An eight-way hand-tied suspension system is a product of labor-intensive and expert craftsmanship for making sofa springs. Workers connect springs in eight different ways, including front-to-back, side-to-side, and diagonally, to create eight-way hand-tied coils. This method aids manufacturers in creating upholstered furniture that is plush and adaptable while also sturdy and durable.
An eight-way hand-tied suspension system needs more time and labor to produce, and furniture pieces with this kind of construction are often costlier. While these living room seats cost more upfront, their durability saves you money by avoiding the need for frequent repurchasing in the future.
Who Developed the Eight-way Hand-tied Suspension System?
The London Upholsterer’s Companion, The Art Of Spring Stuffing, is a book written by John Saville Crofton and released in 1834. It describes a system that is quite similar to the eight-way hand-tied suspension of today. To upholster easy chairs, Crofton, a veteran of the upholstery industry, recommends utilizing nine circular steel coil springs that are 7 inches high and 3-1/2 inches wide and constructed of number 8 charcoal wire. As far back as Crofton writes, and probably much older, is the hand-tied manner of making springs, which involves attaching each spring to an adjacent spring.
What are Other Types of Sofa Springs?
The drop-in coil springs are less demanding in terms of labor. It is made up of a metal frame with coils attached to it and is integrated into the furniture as a whole unit. Since it reduces labor expenses, drop-in coil springs can only provide part of the support given by an eight-way hand-tied system. Drop-in coil springs are prone to squeaking due to the metalwork and can sag faster.
Sinuous springs are the usual suspension system used for low to moderately-priced sofas. The sinuous spring system is made up of rows of numerous, massive, zigzagging pieces of metal spaced several inches apart and parallel to the front of the sofa. It is a more economical alternative to the eight-way hand-tied suspension while giving a good seating quality.
Straps and webbing suspension is a grid-patterned system made up of the weaving fabric of elastic straps. This type of suspension system is used for low-quality sofas and would not be ideal for furniture that will endure much use.
Is an Eight-way Hand-tied Suspension Better for Furniture?
The eight-way hand-tied suspension is the gold standard for sofa spring systems. Furniture with eight-way hand-tied suspension is considered of the first-class rate that can last long while providing excellent comfort.
Springs in an eight-way hand-tied suspension are braced by webbing on the bottom of the furniture and fastened at the top by twine. The twine at the top ensures that the sofa springs will not move unnecessarily, prolonging the furniture’s lifespan. The twine additionally prevents any squeaking upon sitting down.
