PPU in sofas: pros and cons. Which sofa is better: spring or polyurethane foam? It is divided into three varieties

Sofas are indispensable interior items in any home or apartment. Most often they are installed in the living room. When choosing important has spring block for a sofa, having high quality and ease of use. They are presented on the market in different types, so when choosing a particular piece of furniture, you certainly take into account what kind of spring block it contains. The ease of use of the product for its intended purpose, as well as the possibility of using it as the main place to sleep, depends on this.

Pros and cons

As a rule, these systems are equipped with sofas that are folding, so after transformation a comfortable and fairly large sleeping place is formed.

The advantages of using such furniture include:

• when choosing a quality product, it is guaranteed long term its service, so it will be possible to use it as the main place to sleep for many years;
• the springs can easily support a person’s weight, so even overweight people will sleep comfortably on the products without experiencing discomfort;
• spring sofas are formed in such a way as to take into account the structural features of the human body, so in any case comfortable conditions are created for constant and comfortable sleep;
• high-quality springs are resistant to deformation, therefore, even after a long period of use for their intended purpose, they do not lose their parameters and properties;
• High-quality and environmentally friendly components are used in the creation process, so it turns out good mechanism, which is pleasant to use;
• are equipped with a system different types sofas, which include book sofas or products equipped with other transformation mechanisms;
• Many manufacturers offer different types of mechanisms with blocks at reasonable prices, so these designs are considered affordable for every buyer.

Types of spring blocks

However, these types of sofas are not without some disadvantages. For example, they often use inexpensive foam rubber as padding, and this material, after a short period of use, loses its elasticity and shape, so it becomes simply impossible to sleep or even sit on such a product. Also, inexpensive systems have low damping characteristics, so the springs often sag.

Types of springs

There are several types of elements installed in upholstered furniture. They differ in their formation features and properties, as well as cost and parameters. When choosing a specific option, you should take into account the characteristics of each model.

Spring-based blocks can be:

• dependent, also called bonnel, and they are usually found in older models of sofas, and also have an affordable price. Here all the springs are connected to each other using strong metal wire. Therefore, if a significant impact is exerted on one spring, then the adjacent elements are pressed through;
• independent, with a high orthopedic effect, therefore truly optimal and safe conditions for the spine of a person who constantly uses this sofa to sleep. Each spring in such a block is located in a separate case, and all elements are connected into special tapes that are glued together. If you press on one spring, it will not affect the neighboring elements in any way. This ensures optimal support for problem areas of the human body, especially the lower back.

Dependent springs
Independent springs

Each species has its own subspecies that have certain characteristics. It’s quite difficult to say which is better to choose. Each buyer independently decides which type is most optimal and suitable for him. A sofa book with this type of mechanism is produced, and designs with other transformation mechanisms are also presented on the market.

Independent

An accordion sofa with independent spring elements is often found, and they are also built into other varieties of this piece of furniture. This is due to the fact that independent springs have certain advantages:

• all the springs are in a separate case, so a high-quality orthopedic effect is ensured, and using this sofa is actually very pleasant and simple, since there is no pushing effect;
• lying on such a sofa, the body does not spontaneously shift to the middle sleeping place;
• a book sofa with a spring block, which has independent springs, will never creak, even after a long period of use;
• Various fillers are placed on top, for example, foam rubber or felt, coconut coir or polyurethane foam, as well as other materials.

Internal structure mattress

If a spring system with independent elements is better for the buyer, then it is advisable to focus on models with a large number these items, which will ensure the formation of a high-quality and comfortable sleeping place.

A sofa with an independent spring block can be used even by two people, and they will not roll towards each other. This option is considered optimal for purchase. Independent springs for sofas are used for various transformation mechanisms. The number of springs used may differ in different blocks, and inexpensive products are those in which this number is 250, and more expensive models are equipped with 1 thousand springs or more.

