I always tell my clients that buying upholstery is like buying a car: as good looking as the piece might be, always check under the hood! We are lucky that Canada has such a great upholstery industry, but with so many pieces being imported from countries that don’t necessarily adhere to the high standards we have at home, it’s important to do your search with this handy checklist in hand.

1. Frame

The frame of your new piece is like a human skeleton. The stronger it is, the longer its life will ultimately be. Most reputable upholstery manufacturers offer anywhere between a 20-year warranty to a life warranty on the frame. So, make sure to ask before you buy!

A good quality piece should have a frame that is:

• Solid hardwood (ie. maple)
• Kiln dried: This additional drying process will prevent warping and sagging of the frame as well as prolong its life.
• Joints should be dowelled, screwed and glued together.

2. Type of construction

North America is a melting pot of many different old world techniques when it comes to the type of construction upholsterers use. However, today, most will agree that “Web & Coil” will get you the most bang for your buck.

Web & Coil is a technique by which coils are nestled between jute webbing to give two added layers of support and protection, in the overall construction. Be sure to ask for it by name!

3. Springs

If the frame can be equated to the skeleton of the human body, the springs can be thought of as the joints. A good spring system will add comfort to an upholstered piece while maintaining its form and lifespan. Having said that, it is important to inquire about the type of spring system. There are two main types of springs: coils and “S” springs.

A well manufactured upholstery piece should have coils in the seats and “S” springs in the back, as “S” springs will bend and warp under weight and are not suited for seat support.

4. Cushions

Now we come to the comfort factor. Comfort is subjective, but if you know the feel you’re looking for, take the time to inquire about the cushion components. No matter how firm or soft you’re looking to go, if the cushion contains foam, it should have a density of 2-2.2lbs. Yes, that seems extremely specific, but it is a high quality industry standard.

The foam should also be wrapped in a Dakron polyester layer. The Dakron protects the foam from the elements and prevents the foam from disintegrating faster. For those more sensitive tushies among us, a down wrap is the best way to add a high quality softness to your upholstered seats.

Most down wraps are a combination down/feather fill in order to keep costs down, as 100% down can be quite costly. Be sure to ask if the down wrap is encased in a “cotton ticking”. This will prevent those annoying feather pokes from protruding through your upholstered piece.

5. Fabric

Now to the fun part: the look! But, alas, the fabric is only partially about the style you’re going for, it’s very much about the quality and weight of the fabric. As fabric has many applications (whether it be clothing, upholstery, window treatments, etc.), the defining factor as to whether or not the fabric is appropriate to upholster with is determined by its “rub count”. The rub count is a mechanical test done on fabric to test how many “rubs” can pass on a piece of fabric before it starts to show wear.

A good residential grade upholstery should have a minimum 15,000 rubs, and can go as high as 250,000, but keep in mind the higher the count, the harsher the feel of the fabric. So comfort is definitely a factor here. My recommendation is to aim for a fabric with a count of around 25,000 – 45,000 for a durable fabric that still feels great!

Purchasing a well designed piece of upholstery can be a big investment, but with these rules in hand, it’ll make the process much easier, leaving more time to enjoy your new upholstered piece for many years to come.

Courtesy Shai DeLuca-Tamasi

www.shaideluca.com

@shaideluca