Design diaries

Have you noticed a wide range of prices when shopping for sofas and wondered why? Sometimes it’s the name of the brand but mostly it’s because of construction. Sofa construction can seem complicated, but it really just comes down to frame, suspension, cushioning, upholstery, and legs. Here is an overview of frames.

Frames can be made from engineered woods, soft woods, kiln dried wood, or solid hardwood. Kiln dried hardwood is thought to be the gold standard. By drying the wood in an oven, it removes 85-95% moisture, resulting in wood that is resistant to warping and bowing. Another benefit of kiln drying is killing off insects that may be living in the wood. That being said, several manufacturers use high quality engineered hardwood as a lower cost alternative to kiln dried hardwood. Furniture using particle board costs less, are less durable, and have a shorter lifespan.

Another important part of the frame is construction. Furniture consists of wood pieces that are joined together and the type of joint used affects the sturdiness. There are several types of joint construction, including mortise & tenon, dovetail, dowels, corner block reinforced, screws, staples, and glue. The strongest method is dovetail and mortise & tenon which have been around for thousands of years. Both methods join 2 pieces of wood at 90 degrees. A dovetail joint looks like 2 puzzle pieces fitted together. A mortise & tenon joint is when one piece of wood has a hole and the other piece of wood fits perfectly into it (peg in a hole). The type of joint is an important feature of the frame especially when considering the stress furniture endures (think kids jumping on a sofa!).

So, when shopping for a sofa, consider use and how long you want it to last. A sturdier frame, although more expensive, will stand up better over time.