Is the Burrow Union Sofa good quality & value?
I’ve been looking at the Burrow Union Sofa that just came out recently, but I can’t find any details on the construction of the cushions or frame.
I was wondering if you had looked into this sofa yet. I’ve been using your website a ton while looking for a new sofa.
The Burrow Union 3 seat sofa is currently on sale for $2079 with free shipping. It was originally $2599.
Is this a good value?
Answer:
No! The Burrow Union sofa is not good quality!
The Burrow Union sofa is not a good value for $2079.
To me, a “good quality” sofa is one that can still look good and feel comfortable after 10 years of use.
The frames should be built to last 15 to 20+ years.
For $2000 – $2500, there are far more comfortable sofas with frames & cushions built to last 15+ years.
The Burrow Union sofa has a frame built to last about 10 years and cushions that can lose their resilience, firmness, and comfort within 3 years.
My estimate is based on average use by average size people.
Some people will get 5 years or more from their cushions.
Others will be unhappy within 1 year or less.
Frame:
Burrow’s frames are built with a mix of Oak, maple, and “sheathing grade 5-layer southern yellow pine plywood.”
Prior to the past 15 years, sofa frames made with softwoods were labeled “poor quality” and rarely seen in sofas priced over $1000.
Using softwoods in sofa frames is rapidly growing in popularity, as cost reduction becomes more of a priority.
When sofa cushions are expected to fail within 5 years, hardwood frames, built to last 15 to 20+ years, become an unnecessary expense.
Cushions:
1.8 density foam core that is only 3 inches thick.
Most mid-range quality sofas sold in the U.S. use 5 inch thick foam cores.
To compensate for the thin 1.8 density foam core, Burrow gives the foam a 50 compression (firmness.)
This is considerably firmer than the standard 36 compression usually found with 1.8 density 5 inch thick cores.
Although the cushions will feel extra-firm when new, that firmness will break down rapidly with use.
My best estimate is that with average use by average size people, these cushions will wear out within 3 years.
If the sofa is used by anyone who weighs 250 lbs., the foam may break down within one year or less.
Most Burrows reviews are highly complimentary.
Online furniture brands have learned that the trick to maximizing sales is to generate as many reviews as possible from people who have just received their furniture.
Another strategy is marketing through review sites and influencers that get paid for referring potential customers.
“Paid” review sites and influencers are more numerous than independent (unpaid) review sources.
Many furniture shoppers don’t seem to understand that the vast majority of brand new furniture looks good and feels comfortable, even when it’s poorly made.
Reviews don’t mean much until the furniture has been used for 6 months, 1 year, 3 years or longer.
Those longer-term reviews represent only a small fraction of the total reviews published, and they can be difficult to find.
I haven’t seen any Burrow reviews stating that the cushions were still comfortable after 3 years. Several commented that the cushions had lost their “firmness” in less than one year.
There are dozens of “Sofa in a Box” brands similar to Burrow.
Many of these are priced in the $1500 – $3000 price range, featuring sofas and sectionals that will also look worn out or feel uncomfortable within 5 years or fewer.
Better alternatives do exist.
Here is a list of high quality brands making 3 seat sofas selling for $2000 – $2500 that are built to last 15+ years.
Individual reviews of all these brands can be seen in my article, 65 Best Sofa & Sectional Reviews.
DreamSofa
DreamSofa’s Chicago sofa. Kiln-dried solid wood frames, sinuous wire foundations, and the company’s “Plush” cushion option (coil springs surrounded by 2.5 density foam), and a mid-grade fabric.
Estimated lifespan: 15+ years.
Price: $2096, includes free delivery. Price does not include Special 3% discount for Insiders Guide readers.
This is only one of more than 50 sofa styles available from DreamSofa for less than $2500.
Hydeline
Hydeline’s Luxor Leather-Match sofa. Kiln-dried solid wood and hardwood plywood frames. Sinuous wire foundation. Cushions are 8 inches thick with pocket coil springs, 2.25 density foam, & memory foam.
Top grain semi-aniline leather on seats, backs, inside arms. Matching vinyl on outside parts.
Estimated lifespan: 10+ years.
Price: $1799, includes free delivery. Price does not include special 5% discount for Insiders Guide readers.
Mantle Furniture
Mantle’s Burke sofa. 13 ply hardwood plywood frame, 8 way hand tied coil spring foundation, 2.55 density Qualux cushions. (13 ply frames are much stronger than standard plywood frames with 5 – 7 plies.)
Estimated lifespan: 15 to 20+ years.
Price: $2665. Price does not include 10% discount for Insiders Guide readers.
Medley Home
Medley Home’s Rio sofa. Kiln-dried solid wood frames, sinuous wire foundation, 2.5 density foam cushions.
Estimated lifespan: 15 to 20+ years.
Price: $2776. Price does not include special 10% discount for Insiders Guide readers.
Simplicity Sofas
Simplicity Sofas’ Brandon full size sofa. Solid oak frame, 2.5 density foam cushions, and high performance fabrics.
Estimated lifespan: 15 to 20+ years.
Price: $2199. Price does not include special 10% discount for Insiders Guide readers.
Prices and discounts listed above are subject to change.
For more information on special discounts, see Special Discounts.
Important Note: I do not accept payment from the brands I write about.
When payment is offered or available, I ask the companies to make this available to my readers as a special discount.
I do not solicit or accept special discounts for any brands whose furniture is not built to last at least 10 years.
