Sofa upholstery materials: types, specifications, selection tips

When choosing a sofa, it is very important to pay attention to its upholstery. Sheathing material is of crucial importance both in terms of the practical and functional characteristics of furniture, as well as in relation to the external design and aesthetic perception of the product. Today in our material we will talk about popular fabrics and fabrics for sofa upholstery, as well as how to choose them correctly.

To begin with, it should be borne in mind that high-quality upholstery material for a sofa should be wear-resistant and dense. In addition, it is recommended to pay close attention to such requirements:

• tactile sensations (play a crucial role in the operation of furniture, can significantly increase or decrease the comfort and coziness of the sofa);
• abrasion resistance (this indicator is very important, since the duration of the operation period depends on it);
• color fastness (different tissues react differently to direct sunlight);
• air tightness (it is desirable that the fabric passes air through itself);
• stability (this characteristic affects the degree of stretching of the tissue);
• peeling (This indicator affects the fact that during the operation of the sofa spools do not appear on it, which significantly spoil the appearance of the sofa);
• treatment (when buying a sofa, you need to know in advance about how it can be cleaned in case of stains and other undesirable pollution);
• structure (if possible, choose materials whose composition is the most environmentally friendly, and harmful substances should be absent);
• additional characteristics (some fabrics have enhanced functionality: for example, they can repel dust and moisture).

Of great importance is also type of fabricwhich is used for upholstery. There are 7 types of fabric in total. The first includes such light materials as cotton and scotchguard, and the seventh - genuine leather.

Today in the furniture market you can find sofas with a variety of upholstery. Varieties of upholstery differ in key characteristics, so they are usually divided into categories. Consider a description of the most popular materials that are involved in the manufacture of upholstery for a sofa.

This material is characterized by increased softness, so velor sofas are bought by those who wants to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere in their home. Velor do from natural raw materials, namely from cotton and wool. The external distinctive features of the material are very unique, an extensive color palette is available for buyers, so a velor sofa can become an adornment of any interior.

It should be noted that the distinctive features of the material include an increased level of strength. This means that over time, the velor will not deform (even under the influence of a large mass of people sitting on the couch). It is worth noting the air-transmitting properties of velor.

Velor can be easily cleaned with a vacuum cleaner or detergent (The second option is perfect for eliminating intense pollution). As for those stains that cannot be removed from the velor, these include stains from coffee, sauce and juice. Over time, abrasion may occur in the most exploited places, and therefore the service life of velor sofas is short.

Scotchguard in its characteristics resembles such a widespread and widely known material as jacquard, but it is much cheaper in cost. The distinctive characteristics of an adhesive tape include a long service life and resistance to pollution. In addition, for the production of material used only natural raw materials. By its tactile characteristics, the scotchguard is very soft and pleasant, but at the same time durable and reliable.

In order to remove any contaminants that appear, you can use only soap and a soft towel. Dry cleaning is also acceptable. As for the caveats, the sofas from scotchguard In no case should they be exposed to direct sunlight.

Jacquard sofas are different incredibly attractive appearance. Often this material has a beautiful pattern, so it will attract the attention of all your guests. The production technology of this material is called "Complex plexus of high strength fibers." Thanks to this technique, the upholstery itself is very strong and reliable.

As for tactile characteristics, then the material is very hard and cold, in this regard it will not be very comfortable to sit or lie on a piece of furniture with such upholstery. In this way, Jacquard sofas for the most part perform a decorative function and are rarely used in practice.

Chenill by its external characteristics looks like a tapestry. The functional characteristics of these materials are also similar. It is important to keep in mind that shenill is an expensive material, because it is very beautiful in appearance and can be used for a long period. Chenillo sofa upholstery can be an accent to the interior of your home.

During use, the fabric practically does not deteriorate and does not change shape. On the other hand, material cannot be used in high humidityas water can cause the upholstery to deteriorate.

Flock - This is a great choice for sofa upholstery for those pet owners. In appearance it resembles velvet. In addition, the fabric is hypoallergenic, so it can be used even where there are small children and people with individual intolerances. Tactile sensations flock is very soft and pleasant. The fabric can be cleaned very simply and quickly with detergent and a sponge. Unlike some other materials that are used for upholstery, the flock is not exposed to the negative effects of direct sunlight.

