From feathers to foams, discover various sofa fillings
When it comes to internal sofa parts, the sofa frame and spring system aren’t the only important elements. Upholstery filling—whether high density cushion foam, hollowfibre filling, feather and down or a mixture of any or all—is the second half of the sofa’s internal construction and equally important.
When it comes to internal sofa parts, the sofa frame and spring system aren’t the only important elements. Upholstery filling—whether high density cushion foam, hollowfibre filling, feather and down or a mixture of any or all—is the second half of the sofa’s internal construction and equally important.
Sofa Fillings: The Basics
Sofa fillings are varied in type, material and outcome so, depending on what you want from your sofa, there are many options to choose from. Three of the most important things to known about sofa fillings are:
— Their ability to provide the adequate support
— Their loft (or filling power determined by the number of cubic inches one ounce fills)
— The combination options e.g. a blend of feather and down, feather, down and fibre or down-wrapped foam cushions
Sofa Fillings: The Basics
Sofa fillings are varied in type, material and outcome so, depending on what you want from your sofa, there are many options to choose from. Three of the most important things to known about sofa fillings are:
— Their ability to provide the adequate support
— Their loft (or filling power determined by the number of cubic inches one ounce fills)
— The combination options e.g. a blend of feather and down, feather, down and fibre or down-wrapped foam cushions
Stuffing
Before foam filling existed, stuffing was used ubiquitously in traditional sofa upholstery and sometimes it is, still, used today. It is often used in conjunction with other fillings but is independently prized for its natural-feel comfort and ability to fill small and difficult spaces.
Stuffing
Before foam filling existed, stuffing was used ubiquitously in traditional sofa upholstery and sometimes it is, still, used today. It is often used in conjunction with other fillings but is independently prized for its natural-feel comfort and ability to fill small and difficult spaces.
Stuffing
Before foam filling existed, stuffing was used ubiquitously in traditional sofa upholstery and sometimes it is, still, used today. It is often used in conjunction with other fillings but is independently prized for its natural-feel comfort and ability to fill small and difficult spaces.
Wadding & Padding
Wadding & Padding
In chair and sofa upholstery, wadding (or batting) is used in conjunction with foam to soften cushion edges, produce the rounded top—known as the crown—of a cushion, to prevent friction between the core foam and upholstery fabric and to compensate for any slackness in fabric as it stretches over time. Here are the wadding options you should know:
In chair and sofa upholstery, wadding (or batting) is used in conjunction with foam to soften cushion edges, produce the rounded top—known as the crown—of a cushion, to prevent friction between the core foam and upholstery fabric and to compensate for any slackness in fabric as it stretches over time. Here are the wadding options you should know:
Foams
Most upholstery foams are made of polyurethane (a combination of polyol and diisocyanate) and the term “polyurethane foam” is a generically used term which covers everything from memory foam to high density foam. Overall, foam is the firmest of all upholstery fillings although it does come in varying materials and densities.
In many countries, including the UK, these densities are distinguished by their corresponding colours—pink, white and blue. In the States, upholstery foams are given an Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) rating which denotes their firmness.
Lower IFDs are softer; higher IFDs are firmer. In high-end upholstery, multiple foams are used in a single sofa so that individual areas are given completely tailored support. UK foam manufacturers are obligated to comply with the national standards and all foams should be of a high quality.
Sofa foams made overseas don’t always have such strict regulations and, therefore, are usually of inferior quality. Inferior foams are not comfortable, do not provide adequate support and will deteriorate very quickly. Foams from overseas must be CMHR combustion modified and high resilient to comply with UK legislation.
Foams
Most upholstery foams are made of polyurethane (a combination of polyol and diisocyanate) and the term “polyurethane foam” is a generically used term which covers everything from memory foam to high density foam. Overall, foam is the firmest of all upholstery fillings although it does come in varying materials and densities.
In many countries, including the UK, these densities are distinguished by their corresponding colours—pink, white and blue. In the States, upholstery foams are given an Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) rating which denotes their firmness.
Lower IFDs are softer; higher IFDs are firmer. In high-end upholstery, multiple foams are used in a single sofa so that individual areas are given completely tailored support. UK foam manufacturers are obligated to comply with the national standards and all foams should be of a high quality.
Sofa foams made overseas don’t always have such strict regulations and, therefore, are usually of inferior quality. Inferior foams are not comfortable, do not provide adequate support and will deteriorate very quickly. Foams from overseas must be CMHR combustion modified and high resilient to comply with UK legislation.