Bonnell

These blocks belong to the economy class, therefore they are considered the most popular and frequently encountered. Their main features include:

• they are durable, convenient and comfortable;
• are formed using special spring cups with two cones, and high-carbon steel is used to create them, which is durable, reliable and environmentally friendly;
• the springs are laid on a special base, and it is formed from various materials, for example, plywood or MFD;
• if the bonnel is used for corner models sofas, then it is additionally lined around the edges special boxes, formed from polyurethane foam;
• On top of such a structure a foam layer or a layer of felt and batting is created.

Springs for bonnel spring block

These blocks can be built in for different transformation mechanisms, which is why they are found in accordions or Eurobooks. The service life predicted by manufacturers is 10 years, but if you really choose quality construction, then it can be in operation for many more years, delighting owners with high quality.

But such structures have poor orthopedic properties, and therefore are considered not very pleasant, useful and comfortable for constant use as a place to sleep. However, their price is considered acceptable for every buyer.

Bonnell spring block device

This spring system assumes that initially textile pockets are formed, separated from each other. They are then connected to each other in the middle. The result is a unit that has a long service life because the springs are not connected to each other. Even if, under certain circumstances, the integrity of one or more elements is compromised, this will not affect the quality of the entire sofa.

Which block is optimal? If this particular system is chosen, then the number of springs should not be less than 435 pieces, since otherwise it will not be able to cope with high loads, and also will not be able to serve for a long time.

Book sofas equipped with this block are comfortable. This is due to the supporting effect as the body weight is distributed across multiple supports. It is easy to relax and have a good rest on such a piece of furniture. However, the cost of this system is at high level.

Spring block multipack

Snake

This block is considered the simplest and most traditional. Here, all the springs are fixed on a special frame, for which special reliable fastenings are used. As a result, the seat receives a special springing effect. Foam rubber or felt is laid on top.

This block can be used for a seat or a backrest. The disadvantages include the fact that the block is quite soft and unstable under various loads, so after a short period of operation it begins to sag. Therefore, it is recommended to use sofas with this design quite rarely, since they are considered unsuitable for constant use for sleeping.

Flat snake
Action of snake springs

Selection rules

It is difficult to say which specific spring block is of the highest quality, optimal and suitable, since each future user must focus on his own preferences, capabilities and desires. However, some expert advice stands out to help you make the right choice:

• it is initially decided for what purposes the spring piece of furniture will be used, since it can be used as a sleeping place every day or several times a year;
• the optimal transformation mechanism is selected, which is convenient and reliable;
• the type of spring block is determined, and it is important to focus on your own preferences and the state of the body, as well as the weight of the planned user;
• additional layers in the block are selected, and the quality of the entire structure depends on them, since foam rubber products quickly fail, and coconut coir is characterized by increased rigidity, so it is selected best option for the future owner;

The “snake” spring got its name due to its peculiar sinuous shape, reminiscent of the body of a snake when moving.

In most cases, it is used as a filler for sofas and chairs. Upholstered furniture made using snake springs has good orthopedic qualities.

Let's tell you more about popular springs. This will allow you to independently determine whether it is good or bad for you if there is a “snake” installed in the sofa.

Fastening snake springs in a sofa

REFERENCE! The spring is made of strong steel, which bends under the influence of high temperatures.

Then it is covered special composition, thanks to which it is not subject to corrosion.

Springs mounted inside metal or wooden frame(or at him). In this case, a certain distance between the fasteners in the transverse direction is maintained.

The fasteners themselves are curved and are used for greater reliability. Their number is determined by the size and shape of the furniture. The frame of the product is very stable and does not sway.

There must be a polyurethane foam layer between the snake and the frame. It prevents hard material from coming into contact with the upholstery.

IMPORTANT! Furniture with such a spring has good performance characteristics and can last at least 20 years.

Advantages of the “snake” spring block

This type of block is one of the most popular for the production of sofas. Furniture with such filling has certain advantages.

