What Are Sofa Frames Usually Made Of?

Construction

• The most common material for sofa-frame construction is wood, but the type of wood makes a difference in overall quality and structural integrity. For example, low-quality sofa frames are often made from particleboard, whereas a high-quality sofa will have a frame made from kiln-dried hardwood. Kiln-dried frames are the best, as kiln drying removes any moisture present in the wood, resulting in a more stable, longer-lasting and higher-quality frame.

Determining the Frame Construction Type

• One of the easiest ways to determine the type of frame used, aside from asking the salesperson, is to simply lift up one end of the sofa. A heavier sofa is often indicative of a high-quality kiln-dried hardwood frame. Lighter sofas easily lifted can indicate a lower-quality frame, such as one made from a soft pine or particleboard.

Cost Comparison

• A good indication of the difference in frame (as well as fabric, coils and cushion fill) is the price. A more expensive sofa often indicates that higher-quality products were used in the making of the couch. For example, a $500 sofa may be made using a soft-pine frame or a particleboard frame, low-quality foam and batting inside the cushions, and low-quality upholstery fabric. Meanwhile, a sofa in a similar style can cost upwards of $2,500 but will be made with a higher-quality kiln-dried frame, proper springs, high-quality foam cushions and high-quality (often customizable) upholstery.

Alternate Frame Materials

• It should be noted that sofa frames are not always made from wood. In fact, sofa frames can also be made from plastic or metal, though these are less common. Furthermore, these frames have just as many variables as their more common wood-frame counterparts. Plastic frames and metal frames can either be low quality and flimsy, or just as high quality as a kiln-dried wood frame. Therefore, it is important to always thoroughly research a sofa before purchasing.