What's In Your Sofa?

Does the thought of shopping for a new sofa send shivers down your spine? We hope not, but if it does, keep reading. Last month, The New York Times featured a comparison of couches that was complete with a graphic that illuminated the construction between two sofas that are similar in style, but very different in terms of cost. The author, Steven Kurutz had this to say: "Maybe it’s a matter of optics. Take cars, for instance. Put a Porsche next to a Kia and it’s easy to spot the former’s superior design and engineering and understand (to some extent) its inflated price tag. But show me two sofas, at the low and high end of the market, and I can’t see much difference between the $700 couch at Bob’s Furniture Barn and the B&B Italia model that will set me back more than ten grand. Both look more or less like cushioned boxes. Barring gymnastic mistreatment, both will likely still be upright 20 years from now." Fortunately, Kurutz was set straight by Magnus Breitling, director of product management for the chair maker Emeco when he stated the following: “There’s a lot of intelligence that goes into the product, not just in construction but in sourcing. The effort and time is much higher than with a typical Macy’s or Ikea couch.”


You can read the complete article and view the top to bottom comparison here. At Weisshouse, we proudly represent some of the highest quality furniture manufacturers in business today. We have built our business in only representing vendors who build good products. As Stacy Weiss always says “Buy quality and buy it once”!

Content and image source: The New York Times

Weisshouse: Green Practices for Over 25 Years

Weisshouse is and always has been on the cutting edge of what's hot in terms of home and office furnishings. However, it is not as widely known that Weisshouse has also been "green" for the entire time it has been a company (nearly 60 years). Even when Weisshouse was named "Modern Curtain and Rug", Jack Weiss was selling and installing 100% wool carpet. Not only does Weisshouse continue to sell the best wool carpet in the industry, they also sell "green" synthetic alternatives as well.

Weisshouse has always adapted to new technology and trends in terms of carpet. However, for 25 years, they have refused to sell and install foam carpet pad. Weisshouse only sells and installs fiber pad. Fiber pad is far superior to foam pad for multiple reasons that include durability and it's impact on the environment and air quality. Last week, The New York Times featured an article outlining the various dangers inherent and associated with foam carpet pad. Please click on this link to view the article in it's entirety: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/19/garden/tests-on-carpet-padding-show-toxins.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=Raising%20Concerns%20About%20Chemicals%20in%20recycled%20carpet%20padding&st=cse

Sadly, most local retailers only install foam carpet pad. Rest assured that when you purchase carpet from Weisshouse, we will never install toxic foam carpet pad. In fact, Jack Weiss shared a story for us that is very interesting...

For the past 25 years, Jack Weiss, founder of Weisshouse has preached the importance of using fiber pad because it does not have toxic fire retardant chemicals like it's foam alternative.

Jack tells the story of a prisoner who set fire to his cell which was lined with foam carpet padding. The guards rescued him but 13 other prisoners died because of the lethal gases from the fire that were carried through the air duct system*