• The spring can withstand heavy loads and maintain its shape even under the influence of large people.
• High wear resistance and durability.
• Quiet in operation: high-quality products do not emit extraneous sounds or squeaks.
• Good level of ventilation. The spring block is capable of maintaining the temperature of the human body for a long time. It is this feature that helps him breathe and generally has a beneficial effect on his well-being.
• The sofa has a flat surface.
• Easy to transport and install.
• Price available to the buyer. Of course, the price range for furniture is wide. It depends on the materials used, design features products, as well as the manufacturer and other factors. However, on average in the market, the cost of such sofas remains acceptable for most consumers.

This type of blocks gives the sofa a special softness and orthopedic effect. Therefore, the use of such furniture is recommended by doctors as a therapeutic agent.

Disadvantages of the “snake” spring block

There were no obvious shortcomings in furniture with these springs.

Among the negative aspects of springs, their poor shock-absorbing properties are highlighted.. For example, when a person sits on a sofa, it quickly sags under the influence of his weight. When trying to stand up, the person sitting sinks even further into the surface of the sofa. Particularly obese and elderly people may find it difficult to quickly stand up on their own.

And also at the first stages of using such furniture this fact will be inconvenient for lovers of hard surfaces. However this disadvantage is not critical and you can get used to it.

Thus, snake spring blocks have gained popularity both among buyers and among furniture assemblers. They have excellent performance characteristics and will serve to the delight of their owners. for many years. Taking into account the pros and cons of these designs, you can decide whether such furniture is suitable for you.

"Snake" (zigzag springs) are a type of springs used in furniture production. Zigzag springs work in tension, usually used in foundations soft elements As a rule, these are soft elements of furniture - seats.

The springs are attached to the sofa frame in the transverse direction. Number of springs in seats upholstered furniture depends on the size and purpose of the product. Zigzag springs are used in mattresses, beds, couches and sofa beds. Also, “snake” springs are installed in the backs of soft furniture elements in the form of ready-made spring structures.

There are various ways fastening “snake” springs to wooden and metal frames. The simplest form fastenings - steel brackets made of sheet steel or wire.
The frame of the product with a base made of “snake” springs is stable and does not sway. Springs of this type provide a weak orthopedic effect. The main advantage of using “Snake” springs is the evenness of the base of the sofa and its noiselessness during operation.

View sofas with .

Spring block "Bonnel".

Spring blocks consist of Bonnell type springs fastened together with a spiral of high-carbon steel spring wire.

The spiral is fixed with “locks” on the first and last turns, which prevents spontaneous unscrewing.

An important difference between Bonnell spring blocks and a block of independent springs is the following:

The Bonnell spring block is without a doubt the most popular and recognizable type of spring block throughout the world. High reliability, simplicity and affordable price products are the main reasons for its massive and widespread use.

Advantages of Bonnell spring blocks.

• The Bonnel spring block can withstand heavy loads. People with a large weight - more than 110 kg - are recommended to use springs of this particular series.
• Long service life (durability) - the Bonnel spring block retains its elastic properties for a long time.
• Since the Bonnell double-cone spring block creates a large volume of air in the mattress, this mattress has good moisture exchange.
• Low price - its production is relatively inexpensive.

Disadvantages of Bonnell spring blocks.

• Due to the connections of individual springs with each other, surface elasticity is obtained (if you press one spring, the neighboring ones also work). Therefore, the ability of such springs to take the shape of the human body is not optimal.
• Currently, the use of Bonnell spring blocks is declining. However, among great variety are produced and enough good mattresses and furniture with reinforced springs - such products are of quite high quality.

View sofas with .

Independent spring block

Independent spring block- this is a block in which each spring is enclosed in a separate case made of spunbond or fibertex non-woven material. The springs are not fastened to each other, each spring is compressed separately as much as the pressure is applied to it, regardless of the load on the neighboring springs.

Independent springs are sewn into separate textile covers (pockets). B The block of independent springs is glued with spunbond on top and bottom, which allows you to accurately maintain the geometric dimensions of the block.

