Inflatable sofas: pros and cons, types and choices

Not so long ago, inflatable furniture appeared on the market. It is distinguished by comfort of use and increased strength. Very popular these days are inflatable sofas, which is a good replacement for an uncomfortable cot, this solution is good for a summer residence, a country house or a picnic in nature. Modern inflatable sofas are available in a wide variety of shapes and colors, which makes them a very stylish piece of furniture. Let us dwell on the pros and cons of such products, types and features of their choice.

Inflatable furniture is a structure filled with air, it is distinguished by its ability to change shape and softness comfortable for the body. Initially, such sofas were created to quickly fill the room with furniture in case of an unexpected visit of guests or to organize a recreation area during overnight trips. Such furniture first appeared at the end of the 19th century. The models of the past were in many ways inferior to modern products in such parameters as strength, durability and safety of use. In the second half of the 20th century, the production of inflatable furniture acquired a serial character and became truly large-scale.

The start to the manufacture of such furniture was given by a request from railway companies that needed such sofas to organize a more comfortable transportation of passengers. The fabric and plastic did not justify themselves - the first did not let air through, and the second was unsafe. This led the engineers to the decision to use polyvinyl chloride, which met all the main quality parameters.This material is a vinyl film with the addition of synthetic polymers - the outer part of the sofa is made of them. The inner frame is made in such two ways as:

• from several longitudinally located stiffeners interconnected;
• from transverse ribs - they are located independently of each other, such designs are more reliable.

An inflatable sofa has many advantages, namely:

• it is compact, this design takes up very little space, thanks to which the furniture can be stored without cluttering the space, to take with you on trips;
• light weight - even a child can rearrange a sofa from one place to another; moving it does not require any physical effort;
• cost - you can buy an inflatable structure for a small cost, while in terms of functionality it can become a full-fledged alternative to several items at once;
• inflatable furniture is hygienic, modern materials let air through and repel moisture, so the sofa cover does not absorb sweat, as well as any accidentally spilled liquids.

Other benefits include the following:

• lack of seams;
• use for the production of only non-combustible materials;
• ease of care;
• the ability to install on virtually any surface;
• quick installation;
• the ability to use as a swimming mattress;
• a wide selection of models, including products of non-standard shapes and sizes.

but inflatable sofas have their drawbacks. Such furniture is not recommended for use in houses where pets live - the claws of the animal can damage the product, as well as a piece of glass or a small sharp stone if the sofa is installed in the fresh air.

Nowadays, a wide range of the most diverse models of inflatable sofas is presented in stores: models for the beach, banana, sofa mattress, children's, travel, hiking, self-inflating, folding, air, portable, sofa with back and without. Today it is not just a mattress that can be inflated for a one-night stay, but also a multifunctional item that is relevant in travel.

Such an inflatable device is a product of two or three sections. When folded, it can be used instead of a regular sofa, and when unfolded - as a sleeping place for an overnight stay. Most often, such models are used as temporary - during prolonged repairs, rest outside the city or when there is no opportunity to install more expensive furniture. The vinyl coating of such a transformer is usually strong, so it can be placed even in open space - it is not afraid of either the sun or rain.

Such a sofa looks like a voluminous, rather high inflatable section of a pair of chambers, it is performed in an oblong form. The sofa bag can be used both at home and outdoors for a picnic. Individual models can be used as a hammock or deck chair, and also instead of a swimming mattress.

These sofas are indispensable in the summer. They are a portable model that can be taken on the road and inflated in just a few minutes without using any pumps.

In previous years, inflatable sofas were most often made of vinyl - this is a waterproof material with a soft coating, it resembles flock or velor to the touch, so the sheet does not slip on its surface. In 1993, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) was invented, which is a fairly dense, but at the same time light material. It can withstand impressive loads, while not passing water and air. The material does not emit toxic substances, therefore it is absolutely safe for children and adults. It is hypoallergenic and hygienic. PVC is practical and durable, can be used for many years.

All modern PVC sofas are offered in the following options:

• single - the width is 60–95 cm;
• one and a half - the width is 100-130 cm;
• double - width is 150-200 cm.

The configurations of inflatable sofas completely imitate traditional solid furniture. They are characterized solely by texture and softness. As a rule, all options are comfortable, but only transformers can be used for sleep - they can be laid out and provide a full berth. A rather interesting solution would be angular, round or semicircular inflatable sofas - they are inflated for outdoor recreation and meetings with friends. It is unlikely that it will be possible to equip a sleeping zone from them.

A separate variety of such furniture is considered models for the car. They are a mobile place to sleep, which is stacked on top of the rear seats. Usually it is used when traveling and traveling when there is no opportunity to settle in a hotel. Some varieties are complemented by a special device that allows you to fill in an empty legroom near the rear seats. They are made double.

Nowadays, in any outlet you can find a wide variety of inflatable sofas of various manufacturers. Let us consider in more detail the most popular brands that have won the trust of users in various countries.

• Lamzac. This company introduced sofas to the market, which literally blew up the market and became the best-bought model for a country vacation in recent years. The cost of products from this manufacturer varies from 1 to 2.5 thousand rubles.

