Sofa Materials Guide
Sofas are made from several materials that work together to determine how they feel, support your weight and hold up over time.
In this guide, we explain the key materials used across upholstery, cushions, suspension and frame, the differences between common material types, what we use in our sofas and the specifications we consider when selecting them.
Sofa Upholstery
Fabrics
Fabrics differ by their composition, which affects how they feel and perform. Common materials include polyester, which is durable and easy to maintain; cotton, which feels soft and natural; linen, which has a more textured and crisp feel; and viscose, which tends to feel smoother and softer.
Beyond composition, fabrics can also be made differently for different uses. For example, some fabrics are pre-shrunk so their covers can be machine washed, tightly woven to better resist scratching from pets, or made with more pronounced textures such as bouclé.
How We Select Our Fabrics
One of the key specifications we consider when selecting sofa fabrics is the Martindale rub count, measured using the Martindale abrasion test. It measures how well a fabric withstands repeated rubbing before showing significant wear.
During the test, the fabric is repeatedly rubbed under controlled conditions. The Martindale rub count represents the number of rubbing cycles the fabric can withstand. Generally, the higher the number, the greater its resistance to abrasion.
Leathers
Leather can vary considerably in appearance even when they are made from the same type of hide. Some leathers have a more pronounced natural grain, while others are processed to create a finer, smoother and more uniform surface.
The finish also affects how the leather looks. A matte finish reflects less light and has a more subdued appearance, while finishes with greater sheen appear smoother and more reflective. Some leather finishes also use waxes or other surface treatments to create additional depth and sheen.
How We Select The Leather Type
A hide has different fibre structures through its depth. The grain layer near the surface has denser fibres, while the fibres become progressively looser deeper into the corium. In general, denser fibre structures provide better durability.
Full-grain leather retains the natural grain surface and dense grain layer. It is less common and more expensive because cleaner hides with fewer scars and blemishes are typically selected. Top-grain leather also uses the dense grain layer, but the surface is corrected for a smoother, more consistent appearance. Both offer very good durability.
Split leather comes from the looser corium layer and is less durable. Bonded leather is made from leather fibres or offcuts bonded with other materials rather than from an intact hide.
How We Select the Hide Source
Sofa leather is commonly made with cattle or water buffalo hides. Water buffalo hides are more commonly sourced from South and Southeast Asia, while cattle hides are sourced more widely across Europe, the Americas and Asia.
The two hides differ noticeably in grain pattern and feel. Cattle leather generally has a finer grain and a softer, more supple feel, while water buffalo leather tends to have a more pronounced grain and firmer feel.
Grain pattern is less reliable for identifying the hide source unless the leather is full grain, as corrected leathers often have an artificial grain pattern embossed onto the surface.
Sofa Cushions
Foam
Foam is commonly used as the main support material in sofa seat cushions. For durability and comfort, the two key specifications are density and thickness.
Is Foam Density Equivalent to Foam Firmness?
No. Foam density and firmness describe different characteristics. A high-density foam can still be soft, while a lower-density foam can be made firmer.
Down and Feather Blends
Down and feather blends are used to create a softer, more cushioned feel in both sofa seat and backrest cushions. Unlike foam, the filling can move within the cushion, so regular fluffing helps restore its original loft and shape after use.
The type of down and feather used can also affect the cushioning feel and natural odour. Goose down clusters and feathers are generally larger than those from ducks, which can contribute to better loft and a fuller cushioning feel. When cleaned and processed to the same standard, goose down and feather tends to have a milder natural odour than duck down and feather.
Polyester Fibre
Polyester fibre provides a firmer, more structured feel than a down and feather blend. However, when used on its own, it can gradually compress and is more difficult to fluff back into shape.
Sofa Suspension
Zigzag Springs
Manganese spring steel combines carbon steel with added manganese to improve strength, elasticity and resistance to repeated deformation. This makes it well suited to sofa suspension systems that repeatedly flex under load. In general, thicker steel springs and more springs per seat provide greater load support and help distribute weight more evenly.
Webbing
Webbing consists of strong woven bands stretched across the seat structure above the zigzag springs. It helps distribute body weight across multiple springs, allowing the suspension system to work together more evenly.
For webbing, one of the key specifications we consider is width. Wider bands provide a broader contact area across the spring system and help spread the load more effectively.
Sofa Frame
Solid Wood vs Engineered Wood
Sofa frames can be made from solid wood or engineered wood such as plywood. Solid wood is cut from whole pieces of timber, while engineered wood is made by bonding layers of wood veneer, wood fibres or wood particles together.
Solid wood is generally more substantial and sturdy for key load-bearing structures, while the durability of engineered wood can vary depending on its type and grade.
Kiln-Dried Solid Larch Wood
The solid larch wood used in our sofa frames is also kiln dried before construction. During the process, it is dried in a kiln for 7 days at 70 - 80°C, reducing its moisture content to around 10 - 14%.
Reducing the moisture content makes the wood more dimensionally stable, helping to reduce the risk of expansion, contraction, warping and cracking as humidity changes in its environment. The lower moisture content also makes the wood less favourable to mould growth and certain moisture-related pest infestations.