Covers with independent springs are connected to each other. These connections must be fundamentally concentric so that each spring can exhibit its elastic properties (point elasticity), i.e., without involving neighboring springs, distribute the load pointwise. This allows you to achieve an anatomical effect: the mattress follows the contours of the person lying on it, the spine remains straight, the back muscles are relaxed, which reduces the risk of back pain and diseases of the musculoskeletal system.

Advantages of a block of independent springs

Modern sofa with spring block

The filler of upholstered furniture affects its service life and comfort. Therefore, it is important to take this parameter into account when purchasing. One of the common fillers are springs. They are divided into several types. Before purchasing, it is important to understand all the intricacies of this issue.

Variety of fillers for upholstered furniture

Which sofa to choose depending on the desired degree of rigidity and the purpose of the furniture

Types of spring blocks in mattresses

Springs have been used for upholstered furniture for a long time. They are a whole block mounted on a wood frame. The outer part is often wrapped in material.

The spring block maintains the shape of the furniture and resists sagging

In high-quality models, a similar layer of fabric is made under and above the springs. From those listed components depends on the reliability of the design.

Each spring is located in a separate pocket made of polyurethane foam and does not depend on its neighbors, only the pockets are connected to each other

Spring block for upholstered furniture

Springs act as shock absorbers, allowing the structure to be elastic, resilient and soft. They help avoid sagging and keep their shape.

Internal section of upholstered furniture with a description of fillers

Species

Springs for bonnel spring block

The DS (double spring) spring block is designed as an independent spring system “spring in spring”

There are 3 main types reflected in the table.

Independent springs - each spring in such a block is located in a separate case

Dependent springs - connected to each other using strong metal wire

Snake block - springs run horizontally inside the sofa seat

Advantages and Disadvantages

Internal structure of a mattress with independent springs

The following advantages exist.

The impact of spring blocks of dependent and independent springs on the spine

But there are also some disadvantages.

How to choose the right one

A block that will last a long time consists of several layers: metal frame with springs, layers of dense polyurethane foam and felt

To purchase a reliable and quality product There are a number of characteristics that need to be taken into account when purchasing, including the purpose of the sofa and its rigidity. Therefore, it is worth considering the following.

The operating principle of independent springs eliminates deformation of the sleeping surface, providing correct anatomical support for the body

The choice will be influenced by the design of the sofa, its dimensions and the transformation mechanism. It should fit organically into general interior, does not take up too much space and is convenient to understand. Then it will be convenient to use it.

Scheme of filling a sofa with a spring block

Video: Spring block “BONEL” independent block, snake spring, serpento

How often do you choose upholstered furniture based on its appearance, without thinking about what’s inside? But internal filling is no less important. The reliability and durability of the seat, back and armrests, as well as the comfort and ease of seating directly depend on the filling for the sofas. Therefore, you need to approach its choice no less carefully than choosing the color of the upholstery or the shape of the sofa.

What is better - springs or highly elastic polyurethane foam (PPU)? We talk about the most popular materials and help you decide which filling is best for your sofa in order to get a comfortable and durable place to relax for many years.

What's hidden inside: general classification of fillers

There are two large groups of upholstered furniture fillers: with springs and without springs.

In the first case, on the springs cylindrical or a spring “snake” base, several layers of natural or artificial covering material are laid - coconut coir, latex, foam rubber, felt, etc. Different densities of a particular coating and many spring options allow you to create fillings different degrees rigidity.

Springless fillers are based on highly elastic polyurethane foam (PPU, furniture foam rubber) - an inexpensive, but durable and elastic artificial material.

If you look at the cross-sectional image of the sofa, you will see that all its internal contents are stacked on top of each other in layers. This method of installation is usually called “layer cake”: alternating different materialsallows sofas and armchairs to be hard or soft, gives the surface elasticity, airiness and relief, which contributes to comfortable rest and relieves stress from the spine.

Springs

The spring block comes in two types: with dependent (Bonnell type) and independent springs. Both options are very durable, provided that there is a sufficient number of intermediate layers between the block itself and the outer upholstery.

Multilayer coating is prerequisite any high-quality sofa with a spring block.

