Traditional Sofa Frames

Sofa Frame Materials

• Kiln-dried hardwood is the preferred material for sofa frames. Drying green wood in huge kilns to remove 90 to 95 percent of the moisture makes wood that is strong and stable. Other frames use engineered wood, either plywood or particleboard. Multi-layered plywood (11 to 13 layers are optimum) is very strong and provides good support and durability. Many layers of wood glued together under high pressure create a strong product that will not be subject to shrinking, warping or cracking. Particleboard consists of wood chips and fibers bonded with glue. It is not as strong as hardwood or plywood and is unreliable for frame construction. Oak, maple, birch, beech, ash and alder are commonly used hardwoods for kiln-dried sofa frames while pine and other softwoods are not strong and durable for use in frame construction.

Types of Construction

• Traditional sofa frames use dowels, glue and screws to assemble interlocking joints in a frame with dependable strength. Wooden blocks to add reinforcement to corner joints and extra center legs to provide back-up support for longer seating spans are high-quality frame indicators. Staples and nails are not appropriate for reliable strength and durability and may cause fabric damage.

Traditional Sofa Frame Styles

• Sofa styles always begin with an upholstery frame on which to build the upholstery. Examples of traditional designs include the Chesterfield, which features a high, rolled and tufted back and often a tufted seat; the Lawson, a low-backed design with a squared-away look and straight or rolled arms lower than the back; the Tuxedo, which has arms the same height as the back for a clean, contemporary look; the Camelback, a sofa with a serpentine back and high rolled arms; and the Duncan Phyfe, a design featuring the exposed wood of the frame on the straight back ending in curves, lower front edge of the seat, curved sleigh arms and legs. A well-crafted frame is essential to these and other successful sofa designs.

Comfort and Durability

• A traditional, kiln-dried hardwood sofa frame is a good investment. With occasional re-upholstering, it will last for generations of use. Comfort is always a prime factor in the selection of a sofa, and comfort will last when a quality frame supports the upholstery. Soft upholstery elements are supported by the frame, and, if the frame warps, cracks or sags, comfort will be compromised.