.
  • Insensitive to ultraviolet light.
  • High strength indicators.
  • Low degree of shrinkage and stretching.
  • Color scheme and texture.
  • Pleasant sensations from tactile contact.
  • Ecological cleanliness.
  • Price.
  • Easy to care for

For the convenience of customers, all types of upholstery materials are divided into categories. The higher the number, the better performance the representatives of the group demonstrate.

  • 1 - cotton fabrics, some chenille samples, scotchgard.
  • 2 and 3—tapestry, flock, chenille, suede of varying degrees of density;
  • 4 - tapestry, jacquard and other heavy fabrics;
  • 5 - dense textiles made from natural fibers;
  • 6 — arpatek and artificial leather;
  • 7 - leather of natural origin;
  • 8 - specially tanned genuine leather.

Having an idea of ​​what's inside the sofa makes it much easier to decide on the right model.
Hidden elements have a great influence on the lifespan of the product. If the upholstery can be seen and touched, then the characteristics of the filler will have to be found out from the passport. It is advisable to test the transformation mechanism several times to ensure its functionality and absence of defects. © 2021 Furniture-one.ru — Copying materials is strictly prohibited.

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