Double Cone Springs

Double Cone Upholstery Springs for Sofas and Chairs

Shop double cone upholstery springs for restoring and manufacturing traditionally sprung chairs, sofas, settees, footstools and other upholstered furniture.

Double cone springs are also commonly known as:

• Upholstery coil springs
• Hourglass springs
• Traditional furniture springs
• Hand-tied springs
• