Buying new cheaper sofa vs better quality used sofa.
James Jones
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
Featured Answer
Sort by:Oldest
Comments (9)
shirlpp
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoRelated Discussions
Affordable, High Quality Leather Sofa & Where To Buy
Comments (15)Furniture manufacturers are in business to make money, just like everyone else. Your local furniture store buys from the manufacturer through the manufacturers sales representative. This representative also earns a percentage of all sales in their territory. So it should be common knowledge if you can purchase directly from the manufacturer you can avoid the retail store markup and also the representative take from each sale. I suggest that to partial38, the features your looking for may not get you the best deal, or fall with in your budget. A high quality frame? What this is, is not a pine plywood frame stapled together. Solid hardwood 4/4, 5/4 is better or hardwood wood plywood thats same thickness, minimum of 12 plys. This frame should be double-doweled and glued. Now the seat springs is where most everyone makes the mistake that it has to be coil springs that are 8-way hand tied. And thats simply not true. A no-sag sinuous wire spring; 8 gauge spring securely fastened to a hardwood frame using the clips that are required by the spring manufacturer, and that are engineered to the correct length and stretched accordingly to the spring manufacturers requirement will result in a seat suspension that will last a lifetime and have the same ride/push-back as the best 8-way handtied coil springs. The only time that a 8-way handtied coil springs suspension is better is when it is a spring edge with the correct rail heights all the way around the frame. At this time I dont know of very few manufacturers building their 8-way handtied coil springs this way, if so the costs for a leather sofa will be upwards of 5000.00 Its just too labor intensive and takes highly skilled worker to build. Truly the only type of seat cushion core that will last for 20 years+ is a 100% natural latex. A true 2.0+ pound density high-resilent foam core will normally last 5+ years. But all will loose some shape because of the wrap around the cushion core is of a softer material: polyester fiber or down blend or a thin foam wrap of same density foam which last better that the first 2 , and all manufacturers dont consider this softening of the softer wrap a defect in any way, but just normal wear. Back cushions are usually of a the same: polyester fiber or down blend and will not last or hold its shape after considerable use. But usually thats a fix the owner or upholstery shop can do to replace this filling to be like new again with minimal costs. If anyone does a search of my name in this forums will realize I have been preaching this for many years. My 38+ years of managing upholstery product design and development for 20+ manufacturers and many years working in re-upholsery. I have always said that your local re-upholstery shop that has been in business for 20+ years with the same owner is the best resource for understanding what it takes to makes a quality sofa. Because they have to repair or junk the ones that arent worth re-upholstering....See MoreCameron Sofa from Crate & Barrel vs. Horizon Sofa at Rowe
Comments (2)I also went through something similar but after reading the reviews here on Rowe and on Lee, I decided to go with a true Lee sofa (that has the 8 way hand tied springs). I went through NC and got a price that is even cheaper than the Cameron sofa (Grade H fabric). Not sure how long you're planning to keep your furniture, but I had a cheap sofa before and I regretted it. Now that I am getting my LR re-done, I decided that I wanted better quality furniture. I picked very neutral fabric b/c i want to make sure that it doesn't go out of style....See MoreIs it crazy to buy Ikea sofa if you can afford "better'?
Comments (32)It was too late to read this thread. The photo is from a high-ended IKEA leather sofa we received 3 months ago. The manufacturer dared to use a particleboard to suspend the plywood beam with very poor building quality. There have occurred cracks and holes at the particleboard part when assembling it, and the manufacturer just glued the big damage instead of replacing a new part. The manufactured defect point on the particleboard with glue should be the starting point of all these cracks. It is clearly IKEA uses the manufacturer without qualified engineers. Cause sofa makers also wrongly put the strengthening triangle part on the beam instead of putting it under the beam to support it, building a rigid constrained self-destroyed structure that will bring a significant stress concentration and cause a serious structure damage once the system is failed. We are IKEA's long-term clients in Australia, and we're clearly aware IKEA has changed it internal policy trying to deny its warranty these days globally. (Ikea’s 25-year kitchen warranty branded ‘worthless’ after doors develop fault | Money | The Guardian) We have got another set of sofas bought at Melbourne's Furniture Galore with solid wood frame. Its price was just 3/4 of the IKEA one and it lasted for 14 years still with perfect conditions. However, the IKEA assessor and customer service manager tried to be blind on the defect of its manufacturer. Even with the obvious defect of their manufacturer, they still chose to blame it was their clients’ fault so as to avoid its warranty at all. Just see how it is going on. We have more photos to show people the poor building quality of the so-called high-ended IKEA sofa....See MoreSlight cheaper, better specs and unknown brand vs better brand?
Comments (13)Not sure there that there are many windows that id actually rate below crestline. U value is very important, but so is how they get it. To hit that .27, my guess is that they are using some glass made more for a warm climate, with a very low shgc(also very dark) and an inside coat of low e that will have reduced resistance to condensation. This is not what u want. The simonton and softlite are much better options...See MoreMomof5x
2 years agolast modified: 2 years agoci_lantro
2 years agoHelen
2 years agoElaine Doremus Resumes Written
2 years agoPatricia Colwell Consulting
last yearlilhoffy99
last yeartfitz1006
last year
Related Stories
FURNITUREHow to Buy a Quality Sofa That Will Last
Learn about foam versus feathers, seat depth, springs, fabric and more for a couch that will work for years to come
Full StoryFURNITUREYour Essential Sofa Buying Guide
Here’s what to consider when looking for a quality sofa that will last
Full StoryFURNITURESofa Secrets: How to Choose the Perfect Sleeper Sofa
Learn about the different types of sleepers and what to consider when choosing one for your home
Full StoryFURNITURESofa Secrets: How to Choose the Right Sofa Back
Discover the best back height, cushion style and fill for your needs
Full StoryMORE ROOMSCould Your Living Room Be Better Without a Sofa?
12 ways to turn couch space into seating that's much more inviting
Full StoryFURNITUREWhy It's OK to Hate Your New Custom Sofa
It takes time to get used to bold new furniture, but dry your tears — the shock can be good for you. Here's what to expect
Full StoryFURNITURE5 Daring Sofa Colors to Make Your Living Room Come to Life
Get expert tips on how to use bold furniture pieces to create a contemporary and refined living space
Full StoryFURNITUREWhen to Choose a Chaise Over a Sofa
See 9 instances when a chaise might be a better option than a sofa
Full StoryFURNITUREGuest Picks: 20 Sofas for Every Budget and Space
From tufted to slipcovered, get cozy with these diverse seating options
Full StoryFURNITUREDecorating With Antiques: Sit Pretty on Settees and Sofas
Get character and comfort when you bring home an antique seat — you can even reupholster it to perfectly fit your style
Full Story
elcieg