Spring systems and arhaus, crate&barrel, z gallerie sectional

9 years ago

Hi,
Is helical coil springs the same as sinuous springs? I am currently looking into purchasing a sectional--- my first non- craigslist purchase--- and I want to make the right decision in getting something that will last at least 10 years. I have two dogs, a 6'5 300lb husband, and soon to be starting a family. I am looking for a sectional with deep seats and have my eye on the crate & barrel "lounge" sofa, the z gallerie "ventura" sofa, and finally at the very top of my budget the Arhaus leeward sectional. My favorite look is the z gallerie sofa, but I am concerned as I have read some very bad reviews of the quality of the furniture. I am now looking more towards the Arhaus leeward, but want to make sure I am spending more for better quality instead of purchasing the crate and barrel lounge. I have included a description of the Arhaus sectional in the bottom and am hoping I can get some input from people who have couches from these places or know more about spring systems. Thanks in advance for any help or input.

This Leeward Sectional is expertly fitted in soft, neutral and durable Vernon Mink fabric.
Customize with 500 designer-inspired fabrics and 50 leathers for a slight increase in price.
Available in 15 leg finishes for the same price as stock, including: Black, Cognac, Drift, Espresso, Flannel, Fossil, Heather, Hickory, Pecan, Shale, Sierra, Slate, Toffee, Vintage and Wenge.
Mortise and tenon assembly.
Built from kiln-dried, cross-directional hardwood laminate for lasting strength and stability, so it will not change shape due to changes in temperature or humidity.
Strong, durable and earth friendly, the frame is constructed entirely from wood that has been certified by the Sustainable Forest Initiative.
Cushions are sustained by a steel suspension system secured with heavy-duty 11-gauge helical coil springs that are made of 95 percent recycled steel and aluminum.
The seat cushions feature a 2.0 density foam core topped with an eco-friendly foam wrap consisting of more than 20 percent plant-based material and are encased in layers of soft
Dacron plus an abundance of fibers, feathers and down to deliver an irresistibly soft and cozy feel.
The entire insert is enfolded in sumptuous down/fiber blend that is channel stitched into a down-proof ticking to create that irresistible "sink into" feel.

Comments (4)

SirJohn
9 years ago
A helical spring is not a sinuous spring, but a coil style spring. These can be implemented in several different ways so its hard to tell by the description what the exact construction may be. Hardwood laminate is another name for plywood. Overall, this seems to be a fairly typical mid level construction and looking at the prices on the Arhaus site, they are a bit high for the quality. Before settling on this, get out of the chain stores and get into some local independent dealers. You tend to get a wider selection of brands and don't have the mystery of who is actually making the furniture for the chain stores own branding.
freethinker99
9 years ago
The Leeward style made by Arhaus has a plywood frame and what sounds to me like a drop in coil spring unit. This is a coil unit made outside the furniture, not built in and then screwed into place. It can be 8 way tied or not. A true 8 way tied is better as it is built into the frame and and adds to the torsional strength of the sofa. Many of their sofas are made by a company in North Carolina called Thomas Bain of Conover, NC which makes a pretty nice product.

The Crate and Barrel Lounge sofa has what is called a Flexolator spring and a plywood frame which is essentially a rectangular wire grid attached to the frame with little wire springs. I think this sofa is made by McCreary Modern of Newton, NC.

The Z Gallerie sofa has what I think is a plywood frame with Sinuous Springs and I am not sure who makes this.

A solid 5/4 hardwood frame is better as far as the spring construction I suggest you research various springs constructions your self including true 8 way hand tied and then draw your own conclusions.

