Materials Used When Making A High End/Quality Sofa
1 STUFFING MATERIALS
DOWN FILLING
Composition: Undercoat of swans, ducks and geese
Source: Northern Ireland
Benefits and Uses: Incredibly soft and regulates heat well
Environmental Impact: According to the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL) “Down and feathers have the lowest carbon footprint of any other fill material”
FEATHER FILLING
Composition: Duck and geese feathers.
Source: Northern Ireland
Benefits and Uses: Incredibly soft and regulates heat well.
Environmental Impact: According to the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (IDFL) “Down and feathers have the lowest carbon footprint of any other fill material”
WADDING & PADDING
Composition: Typically, Dacron (a hypoallergenic polyester that isn’t absorbent, making it resistant to mildew, mould and stains since it cannot retain water or other liquids)
Source: United Kingdom.
Benefits and Uses: Durable, long lasting, lightweight and hypoallergenic
Environmental Impact: Usually a nonbiodegradable synthetic, however, an extremely durable material which lasts decades and therefore creates longer lasting, more sustainable upholstered furniture
2 FOAM
HIGH-RESILIENCY FOAM (VARIOUS)
Composition: A fast response polyurethane foam
Source: Germany
Benefits and Uses: A much higher responsiveness than even memory foam, making it very soft, comfortable and supportive
Environmental Impact: Usually a nonbiodegradable synthetic, however, an extremely durable material which lasts decades and therefore creates longer lasting, more sustainable upholstered furniture
RECYCLED FOAM (BLENDED)
Composition: Reconstituted foam made from recycled materials
Source: Germany
Benefits and Uses: Extremely durable and long-lasting. Good for the environment and contract/high impact seating
Environmental Impact: Very long lasting (decades) and also made from discarded foams
HIGH-DENSITY FOAM (BLUE)
Composition: A dense/weighty and luxurious polyurethane foam
Source: Germany
Benefits and Uses: Very high quality, used in higher-end upholstered furniture for initial shaping. It is layered with other foams to allow easy shaping and for a wellrounded finish
Environmental Impact: Usually a nonbiodegradable synthetic, however, an extremely durable material which lasts decades and therefore creates longer lasting, more sustainable upholstered furniture
MEDIUM-DENSITY FOAM (RED)
Composition: A medium weight/density polyurethane foam
Source: Germany
Benefits and Uses: Often combined with High-Density Foam (Blue) for a sofa/armchair’s seat and back cushion to give more natural support. It is also used for fixed seats and sharper curved backs on seating
Environmental Impact: Usually a non-biodegradable synthetic, however, an extremely durable material which lasts decades and therefore creates longer lasting, more sustainable upholstered furniture
LOW-DENSITY FOAM (WHITE)
Composition: A low density/lightweight polyurethane foam
Source: Germany
Benefits and Uses: Supportive sundry padding foam, used in combination with other foams for small and detailed support. Good for arms and other areas which take less wear and where support is less important
Environmental Impact: Usually a non-biodegradable synthetic, however, an extremely durable material which lasts decades and therefore creates longer lasting, more sustainable upholstered furniture.
3 BASE CLOTHS
RECYCLED BASE CLOTH
Composition: Recycled fabric made from reconstituted fabric
Source: United Kingdom
Benefits and Uses: Extremely durable and remains tight for a very long time. Great for the environment
Environmental Impact: Very long lasting (decades) and made from discarded fabrics
BURLAP
Composition: Hessian (skin of the jute plant)
Source: United Kingdom
Benefits and Uses: Burlap/Hessian is used to support padding in upholstered furniture. The cloth also provides a foundation for the exterior coverings of padding when layering of various elements come together in certain types of furniture, like elaborate sofas
Environmental Impact: Being made entirely from natural vegetable fibres Hessian is completely biodegradable
4 FRAMES
SOLID BIRCH AND BEECH
Composition: 100% FSC certified timber
Source: Eastern Europe
Benefits and Uses: Used for the main frame/structure of armchairs, lounge chairs and sofas. Extremely long-lasting; we provide a 15 year guarantee
Environmental Impact: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) helps look after forests and the people and wildlife who call them home. Our timber is very environmentally friendly
BIRCH PLYWOOD
Composition: 100% FSC certified timber
Source: Eastern Europe
Benefits and Uses: Used for the facing elements of armchairs, lounge chairs and sofas. It is also used as the core material on our headboards. Extremely long-lasting, we provide a 15 year guarantee
Environmental Impact: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) helps look after forests and the people and wildlife who call them home. Our timber is very environmentally friendly
METAL SERPENTINE SPRINGS
Composition: Steel serpentine shaped springs
Source: United Kingdom
Benefits and Uses: Eight and nine gauge serpentine, zig-zag or even “S” springs are used in seating. Eleven gauge are used in back supports of sofas and armchairs; these are softer and provide more comfort
Environmental Impact: Recyclable steel meaning even once discarded these can be reused. They are also very durable and long-lasting (as much as the frames)
5 FEET
SOLID WOOD FEET
Composition: 100% FSC certified timber
Source: Eastern Europe
Benefits and Uses: Used as legs on almost all our upholstered pieces, detachable to allow for easier access
Environmental Impact: The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) helps look after forests and the people and wildlife who call them home. Our timber is very environmentally friendly
METAL FEET, CASTORS AND SLIPPER CUPS
Composition: Steel
Source: Eastern Europe
Benefits and Uses: Used as legs on almost all our upholstered pieces, detachable to allow for easier access
Environmental Impact: Recyclable steel meaning even once discarded these can be reused
USEFUL NOTE
Spring Supports – Watch out for green webbing on large areas of linear sofa, this is an inferior version of steel serpentine spring supports. Webbing lasts just five years with normal use.
USEFUL NOTE
Structural Integrity – Our sofas are boarded out giving them superior structural integrity. To check this, tap the outside back and/or sides of the sofa or armchair. Competitors sometimes use webbing or even cardboard instead – this is inferior.