How to Judge the Quality of a Sofa

If you want to judge the quality of a sofa, go beyond what it looks like.

Quality goes deeper than looks, and that is why two identical-looking sofas can vary so much in price.

What lies inside determines how your sofa rates for quality.

Different parts of the sofa the frame, seating support, and filling determine not only your sofa’s level of comfort but also its ability to retain its shape and stability in the years to come.

The Frame

How long a sofa will last and retain its shape depends largely on the frame, and a high-quality sofa always has a strong, sturdy one. When looking at the frame of a sofa this is what you should consider:

The best frame is made out of kiln-dried hardwood. The process of kiln drying removes all moisture from the wood, enabling it to retain its shape and stability over a long period of time. Frames made of green wood can shrink or crack as it dries. Softwood can bend and break easily, while knotted wood is prone to cracks.

In a good-quality frame, the joints get special attention. They are glued, dowelled, and screwed. The corners are further strengthened by the addition of reinforcing blocks for extra support and strength.

Generally speaking, plywood and particleboard frames are inferior, especially if they are held together with staples. Additional layers of plywood can help reinforce the frame, so as you can see, construction matters as much as material. If you must choose a sofa with a plywood frame, make sure it has at least 11 to 13 layers of plywood.

https://www.thespruce.com/judging-furniture-quality-1391215