I would think the cushions, and tailoring on all are pretty good.
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Jan Moyer you are right on the money. Every single manufacturer knows how to build an upholstered piece the right way, it's not a secret and it's not rocket science. However this is a price-driven industry and the consumer demands lower prices, so most these companies respond accordingly. There are only two ways to lower the cost of the build 1) Reduce you labor costs 2) Reduce your material costs. You take it out of the craftsmanship or the materials. A manufacturer will decide what level they want to produce at - and then target the build to that price point. This is very much a time-business as well, so they are always looking for ways to make it faster to save on labor cost to meet target goals. The result is shortcuts and elimination of time-honored techniques and materials. How much can they eliminate in the cost to build is a meeting they have in staff every single week? Dealers demand it because they have the pressure from the retail consumer. However, everything they reduce - takes away from the quality of the build in one form or another. At some point down the line, they're are producing junk that goes to the landfill rather quickly. Companies that are publicly held and traded on the stock market are under enormous pressure to maximize profits for stockholders. Those that are privately held much less so, depending on what the owner wants to do. Best example I know of this is Hancock and Moore, which was started by Jack Glasheen and Jimmy Moore when they were fed up with the cutbacks at Classic Leather in the early 1980's and decided to go out together and build a new company that doesn't take shortcuts. I know both of them quite well personally and they have never wavered in the quest to build the best in the industry and also take care of any issues that may pop up from time to time. They very soon took over from Classic Leather as the # 1 builder in the USA. Jack and Jimmy retired a few years ago and sold the company, but not just to anyone. There were many who wanted to buy it, but they would only sell to someone who has the same beliefs and would continue the legacy of the build. That was Alex Shuford at Century, who runs his companies the same way. That's why H&M is now a part of Rock House Brands, the parent holding company. I don't carry poor or mediocre brands in my store. I know what makes a good piece of furniture in the 34th year of doing this and I build relationships with both my suppliers and customers, not just "make sales". I know that cheap sofas go to the landfill quickly, good ones actually cost less over time as they are serviceable for many years. It's my job to show clients what makes a good piece of furniture and what they are getting for their money so they can make an informed decision. Knowledge is Power. Empower the consumer through education, which is also why I participate in forums like this and run one myself. How strongly do I believe in that? I even have a cut-away of a Hancock and Moore chair in my store that I had custom made to show those interested how its made. Once you know the right way to do it, it's easy to spot the poorly made stuff. For the most part "you get what you pay for" in this industry. - Duane Collie
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RyanJa
9 years ago
Both Sir John and Freethinker99 have given excellent analyses on the various options available.

On the other hand consumers must constantly balance questions of quality vs. cost.

There is no doubt that 8 way hand tied coils and 5/4" solid wood frames are superior to drop-in coils (or no-sag) springs and plywood frames.

On the other hand a well-built plywood frame sofa with an inexpensive no-sag spring system, costing many hundreds of dollars less, can still be expected to last at least 10 years.

Cushions and fabric are far more likely to wear out long before the frame and springs.

On sofas retailing for under $1500 by far the most popular type of cushion construction is a 1.8 density HR (High Resilience) polyurethane foam with a polyester fiber wrapping.

This type of cushion construction will typically hold up for only 3-5 years before beginning to lose its shape and resilience.

If you are looking for a sofa to hold up for 10 years you will need to upgrade your cushions. The two most popular upgrade options include spring-down or high density foam cushions.

Spring-down cushions are constructed using a coil spring system inside which is surrounded by foam and typically topped with a down/feather/fiber blend.

Another popular cushion upgrade option is one using a high density foam. The higher the cushion density, the more foam is used per cubic inch and the greater the cushion durability.

Although a 2.0 density HR (High Resilience) foam is a definite improvement over the standard 1.8 density, I would recommend a 2.2 density or higher if you want your cushions to last 10 years.

Fabric durability is the other primary concern for a sofa lasting 10 years.

Although there are literally hundreds of variations that can affect a specific fabric's durability, in general look for thicker, heavier fabrics that are tightly woven.

Keep in mind that a fabric's cleanability may also be a factor as a "dirty" or badly stained couch is unappetizing no matter how long you have owned it.
freethinker99
9 years ago
Liv did you pick one of these sets?

Spring systems and arhaus, crate&barrel, z gallerie sectional

Comments (4)

SirJohn

freethinker99

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freethinker99

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