Chariho Furniture Education Center

Eight-Way Hand-Tied Seating Systems: Are They The Best?

It seems whenever a furniture store wants to justify the higher cost of a sofa, loveseat or chair, they will invariably say that their set has a hand-tied seating system. These furniture stores say these hand-tied seating systems are the best, so they are more expensive. Is this true? Well, it is and it isn't so let's dissect the truth from the well, let's say, urban legend.

Before answering whether it is the best or not, you have to first determine what kind of "hand-tied" you are talking about. That's right... there is not one, but two types of 8-way hand-tied furniture. Salesperson didn't tell you that did he?

Here's the difference between the two:

-"Traditional Eight-Way" hand-tied: A time-honored construction method using a series of coils, each tied -- from front to back, side to side and diagonally -- eight times. This system creates even comfort and prevents "give" in the frame. This traditional method is believed to offer superior comfort, but should never be confused with "Drop-In" or "Machine-Tied" coils, which some furniture retailers pass off as "Eight-Way".

-"Drop-In" Machine-Tied: A pre-assembled, machine-made coil system designed to simulate the hand-tied version. It drops into the frame and is typically fastened at the corners. This type of coil system attempts to mimic the traditional method of Eight-Way Hand-Tied Coils, but is generally considered inferior in the support and comfort it offers.

So How Can I Tell The Difference Between "Real" Eight-Way & Manufactured "Drop-In" Coils?

Traditional 8-way hand-tied coils are built right into the deck (or bottom) of the frame. As such, the coils are attached directly to the frame. You can feel this underneath the piece of upholstery. If it is a "true 8-way hand-tied coil system" you will feel the bottom of the spring. If you don't feel the bottom of the spring it is either a drop-in coil unit being called an 8-way or an even lesser quality like a sinuous or no-sag spring. It may even be just webbing.

The best way to verify that you are getting the good or bad eight-way hand-tied system is to just come out and ask the salesperson. If they do not know or cannot explain it as simply as we've just done, you need to do your own research. Check with the manufacturer or distributor. In most cases, they will have a website that should tell you, especially if it's a real eight-way hand-tied system.