Foams
Most upholstery foams are made of polyurethane (a combination of polyol and diisocyanate) and the term “polyurethane foam” is a generically used term which covers everything from memory foam to high density foam. Overall, foam is the firmest of all upholstery fillings although it does come in varying materials and densities.
In many countries, including the UK, these densities are distinguished by their corresponding colours—pink, white and blue. In the States, upholstery foams are given an Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) rating which denotes their firmness.
Lower IFDs are softer; higher IFDs are firmer. In high-end upholstery, multiple foams are used in a single sofa so that individual areas are given completely tailored support. UK foam manufacturers are obligated to comply with the national standards and all foams should be of a high quality.
Sofa foams made overseas don’t always have such strict regulations and, therefore, are usually of inferior quality. Inferior foams are not comfortable, do not provide adequate support and will deteriorate very quickly. Foams from overseas must be CMHR combustion modified and high resilient to comply with UK legislation.
What Is Sofa Sagging & How To Prevent It?
What Is Sofa Sagging & How To Prevent It?
As long as a sofa has a well-made, solid wood frame, sofa sagging should be the only way it will deteriorate over time. Sofa sagging—also known as bottoming out—happens when the sofa’s materials stretch out over time or use (in the case of webbing), start to deteriorate (in the case of foam) or compress (in the case of wool or cotton wadding).
A sagging sofa may happen eventually—however high-quality a sofa’s foam, springs and webbing are—but quality is the best way of preventing premature sagging. Always buy sofas from quality retailers who use suitable, high-quality materials appropriate for its intended use. Low-quality foams will lose shape and quickly begin to break down or turn so brittle that they can be turned into powder.
Bad initial sofa construction may also result in sofa sagging. If manufacturers don’t properly affix upholstery fillings or separate layers with scrim, rubbing can result in materials breaking down, particularly foams.
As long as a sofa has a well-made, solid wood frame, sofa sagging should be the only way it will deteriorate over time. Sofa sagging—also known as bottoming out—happens when the sofa’s materials stretch out over time or use (in the case of webbing), start to deteriorate (in the case of foam) or compress (in the case of wool or cotton wadding).
A sagging sofa may happen eventually—however high-quality a sofa’s foam, springs and webbing are—but quality is the best way of preventing premature sagging. Always buy sofas from quality retailers who use suitable, high-quality materials appropriate for its intended use. Low-quality foams will lose shape and quickly begin to break down or turn so brittle that they can be turned into powder.
Bad initial sofa construction may also result in sofa sagging. If manufacturers don’t properly affix upholstery fillings or separate layers with scrim, rubbing can result in materials breaking down, particularly foams.
Fire Retardancy
In many countries, upholstery materials—both fillings and fabric—are required to conform to strict fire codes, usually referred to as Fire Retardancy or FR. This is because soft furnishings are, by nature, quite flammable and burn even quicker than wooden furniture pieces. In the UK, all upholstery materials should comply with the 1988 safety regulations which requires that all are cigarette-resistant, filling materials meet ignition requirements and covers are match-resistant.
For fabrics which are not manufactured with suitable FR standards, specific treatments can be applied or steps taken to ensure that they comply including interlining, back coating and chemical treatments.
Fire Retardancy
In many countries, upholstery materials—both fillings and fabric—are required to conform to strict fire codes, usually referred to as Fire Retardancy or FR. This is because soft furnishings are, by nature, quite flammable and burn even quicker than wooden furniture pieces. In the UK, all upholstery materials should comply with the 1988 safety regulations which requires that all are cigarette-resistant, filling materials meet ignition requirements and covers are match-resistant.
For fabrics which are not manufactured with suitable FR standards, specific treatments can be applied or steps taken to ensure that they comply including interlining, back coating and chemical treatments.
Here at LuxDeco, we are committed to helping customers around the world discover the sofa of their dreams. If you would like help designing or choosing your luxury sofa, contact our team at concierge@luxdeco.com or +44 (0)20 3322 8665.
Here at LuxDeco, we are committed to helping customers around the world discover the sofa of their dreams. If you would like help designing or choosing your luxury sofa, contact our team at concierge@luxdeco.com or +44 (0)20 3322 8665.
Discover More
Discover More
Continue on your sofa journey and learn more about the craftsmanship and care that goes into the production of our luxury sofas.
Continue on your sofa journey and learn more about the craftsmanship and care that goes into the production of our luxury sofas.