| |||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||
| Upholstery Buyers Guide Things you should know before buying your furniture Q: Is the frame made from kiln dried hardwoods such as maple or oak? A: You may never see the wood used to make the frame of your upholstered furniture, but you should know that softwoods, plywood and particle boards are not strong enough to hold the joinery that is required for good quality furniture. The tight graining of hardwoods allow pegs, screws, and nails to be securely fastened so they won't come loose over time. You also want to know if the wood in your furniture has been kiln dried. Kiln drying is a process in which the wood is heated in an industrial oven to provide the following benefits: Removal of excess sap and moisture, which may cause warping. Prevents wood from absorbing any moisture in the future that may cause swelling, shrinking, or shape change in the frame which may loosen joints and fastenings. Ensures long-term stability and shape retention and minimizes splitting and warping during the life of the piece. Q: Are seating springs made from Sinuous Heavy Gauge Steel, at least eight gauge? A: Sinuous springs are heavy gauge steel springs that have been heat formed into continuous S shapes. The components are affixed to the frame from front to back. A lighter gauge steel is used for the sofa back, usually 11 gauge. Q: Are seat clips Teflon coated to prevent springs from squeaking? A: Teflon coated seat clips prevent spring squeaking as they glide during excessive spring movement. Q: Is the seating cushion made from high-density foam, of at least 2.01 lb density? A: The density or weight of the foam solely determines the quality and durability of the seating foam. Many people confuse the firmness of the foam with quality thinking firm foams will last longer--untrue. Some manufacturers have moved to using 1.8 lb density foam, which has a shorter life, higher tendency to collapse, and a lower support factor. Q: Are the arms of the furniture adequately padded? A: The arms of any piece of furniture should feel substantial and comfortable. The fabric should be applied over soft, ample padding of foam and/or polyester to create a tight, tailored line where it wraps around the frame. Beware of lumpy upholstering and places where you can feel the frame wood through the fabric as these are signs of inferior work. Q: Does the furniture come with self decking? A: Lift the seat cushion to check if the decking area is upholstered in the same fabric as the body of the furniture. Many manufacturers will cut costs by using inferior quality fabric in the deck. Self decking is a sign of a good quality piece of furniture. Q: How durable is the fabric? A: Fabrics cover a broad area of colors and prices. Fabrics can account for up to 75% of the furniture price. More expensive fabric does not mean that the furniture is more durable. Choosing furniture should be based on how you will use it and which fabric best suits your needs. Tightly woven fabrics and blends tend to wear longer than those loose weave natural fabrics. Some fabrics have inherent characteristics that are part of their charm, such as slubs on natural fiber fabrics and textural variations on wovens. Pillings or small balls of fuzz on your fabric may appear over time with normal use. This depends on the type of weave, how the fabric is constructed, and the type of use received. Q: Will the furniture fit in your home? A: The furniture industry has different ways of measuring the dimensions of furniture. Sofa measurements are as follows: Length = The longest size from the outside arm to the outside arm Depth = The longest size from front to back Height = The size from the floor to the highest point which is usually the top of the frame Pillows may extend beyond the height size of the piece Measure the width and height of the area that leads to the room in which you are placing the furniture. Take into consideration sharp turns, narrow openings, elevators, and stairways. As a general rule, you should allow approximately three feet of clearance on each end of your furniture. Q: How will I keep my furniture looking new? A: Vacuum upholstery at least twice a month. Furniture in high traffic areas will require more frequent care. Normal use of furniture leaves dust and dirt on the fabric. Without proper care, this everyday buildup will make your furniture difficult or impossible to clean. Regular care and maintenance will prolong the life and appearance of your furniture. Rotate pillows and seat cushions to avoid uneven wear and fading. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight or near a heat source. Sun and heat fade fabric and deteriorate fibers. Dark colors and finer weaves are particularly susceptible to the effects of heat and sun. If furniture is placed in direct sunlight or near heat, you should choose heavyweight neutral blends that won't fade dramatically. If you have spills or stains it is recommended that you use a clean absorbent soft cloth or towel. Blot any spills immediately. Do not rub spills as this tends to spread the stain and weaken the fabric. Have all stains professionally cleaned immediately. If too much time passes before having a stain cleaned, the stain may set permanently. | |||||||||||||||||||||