• Intex This brand offers a large selection of convertible sofas with ergonomic headboards and comfortable armrests. The cost of such products is an order of magnitude higher - the price tag starts at 2 thousand and ends in the region of 6-7 thousand rubles.

• Bestway. Products of this brand are well known to the Russian user. The company is popular as a manufacturer of inflatable products - pools, mattresses and sofas. All products are distinguished by high quality combined with affordable prices. The cost of inflatable sofas varies from 4 to 6 thousand rubles.

• Silapro. Sofas of this manufacturer are neither externally nor functionally different from Lamzac products, but they have a lower cost - about 700-800 rubles.

When choosing an inflatable sofa it is extremely important to pay attention to the following characteristics:

• coating - if you intend to use an inflatable sofa on the street, then it is worth giving preference to models with a plastic coating, since it is comfortable and protects the product from mechanical damage; for a house, it is better to choose sofas with a coating from the flock, its velvety surface keeps the bedding, prevents it from slipping and does not create discomfort for the back with prolonged contact with the material;
• the quality of the joints and their location - if the joints are transverse, then they can withstand much greater loads than longitudinal ones. It is desirable that the joints be sealed using a laser;
• the presence of vertical inserts in the frame - such design features provide additional stability to the product;
• reinforcement of the bottom - if you are going to use the sofa in the fresh air, then you will need models with additional reinforcement of the strength of the material;
• You need to choose the optimal air mattress taking into account its color, which will allow you to buy the model that will fit harmoniously into the interior.

The best option will be double models. They allow you to equip a full-fledged resting place, while in a deflated form they are compact, do not cause any inconvenience during transportation and storage. To accommodate a large company, it is desirable to give preference to multi-seat options.

Whenever possible, try to choose models with a built-in pump, as this will greatly facilitate your collection and changing clothes when traveling and traveling. However, far from all models I offer such a complete set, therefore, when choosing a suitable sofa, it is advisable to immediately purchase a pump suitable for it according to technical parameters.

The method of preparing inflatable furniture for use depends on the characteristics of each particular model.

Despite the abundance of universal pumps, it is still recommended to use one that optimally fits the diameter of the valve connector for inflating sofas, otherwise there is a high risk of spoiling the product ahead of time. The modern market offers a wide selection of manual and electric pumps for a wide variety of budgets.

Inflating such a sofa is much faster - it is inflated by the wind. To bring it into working condition, you must follow the following simple instructions:

1. remove the structure from the cover and carefully unfold;
2. open the neck of the bag and shake so that air penetrates into it;
3. Continue to manipulate until the sofa is fully inflated;
4. after the sofa is completely filled with air, it is necessary to tighten the neck as tight as possible; for this, it should be wrapped several times with a hammock cloth around the axis;
5. when the sofa becomes elastic and round, fasten the puffs on the sides of the neck;
6. turn the sofa over so that it turns out to be a large part on the ground - the product is ready for use.

Inflatable sofas do not require special care. To maintain the hygiene of the product, it is enough to simply wipe it with a damp cloth, and if severe impurities appear, remove them with a soapy solution. But from the use of abrasive, caustic acid-base cleaning compounds, as well as brushes, it is better to refuse. The cleaned and dried sofa is stored in a special cover.

If the inflatable sofa turned out to be damaged, then for a start you should find a puncture site, it is often quite difficult. The foam will help in this - you just need to soap the surface, bubbles will immediately appear at the puncture site. After locating the damaged area, stick a special patch - in any store selling inflatable products, you can buy repair kits for each type of material. The patch must be treated with universal superglue and pressed tightly to the puncture site, then left for the time indicated on the package with glue.

In case of damage to the sofa in the places of gluing and seams, you can deal with the problem only in a specialized service center.

When using inflatable furniture, the following precautions should be observed:

• under the influence of high temperatures, polymeric materials lose their density, so it is better to put such furniture as far away as possible from radiators, fireplaces and other sources of heat;
• for pumping up the sofa it is undesirable to use powerful pumps, for example, automobile ones - they give too high pressure, which is not intended for PVC products;
• pets should not be allowed on inflatable furniture - dogs and cats have sharp claws that can leave holes on the surface.

Analyzing the reviews left by users about inflatable sofas, we can say that they are mostly positive. This is a practical and comfortable furniture, which is presented on the market with a wide variety of very different dimensions and shapes. That is why everyone can choose a product that meets the tasks assigned to it. If we talk about specific manufacturers, then the goods Intex and Bestway do not cause any complaints - their products have long been known on the market for inflatable products and have established themselves as high-quality, convenient and durable.

The situation with sofas is quite different. An active advertising campaign caused a sharp surge in demand for these products. The simplicity of the inflation mechanism without the use of pumps aroused interest in the product, but user reviews were the most controversial. Half of the buyers agree that this is a comfortable sofa that can be brought into functional condition in just a few minutes without much effort. Others claim that the sofa cannot be inflated completely.

The domestic market is mostly filled with Chinese-made products, which is characterized by the following features:

• made of low quality materials;
• often has an unpleasant odor;
• It is sewn with thin threads that either tear the material or tear themselves.

An overview of the inflatable sofa-transformer see below.