LOW-END FURNITURE

HIGH-QUALITY FURNITURE

CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS

• ·          Uses soft woods like pine which contain a lot of “knots”, often this can lead to warping & splitting
• ·          May also use press board (particle board) as a major interior component, though this doesn’t warp, it will absorb moisture, grow mold, and is made with adhesives that can cause problems to those sensitive.
• ·          The softer grain/press board also doesn’t hold, nails and staples as well—resulting in a less durable product that will probably only last 1-3 years before falling apart.

• ·          Quality furniture is manufactured using dense grain hardwoods, like maple, oak, hackberry or alder. These hardwoods are kiln dried, making them less prone to warping & splitting
• ·          When manufactured wood products are used they must consist of seven-ply furniture grade hardwood plywood
• ·          These wood/wood products have superior holding properties for the fasteners used in modern furniture construction, maximizing durability.

CONSTRUCTION METHODS

• ·          Low-end construction techniques leave out corner blocks, or utilize inferior plastic blocking, resulting in frames that eventually break down, come loose, and ultimately fall apart.

• ·          Quality construction has all frame stress joints generously glued blocked & double doweled to securely anchor the frames rigidity. Then all blocking is permanently secured with screws, this technique insures that corners won’t weaken, work loose or sway.

FOAM / POLYURETHANE

• ·          Cheaper foams with low density & resilience result in rapid seat “pancaking” or flattening.
• ·          Foam packing is often not uniform—resulting in a “bumpy” feel and appearance along with pulling of the cushions.
• ·          Less padding is used around the wood frame and structural parts causing stress, and wear marks along the frame structure on the final exterior fabric.

• ·          High quality cushions use a high density polyurethane with high compression ratios when compared to foam.
• ·          Various densities of this high density polyurethane material are utilized in different areas to improve tailoring and comfort, reducing seat cushion “pancaking” and increasing the appearance, durability and life span of the piece.

BATTING

• ·          Cotton is often used which can cause allergy problems, and will very quickly mat-down and become lumpy — resulting in a very sloppy look in a short period of time.

• ·          Polyester is used in the interior for its hypoallergenic properties and uniformity, as well as for its flame-retardant qualities.

SPRING DESIGN & SUPPORT SYSTEMS

• ·          Whether Sinuous springs (no-sag) or coil base springs the systems used are light gauge steel, and are placed further apart to cut costs. They are generally the less expensive “no-sag” springs as opposed to hand tied coils. Staples as well—resulting in a less durable product that will probably only last 1-3 years before falling apart.

• ·          High-end furniture use an eight-way, hand tied coil base spring, secured with rust resistant steel bands under each coil to eliminate sagging and squeaking, considered the mark of quality for decades.
• ·          In modern shallow seat-depth designs, the “no-sag” spring systems are used - BUT WITH ONE BIG DIFFERENCE. High density, tempered steel is used & more springs are placed closer together to give additions structural support.

MOTION FURNITURE MECHANISMS

• ·          Low-end pieces use light gauge steel, conventional bushings and a standard ottoman design, that are prone to breakage if force is applied to them when fully reclined.
• ·          Low-end motion furniture does not recline as fully, losses its lower back support qualities when fully reclined, and has handle operating mechanisms that are often difficult to engage.

• ·          High-end motion furniture uses heavy gauge steel parts, longlife bushings like Delrin, at critical pivot joints, and “breakaway” ottoman designs. This provides trouble-free use and long life… lasting up to 3 times longer that conventional bushings.
• ·          “Breakaway” ottoman designs close easily if pressure is applied when in full recline position.
• ·          Mechanisms recline more fully, provide lower back support when fully reclined, and recline with 1-touch “hand activation".