
Sofa with the "French folding bed" mechanism: pros and cons
Choosing furniture, we will certainly pay attention to the functions that it contains. Upholstered furniture, in addition to convenience and comfort, often equipped with a full bed. One way to turn a sofa or chair into a bed is to transformation mechanism "French folding bed".

The presence of this mechanism in the design of the sofa speaks primarily about its unusual design.

Today, almost all the pieces of upholstered furniture, made in such a fashionable “Hi-Tech” style, are laid out exactly according to the “French folding bed” principle.

A distinctive feature of the sofa with a folding mechanism "French folding bed" was that taking up very little space, it turns into a real two or three sleeping bed.
Content
Mechanism of action
French cot represents 3 sections connected by hinges. The head section is attached directly to the sofa, the other 2 are based on the U-shaped legs.

In order to decompose it, you must first remove the pillows from the part of the sofa on which they sit, and then lift it up and pull it towards you.

Lay out, while making sure that the metal legs that serve as a support, stood exactly and were well fixed.
This design is quite simple and compact. To expand the sofa, you must remove the cushions, armrests, remove the cover (if any). Further, the whole mechanism rises by a special handle and folds into 2 steps. In this case, the legs at the expense of thrust independently take the desired position.

Folding sofas with the type of mechanism “French folding bed” are not recommended for people with spinal diseases, as well as for children.

On this sofa to sleep every day will not be very comfortable because of its peculiar design. But as an option for delayed guests or suddenly coming up relatives is just great!
Types of French Cots
French clamshells differ in the type of bed base.
- Awning.
- Wicker mesh.
- Lats (lamellae).
- Awning and armor.
- Welded mesh.

The sofa bed "French folding bed" is really similar to the most common folding bed, also consisting of three segments.

Only here the whole mechanism is hidden inside the sofa, under its main seat.
The bases in the form of an awning and woven mesh are not used by modern manufacturers, as they turned out to be the least durable, they sagged when used, creating unfavorable conditions for the position of the spine.

Today, transformation mechanisms have up to 10 lamellas combined with an awning - thanks to this design, they can withstand a lot of weight.

However, the daily operation of the mechanism often leads to its rapid breakdown.
Lats - a more acceptable option. Made of wood, they provide a smooth surface, but over time they can bend unevenly under the weight of the body.Together awning and armor give a double effect. It is at the same time a flat surface and distribution of loading thanks to an awning.

This base, equipped with 8-10 lats, can withstand a weight of up to 180 kg.

Some models are not equipped with armor, and welded grille - the surface of the berth in these sofas is more rigid, compared to armor and awning.
And the most durable (load up to 200 kg) and durable option - welded mesh. The absence of wooden elements minimizes the likelihood of damage to the mechanism, and the welded grille, suspended on springs, does not bend under the weight of the body.

The rare folding bed is equipped with an orthopedic mattress with a spring block and a multi-layered filling.

But if so, then this sofa will successfully replace a good bed.
Strengths and weaknesses
Before you finally decide on the purchase of a sofa with a mechanism "french cot», Appreciate its advantages and disadvantages.

Comfortable seating surface - presented sofas are comfortable.

They are equipped with soft upper cushions and comfortable backs with armrests.
Virtues | disadvantages |
Compactness: the high-grade sleeping place for 2 people, hidden in a sofa, saves space. | The unreliability of the mechanism is the main drawback of the French folding bed (it is not suitable for daily use), but it is very convenient to arrange guests on it. |
The low price allows you to organize a bed for guests without damage to the family budget. | Lack of a box for linen (the entire place is occupied by the mechanism itself). The exception is the corner models, in which there is a storage compartment on the side. |
Comfortable seating for rest: most often sofas with such a mechanism are equipped with soft cushions and armrests. | The berth is usually 180-185 cm long, not suitable for tall people. |
The possibility of using an orthopedic mattress (only in versions with a base in the form of a welded mesh) | Most often thin foam rubber or polyurethane foam mattresses up to 6 cm wide are used. It is impossible to use a hard mattress even with a welded base. |
How to choose a French cot
After examining in detail the device, the advantages and disadvantages of such a model, you understand what you need to pay attention to when buying.
- Type of foundation. In order to increase the service life, it is better to use a tent base (8-10 lamellas) or from a welded mesh.
- Brand Check the reliability of the manufacturer. This question is very relevant for the French folding bed, otherwise there is a risk that it will not last even a year.
- Build quality. Make sure that the mechanism works properly, without difficulty and squeaks removed and folded back.
- Mattress. This element should be given special attention.

As practice shows, the use of 10 lats is enough to withstand the weight of a heavy person.

At the same time, models with a smaller amount of lat are designed for smaller loads.
Choosing a mattress
The mattress can be supplied with the sofa or sold separately. The main rule is that it should be several centimeters smaller than the base, otherwise you will not be able to roll the structure.

"French folding beds" are formed, so mattresses of small thickness (up to 6 cm) are used here.

Sleeping on them every day is not very comfortable, but for guest use this is enough.
Mattresses from foam rubber or polyurethane foam are most often presented. Unfortunately, their maximum height is 60 mm, which has a bad effect on orthopedic properties, but it is quite suitable for temporary use. With bases in the form of a welded mesh, it is allowed to use a mattress up to 7-10 cm thick. damage and crumble as a result of folding.

Used mattresses should be easily bent, so hard mattresses for such sofas are not available.

There is no compartment for laundry - all the free space is taken up by the mechanism folded together with the mattress.
French cotHaving some drawbacks, it can quite adequately perform the functions of a guest bed. And modern production technologies make such a design rather durable with proper use.

The daily transformation of the mechanism is contraindicated, as it can quickly become unusable.

The main thing is to ensure the absence of weight overloads that can damage the fragile mechanism.
VIDEO: Sofa with a mechanism French folding bed.
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