However, even despite such a large number of advantages, the flock has a number of disadvantages. So, for example, they can be attributed fast abrasion, ability to absorb and retain odors (in this regard, furniture from flock upholstery should never be placed in the kitchen).

Microfiber is a finishing material that possesses good operational properties. It is not subject to molting processes, does not fade in the sun, does not absorb dirt and does not pass water. Due to these characteristics, the fabric is very expensive.

Sofas with genuine leather upholstery can be bought only by wealthy people, since the price of furniture is quite high. This material is considered classic upholstery leather furniture fits well into almost any interior style. Leather upholstery is very strong and durable.. To clean it, you need to use a sponge or rags. Over time, the leather upholstery is cracked and wiped. Leather sofas inconvenient to use in the hot season, since they are very slippery.

Suede is another popular type of upholstery fabric. Moreover, among users the artificial suede variety is more popular. She is great imitates natural material, but has a reduced price. Faux suede has a high level of wear resistance and strength. The fabric looks good externally, and can also last a fairly long period of time.

The tactile feel of faux suede very soft and pleasant. It does not undergo deformation, does not fade in the light. At the same time, there are difficulties in the process of caring for such a sofa - furniture can only be dry cleaned.

For furniture upholstery, both natural and artificial velveteen are used. The fabric has high performance, but also has several significant drawbacks. In particular, the fact that dirt and dust accumulate in the folds of a velveteen. It’s very difficult to remove such shortcomings. Get dry cleaning for help.

In terms of its external characteristics, Arpatek very similar to skin. However, this material has a lower cost, can be used for a long time and is easy to use. As for the shortcomings, it must be borne in mind that arpatek is a material that undergoes cracking. Regarding tactile sensations, Arpatek is much warmer and more pleasant than the skin, it is not so slippery.

This upholstery fabric belongs to the budget category, therefore is accessible to almost every person. The structure of the fabric is quite dense. It should be noted right away that artificial materials are the raw materials for the boucle, so this upholstery is not suitable for everyone (allergy sufferers should be especially careful). There are a wide variety of colors and shades. Moreover, the fabric itself can be both holistic and monotonous, or combine a whole palette of shades and subnotes.

In addition to the fabric options described above, other materials can also be used for furniture upholstery. For example, you can find tapestry sofas or denim upholstery. Forest is an upholstery material that has high performance properties: it does not deform and exhibits high resistance characteristics with respect to negative mechanical and thermal influences.

Another popular material is eco-velor. Also often used courtesan. Eco-velor is characterized by a pleasant and soft tactile sensation. The courtesan has water-repellent properties.

The choice of upholstery material for the sofa should be as careful and thoughtful as possible. So, first of all, you should rely on in which room you will place the piece of furniture. Furniture upholstery for the kitchen should exhibit wear resistance at the highest level, be washable and waterproof. Optimal sofa upholstery for the living room - These are soft and comfortable materials.

If you want to update the upholstery in the bedroom, then It is recommended to pay attention to beautiful decorative options: for example, jacquard or scotchguard. The most durable and practical upholstery should be in the nursery. So, flock is perfect for a child. In the office, choose the right leather furniture. Special care should be taken when choosing an upholstery if you have a pet (such as a cat or dog) in your home. The thing is that in this case, the furniture is subjected to constant mechanical stress. Sustainable materials rating includes flock and velor.

In addition, several key factors should be considered in the selection process.

• Manufacturer. Regardless of which particular fabric you choose, give preference to reliable and trusted manufacturers. Only in this way you can count on high quality and compliance with all international standards.
• Weight. The weight of a quality fabric that is suitable for upholstering sofas should be no less than 330 grams per meter. Moreover, higher indicators indicate the possibility of long-term preservation of the required form (and vice versa).
• Design. The appearance is also important. So, the sofa should fit perfectly into the overall interior of the room and complement the overall interior well or be an accent in the room.
• Cost. Remember that not always high cost indicates high quality. In some cases, you will have to overpay for the brand. The choice is yours, but remember the optimal ratio of indicators such as price and quality.
• Seller. Buy sofas or separately upholstery fabric only in company and official stores. Otherwise, you can buy substandard or fake materials that will not meet the necessary functional requirements.

In the next video you will find an overview of furniture fabrics from a leading designer.