How to determine the Quality of Furniture

Upholstery | Wood/Case Goods

One of the major obstacles facing the furniture consumer is the ability to judge quality. Quality is a relative word in the furniture industry. Most furniture manufacturers set a goal to produce quality products. While items may be made to the best specifications of a particular manufacturer, the important question for the individual is what level of quality is best for you. As you visit different furniture stores you will no doubt see sofas ranging in price from $399 to $2,599. The balance of this page is to help you understand why there is such a difference and to help you select the quality that is best for you.

Upholstery
Upholstered items are among the hardest purchase to make because all of the important components are hidden. All sofas start out with the same basic structural components. It is the quality and how these components are put together that can make a difference in the appearance, comfort and performance. Your salesperson should be able to explain the construction of any of the sofas in their showroom.

Frames
A good quality frame provides the structural support and starts with kiln dried hardwood that is double doweled, screwed, glued and has corner blocks. Sturdy legs are an integral part of the frame. High quality plywood is used to provide shaping in non-structural areas. A good test of the frame is to grab and wiggle the arms of a sofa. Do they feel sturdy? Another test is to lift one end of a sofa; the weight will tell you a lot about the frame of a sofa. The frame should feel rigid.

Spring System
The most common type of springs are called sinuous wire, zig-zag, or no sag springs. These would be the type of springs that are used in automobile seats. These type of springs run from the back of the sofa to the front and are attached to the frame. Correctly installed, these type of springs are very durable and can provide years of comfort. On less expensive sofas, the way these springs are attached can result in squeaks and the distance between each row can result in sagging. In higher quality sofas, coil springs that are tied off eight ways "Eight Way Hand Tied" are utilized. This type of system offers the user a more uniform and firmer seat. Eight way hand tying is a labor intensive process, and as a result is usually found on more expensive sofas. Drop in units, which are pre-made attached coil springs, can be quickly attached to a sofa frame. Drop in units offer the features of eight way hand tied at a more reasonable price.

Cushions
The correct cushions can make or break the comfort of any sofa. The cushions today are made from polyurethane foam with a density of 1.8 pounds per cubit foot. Most are wrapped with Dacron to provide proper fit. The more expensive cushions are wrapped in Dacron and then encased in a ticking material that holds the Dacron in place. More expensive sofas offer high resiliency foam cushions, which provide for a more comfortable seat.

Tailoring
This is one area that will vary widely among manufacturers. The more expensive sofas will offer better fabric completion. This allows for better pattern matching down the front and sides of the sofa. This is obviously more important with plaids, stripes, and other patterned fabrics. Better quality sofas will have more padding between the frame and the fabric, more stitches per inch on all seams, and skirts that are lined. Less expensive sofas are assembled on a production line type system. More expensive sofas are upholstered by skilled technicians. Proper tailoring not only effects how a sofa looks but can also affect the overall performance of the fabric.

Fabric
The fabric can have a major impact on the price of a sofa. Each fabric is graded as to the cost of using that fabric on a particular frame. The grade of the fabric has more to do with the cost of the fabric than the overall durability. Certain fabrics with a pattern will require more fabric to upholster a sofa than others and these fabrics will be assigned a higher price grade. Most fabrics are assigned a duty rating by the textile manufacturer that can be helpful in determining the right fabric for your use. Many of the synthetic fabrics have proved to be very durable for wear and stain resistance. Olefin, Nylon, Acrylic and Polyester are some of the better synthetic fabrics. Look for the Upholstered Furniture Action Council (UFAC) tag that will let you know that a particular fabric meets the flammability standard.

Comfort
The comfort level of an upholstered piece is different for every individual, depending on the dimensions of the piece, and the weight and physical dimensions of the individual. The pitch of the back, the arm height, and the cushions will determine if a piece of furniture is comfortable for an individual. Make sure that you sit on each piece for 10-15 minutes. For optimal comfort your hips should touch the back of the sofa, your back should be supported and the angle of the back should feel comfortable. Your knees should be slightly higher than your bottom.

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Wood /Case Goods
Wood furniture is commonly referred to as "Case goods". Case goods would include dressers, chests, nightstands, headboards, armoires, tables, chairs, chinas, entertainment centers, coffee tables, end tables, desks, bookcases, along with almost anything else that is made of wood. In the construction of case goods there is an inherent tradeoff between material and construction quality and price. Again each manufacturer does their best to incorporate quality at all price levels. The common materials used to build case goods are solid wood, veneers, high-pressure laminates or some combination of the three.

Veneering
In today's market, with the scarcity of quality hardwood, many manufacturers are using wood veneers for the top, sides and fronts of certain pieces. In the past veneers were associated with lower quality promotional furniture. The veneers that are used today consist of a thin layer of wood attached to an underlying wood, such as plywood or particleboard. With the processes and glues that are used today the veneer on better quality furniture will not separate itself from the backing. Veneer is more stable and has more strength than solid wood. Veneering also allows the use of rare and expensive woods. Photo finish or printed finish is found on less expensive promotional pieces. On better quality pieces, for example on a dresser, the veneered boards are used on the larger areas such as tops and sides. The front of the case and the drawers should be made of solid wood.

Solid Wood
Solid wood furniture is made of matched glued boards. All solid wood should be kiln dried to reduce the moisture content. There may be a potential on the part of some manufacturers to rush the drying process and use wood before it is properly dried. The use of green wood can result in warping and checking (cracking), which cannot be repaired. The manufacturers of better quality are more selective in the boards that are used in the construction of their furniture. Items from these companies will usually include the use of wider better-looking boards that provide for a more uniform appearance. The use of smaller (scrap) boards is usually an indication of a less expensive piece.

Drawers
The drawer is an excellent indicator of the quality of a dresser, chest, and nightstand. If you remove the drawer it should:

• feel substantial
• slide easily
• fit evenly and snug
• have a solid wood bottom & sides
• have dove tailed joints
• have dust proofing between drawers
• Drawers that are stapled or nailed are usually found on lower quality items.

Finish
Finish should be uniform in color and smooth. Most vendors apply a lacquer finish that is heat resistant and resistant to spills from water and alcohol. Better quality furniture will have a clear finish that allows you to see the grain of the wood. Solid stains are used to cover poor quality wood. Some companies have developed more durable catalyst finishes for use on their kitchen and dining room tables.

Construction
Most case goods are built using floating construction. This allows for the expansions and contractions inherent in wood. A quality piece should have a solid frame and you should feel little racking when you pick up one end. The drawers should operate smoothly and fit properly. All joints and mitered corners should be tight with no gaps. The back and top should be tightly secured and the back should have no bulges.

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