Anatomy of Quality & Comfort 8-way hand-tied coil springs Steel bands under each row of springs guarantee springs will never sag Hand-rubbed finish and authentic detailing on legs Form fitted corner blocks with glue High density, top quality polyurethane foam core Double doweled joints Coil spring backing Kiln dried hardwood frame Deeply cushioned back

Have you ever been furniture shopping and noticed two seemingly identical sofas marked at extremely different prices? Chances are the biggest difference between the two sofas is the quality. Because the construction of upholstered furniture is largely hidden, it is important to know what to look for and what to ask when furniture shopping. Use the following checklist as a guide to help you in your search for the perfect upholstered piece.

Frames

• Sofa frames should be made of kiln dried hardwood to resist warping.
• Frame joints should be double-doweled and have corner blocks to provide structural reinforcement.

Springs

• As a rule, the more coils in a spring and the deeper the spring, the better the seat.
• Individual steel coil springs should be connected to each other with thick spring twine. Eight-way-hand-tied is superior because the springs are not only tied together from front to back of the seat and from side to side, but also diagonally across the springs. This type of knotting requires a skillful worker to tie correctly.
• Steel bands, in addition to coil springs, provide extra support for seating areas.
• Covers for the springs should be non-absorbent and odor free.

Layers

• Webbing serves as a base for coils and should also be non-absorbent and odor free. Polypropylene is a good material for this.
• Layers of fire retardant polyester fiber should be under the seat deck.
• The most acceptable materials used for padding are cotton and cotton products, foam rubber, urethane foam, rubberized and man-made synthetic fibers. Cushions should have high-density, top-quality polyurethane foam as the core.
• Edge roll provides a firm shape to the seat edge.
• Cushion cores should be wrapped for longer life.

Backing

• The back of the furniture should have a woven polypropylene base support to the coil springs.
• The back needs coil springs just as much as the seats do to provide comfort and support. Woven polypropylene should also cover the back springs.
• Cotton or polyester fibers should be layered around foam for the ultimate in back comfort.
• The back panel should have matched fabric patterns also, which is especially important for pieces you'll float in a room.

The Fun Part

• Take your time with your fabric selection - you're going to live with it for awhile, so don't be hasty in your decision.
• If you cannot find a sofa with the fabric you want in any of the stores you try, you can always custom order most frames with a wide variety of fabrics.
• Start by checking the surface and weave - the tighter the weave, the more durable the fabric will be.
• Check the texture, too. It doesn't have to be smooth, but make sure it's not too scratchy for bare legs and arms.
• Sofa skirts should be lined.

Types of Fabrics

• Cotton is strong, accepts dye well and is versatile. However, it does wrinkle easily and is affected by mildew and sunlight. Some dyed cottons may not be "colorfast" and can be prone to dye loss (white spots) when it comes in contact with liquids.
• Linen is strong and has a high luster. While its lack of resiliency may cause wrinkling, crease-resistant finishes are available.
• Wool is a strong fiber with good insulating properties. It absorbs dye well and is soil resistant. Wool is typically more expensive and may attract moths if not treated.
• Acrylic fabrics have the warmth of wool; however, they resist moths, mildew and sunlight.
• Polyester is strong, wrinkle resistant, and soil resistant. However, it can be difficult to dye, resulting in a more limited choice of colors.
• Olefin is a good insulator and resists abrasion, stains and sunlight. It is also easy to care for.