The answer to this question depends on a wide variety of variables including: Where the reupholsterer’s shop is located. (New York City or Los Angeles can cost significantly more than North Carolina.) The skill and experience of the person doing the reupholstery. The current backlog of orders that the reupholster is working on. (Prices can … Read more
There are thousands of different Microfiber fabrics available. In general they are: Soft Extremely durable Highly stain-resistant Cheap. The vast majority of microfiber fabrics are currently made from 100% polyester fibers. They can also be made from nylon, polypropylene and other fibers as well. Although microfiber fabrics have many positive attributes, they also have severe … Read more
This blog article is outdated. Please click here for the updated &revised article dated 7-20-2023. All ratings and comments are based on Jeff Frank’s personal opinion and available information. The brands are listed from the highest to the lowest quality (in my opinion.) The first 9 manufacturers on this list produce higher quality … Read more
PU Leather is a synthetic faux leather material with a wide variety of product variations. Fabric industry professionals use the term PU Leather to refer to Polyurethane, Polyether and Polyester resin-based materials. These PU leathers come in hundreds of different variations. Most of these PU Leathers are used for commercial and institutional seating, but there … Read more
“How do I clean my sofa?” is one of the most common questions asked by furniture customers. Many years ago a cleaning code system was developed as a guide. In this code W stood for water-based cleaners (such as upholstery shampoo), S stood for non-water-based solvents. WS meant either was OK. X meant that there were … Read more
Most furniture retailers now offer an added fabric protection option to their customers. These sprays can add some temporary additional protection for natural fibers such as cotton and linen that have little natural resistance to stains. Fabric protection sprays are far less effective for synthetics such as polyesters (including microfibers),nylons, acrylics and olefins. These synthetic … Read more
Faux leather is a synthetic material that mimics the look and feel of genuine leather at far lower prices. The most common faux leathers currently are polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride (better known as vinyl.) Polyester is used in many of the newer composite faux leathers. All faux leathers attempt to mimic the look and feel … Read more
Sofa lifespans fall into different categories. The best sofas will last 20 years or more, but you can expect to pay $3000 or more. Most articles written about sofa quality and lifespan recommend features that are only available in expensive sofas that few people can afford. These features include solid hardwood frames that are screwed, glued, … Read more
The quick and simple answer is the cost of the materials, quality of construction and the skill of the person/people making the furniture. Here are just a few examples: Fabrics are available at $2 per yard or $200 per yard. Fine leathers and some specialty fabrics can cost even more. Inexpensive foam seat cushions are … Read more
Making a leather sofa is not a project to be undertaken without substantial training and skills. If you have to ask how to make a leather sofa, this is not a project you are ready to attempt. Finding a leather supplier is not difficult. Be prepared to pay $1000 (or much more) just for the … Read more
From 2010 through 2020 almost half of the leather sold in the U.S. was “bonded leather.” American furniture shoppers looking to buy leather furniture had no idea what “bonded leather” was. Or how it differed from genuine leather made from animal hides. Nobody should buy “leather” furniture unless they understand the difference! The photo shown … Read more
All articles & reviews published in this blog are based on the experience & opinions of Jeff Frank, a 45 year furniture industry veteran..
If you feel that any of the information or opinions are outdated, incorrect, or misleading, please notify Jeff for a prompt correction.