Uh-Oh! Upholstery

A well-constructed upholstery frame will be made of hardwood such as ash or birch. Hardwoods are dense, thereby minimizing warpage. Joints will be glued, screwed and doweled.

All of this construction is hidden behind the filling and fabric; you will have to trust that the company and sales person you are dealing with are selling you quality goods. But don't be afraid to ask questions.

The springs will be either coil or zigzag. Better quality furniture will have coil springs, which are similar to the springs in your bedding. Each coil is hand -tied, usually eight ways, then individually wrapped in cloth. The springs should be close enough to prevent sagging, yet not so close that they rub against each other. Here again, you'll have to trust the person from whom you're buying the piece because all of this is "behind the 'seen'."

The filling is next. The most luxurious is down. It is also the most expensive. You'll feel like you're sitting on a cloud with down filling--but you will have to keep plumping the cushions after each sitting.

Polyurethane is the most popular filling used today. If it is wrapped in dacron (called polydacron), then it is even better. The dacron wrapping will help keep the fabric in place. I'm sure you've seen some sofas where the fabric on the cushion has scooted its way up on the pillow and the seams are no longer in the right place. That was common with rubber filling (not used much anymore) and with the original polyurethane before it was encased in dacron.

If the cushions have zippers, you do not have to trust anyone on this. Just zip open and see for yourself.

Finally, you have the outside covering. It can be vinyl, leather or fabric. Vinyl is usually the least expensive, is quite durable and cleans easily. Since it is not porous it tends to be cold in winter and hot in summer. Leather can be very expensive depending on the quality of the hide.

In spite of it's expense, or maybe because of it, leather is a very popular covering. It is luxurious to the touch, has great durability and usually it will adjust to your body temperature quite rapidly.

Fabric offers the greatest variety. Initially you may be drawn to the color and pattern that is most appealing. Then you need to check the feel of the fabric. Is it comfortable against your skin? Durability is the next important subject. Quality fabric should be tightly woven. If the fabric has a protective chemical applied to it, all the better. If not, your salesperson will be able to offer a topical treatment that will help prevent soil. These treatments are inexpensive are very good and usually guaranteed against stains for about three years.

When choosing fabrics, remember that a good quality material will retain its fresh, new appearance for a longer time. Don't always choose the least expensive grade of fabric; this is one place you usually get what you pay for.

Quality name-brand furniture is always a safe choice, but there are many other manufacturers that don't have a familiar name, yet offer good quality products.