Expert: Mark H. Miller - 7/15/2011

Question
Hi Mark,

I'm building a living room chair and am trying to decide what support system to use. I would like the chair to be low profile so I've decided against coil springs.  Could you comment on the pluses and minuses of the other support systems?
This is what I know so far:
No-sag/sinuous springs are more comfortable than Pirelli webbing which is more comfortable than plywood.
If this is the case, are there any advantages to using Pirelli webbing or plywood over the sinuous springs? Which requires the strongest frame? Most labor-intensive?

Thanks for your help!

Answer
Hello Ruth,

I would like the chair to be low profile so I've decided against coil springs.

    Coil springs would not be an issue,  you could build a low profile chair that still has coil springs.

Could you comment on the pluses and minuses of the other support systems?

    Coil springs are the very best,  no-sag or zig-zag springs are a very close second and most likely one can't tell the difference when sitting on a chair.  Rubber webbing will sit as comfortable as no-sag springs and if a proper amount of foam is used is very comfortable - however,  rubber webbing has the shortest life span and will deteriorate over time.  

This is what I know so far:
No-sag/sinuous springs are more comfortable than Pirelli webbing

  I think they are equal, provided a lot of webbing is used,  in two directions - front to back and side to side - woven with a basket weave.   And depending on the amount of foam used over the springs or rubber webbing,  the thicker and better the quality of the foam the less it matters if no-sag or Perelli is used.

Perelli webbing is a brand name and rather expensive,  a very good quality rubber webbing - non brand name, may be just as good and will cost less.

which is more comfortable than plywood.

    Ply-wood is not comfortable under any circumstances, one may as well sit on the floor.  

If this is the case, are there any advantages to using Pirelli webbing or plywood over the sinuous springs?

    No,  none,  in fact it would be wrong to do so and defeat the purpose of the springs.

Which requires the strongest frame?

    No difference for any of the applications you are considering,  a good quality frame should be glued with a good quality glue, such a Gorilla glue,  have wooden dowels or screws and corner blocks that are both glued and screwed in each corner of the seat frame.  

Most labor-intensive?

    Hand tied coil springs,  no-sag springs,  rubber webbing,  in that order,  plywood the least labor intensive but also the least comfortable.

I hope this answers your questions.  Have fun building your project and when it's all done sit down and relax.....   :-)

Mark Miller.