Futon Furniture, Futon Covers and Futon Terminology
About Futon Furniture
Millions are discovering revolutionary futon furniture, the modern alternative to conventional
sleeper-sofas. Read on and discover the versatility, functionality and value of beautiful, modern
futon furniture.
Be a Wise Consumer!
The more you know the better. By reading and learning the basics you will be better prepared
when you go shopping for your new futon furniture.
The Futon Difference
Space-saving futon furniture makes any room bigger. Sofa by day, bed by night - versatile and
functional futon sofa-sleepers are ideal in that extra room for overnight guests, or as a primary
sofa or bed anywhere in your home. Comfort, simplicity and space-saving efficiency are qualities
that appeal to young and old alike.
The Futon Furniture Switch Is On
Millions of people who originally bought futon furniture for a spare room or TV room sofa
discovered just how comfortable they are - and have switched from traditional mattresses
and waterbeds to futon mattresses for their primary sleeping surface.
Quality Unfolds With Real Value
Quality-made, durable futon furniture is an excellent value - it's considerably less expensive than a traditional convertible sofa bed, and is available in a range of styles to fit any budget and decor, giving you a real value for your home furnishing's dollar.
About Futon Mattresses
In its most basic form the futon mattress is a simple cotton mat that is flexible and therefore easily folded. The word (futon) is the English spelling of the Japanese word which describes their bedding system. This system includes the "shikibuton" (floor cushion) on which a person sleeps and the "kakebuton" (duvet/comforter) which covers the sleeping person. The floor mat (shikibuton) is the part of the system which has been transformed into the American futon mattress/sofa-bed concept.
In the early years of the American futon industry (1968 to 1974) most futon mattresses were hand-made by cottage industry entrepreneurs. Today the hand-made variety are still available but most futon mattresses are made in manufacturing facilities that are able to produce hundreds and even thousands of units per day. Also, many traditional innerspring mattress manufacturers have begun to make futons, and their products are excellent.
By using various filling materials like cotton, wool, polyester, foam, latex, and even innerspring units you can get levels of futon mattress comfort that range from firm to plush.
As with a computer, what's inside makes a difference, and the least expensive product is rarely the best value.
Recommended Mattresses
About Futon Frames
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Bi-Fold Futon
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Some History & Details
The American version of the futon mattress started out on the floor. As time passed many futon makers began to see the potential of the futon frame as a new design alternative to the conventional, dual-purpose sofa-bed. Although a multitude of frames now exist, in the futon industry's early days it was the team of Irv Wieder (of Arise) and William Brouwer who developed the first convertible futon frames. Brouwer won the 1983 Daphne Award (sponsored by the Hardwood Institute) for his Brouwer Bed as the best new design in the Bedroom/Retail Category.
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Tri-Fold Futon
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Bi-Fold and Tri-Fold: The New Sofa-beds of The Nineties
There are two major differences between the bi-fold and tri-fold frame types. The first difference is the number of times the futon mattress must fold when converting from the sitting to sleeping position. The tri-fold requires the futon mattress to be folded twice while the bi-fold requires that the mattress fold only once. The second major difference between the two frame designs is that the tri-fold utilizes the shorter "width" of the mattress for seating while the bi-fold utilizes the longer "length". This gives the inherent advantage to the bi-fold because it looks much more like a conventional sofa-bed than does the tri-fold. It also provides a larger seating area for the consumer.
And Then Came the Bi-Fold
The bi-fold is now the industry standard and the more popular of the two basic styles. These sofa-bed lookalikes also come in two basic categories, those that are front operated and those that are not front operated.
More SIZES! More Choices!
Frames that will sleep two can be under 5 feet wide or over 7 feet wide. Queen and full size sleep two adults comfortably, twin sleeps one, while loveseat sizes are perfect for kids (or with the use of extender, adults). Chairs with matching ottomans turn into a cot for one adult. Everything turns into a bed! Many convert into a lounge position for watching TV or reading.
It's all about making the right choices for YOU, your home and your sleeping needs.
Easily delivered into the smallest of rooms, efficiently assembled with as few as 8 screws, set up and ready to use before the company arrives. Futon Furniture is a versatile, functional, dual-purpose value.
About Futon Covers
Futon mattress covers allow you to make a fashion statement that's uniquely you.
The futon covers we offer include some of the finest fabrics produced in the home furnishing industry.
Zip-on slip covers mean you can change the look of your room on a whim or with the seasons. With just a simple zip you've got a whole new style!
Futon Frame Terminology
The following definitions are the commonly accepted terminology associated with the futon furniture and sofa-bed industry.
Back Rest: The back rest is the slat rack which the user leans back on when a futon sofa-bed is in the sitting position.
Bi-fold: A convertible futon sofa-bed frame that utilizes two slat racks. The bi-fold allows the futon mattress to fold once along its length.
Case Hardened Steel: Case Hardening is a process of diffusing carbon and/or nitrogen into the outer layer of the steel at high temperature. These materials combine with the steel to make the outside of the steel very hard while the core stays soft and gives the metal strength to withstand cutting and breaking, while retaining inner flexibility so it will not shatter. The highest quality tools are normally made with case hardened steel. Cheap futons will use pot metal or aluminum hardware that breaks or cross threads easily. Our futons use the highest quality case hardened steel for hardware that is durable and assembles easily.
Conversion Mechanism: The conversion mechanism is the manner in which the futon operates to convert from a sofa to a bed and back to a sofa. The August Lotz conversion mechanism is front operated and we believe the best futon frame design in in the industry. It allows a futon frame to operate much easier than side or rear operated designs. Its simplicity and ease of use make it the first choice of futon designs.
Hand Stuffed/Tufted: Generally a hand-stuffed futon means homemade. This can result in an inconsistent amount of cotton and incorrect number of tufts. These mattresses may not be tested to meet each state's flammability standards.
Pot Metal: Cheap low-temperature melting alloy that breaks easily. Pot metals are usually made of left over metal scraps and are very soft. Often contains lead, pewter and tin. Pot metal hardware are made by die casting because it is very cheap to mass-produce. Most futon hardware is made from pot metal. Our August Lotz and UPS futons use Case Hardened Steel for their hardware.
Seat Rack: The seat rack is the slat rack on which the user sits when a futon sofa-bed is in the sitting position.
Slat Rack: Slat racks are the platforms on which the futon rests for both convertible futon sofa-bed frames and stationary platform beds.
Tri-fold: A convertible futon sofa-bed frame that utilizes three slat racks. The futon mattress can hang over the back of the frame, be folded under itself on the seat rack, or lay flat as a chaise lounge style seat. The tri-fold allows the futon mattress to fold twice along its usually shorter width.
Wall-Hugger: A wall-hugger is a frame that can open to a sofa-bed without moving the base of the frame away from the wall. These frames are difficult to operate and can be prone to damage due to mis-operation. We choose not to offer wall-hugging frames because of the potential for breakage.
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