Dependent spring block

A classic, time-tested option. Here all the springs are connected to each other by a continuous spiral steel wire. If you press one spring, the others will immediately connect to it, thereby distributing the load across the entire base. The structure is attached around the perimeter to the edging frame and covered with an intermediate layer of non-woven material.

Furniture filled with dependent springs is cheaper, but it should be remembered that the orthopedic properties of a dependent spring block are lower than those of an independent one.. In this case, the springs do not adjust to the load individually, so if another person sits or lies on the sofa (especially with more weight than you), you can feel how the entire structure bends (the so-called"hammock effect").

Independent spring block

In a block of this type, each spring lives its own life” and does not depend on its neighbors, which gives the surface high point elasticity and allows it to better adapt to the contours of the body.

The steel springs placed in separate fabric covers do not creak, do not rub, and in case of breakage are not capable of breaking through top layer filler and cover.

Spring snake

Attached to a wooden or metal base using a hinged bar or steel brackets, the “snake” is a simple and inexpensive spring base. And although it is not a full-fledged filler - a layer of polyurethane foam is always laid on top - it is able to withstand heavy loads, does not deform and is very durable.

PPU

Polyurethane foam (PPU or furniture foam rubber) is an inexpensive and highly elastic furniture filler. Provides a comfortable fit, has good elasticity and is environmentally friendly.

For the base of a sofa with such filling, as a rule, block furniture foam rubber is used, cut and twisted in a certain way. Some models require special blanks molded polyurethane foam, which is also used as a filler for pillows - the material allows it to hold any shape given to it.

Sofas are filled with polyurethane foam of various brands - standard, luxury polyurethane foam, polyurethane foam with memory effect, etc. The higher the properties of the material, the more expensive the sofa will cost to manufacture.

If you love comfort no less than savings- Pay attention to the filling of the sofa with premium polyurethane foam (artificial latex). Its basis is polyurethane foam of particularly high elasticity.

Viscoelastic polyurethane foam is a separate type of polyurethane foam that has a unique orthopedic “shape memory” effect. A mattress or pillow filled with such material reacts to pressure and heat, remembering the shape of your body. Press the surface with your palm and release - the dent will disappear very slowly.

Before buying a sofa or mattress, be sure to find out the density level of PU foam- a seat with an indicator of 28-30 kg/cubic meter will provide not only comfort, but also the durability of soft furniture elements. At the backthe density must be no lower22-25 kg/cub.m, and armrests- 20-22 kg/cub.m.

Other materials

Furniture fillings are not limited only to foam rubber and springs - other materials are also used as additional layers for filling.

Natural latex

A base made of natural latex is often used in expensive upholstered furniture - the material is highly elastic, instantly restores its original shape, is non-toxic, hypoallergenic and has a long service life.

Sintepon

The most inexpensive, but very durable artificial filler. It creates additional softness and elasticity. Also, the material is not susceptible to fungus formation. The main disadvantage is that with regular use it does not hold its shape; characteristic dents and irregularities appear on the surface. In case constant use This material should be considered in combination with polyurethane foam as a covering layer - its share in the filling is small, but one way or another it can improve the shock-absorbing properties of the seat.

Holcon (struplast)

Modern non-woven material, consisting of an intermediate layer of vertically laid synthetic polyester fiber and two closing layers of dense reinforcing ribbed surfaces. This method of laying allows the mattress or pillow to sag only in places of pressure and quickly restore its shape.

Holcon is easy to care for, retains heat well, has increased elasticity, is environmentally friendly and does not absorb moisture and odors.

An unambiguous answer to the question, which better filler for a sofa does not exist, but you can protect yourself from inconvenience and disappointment by choosing the “filling” according to the purpose of the future sofa. So, for a sleeping place it is better to consider a filler with a more rigid and flexible base (highly elastic polyurethane foam, independent spring block, natural latex), because Regular rest on an overly soft or creased bed can have a bad effect on the spine. But the guest option provides for any content.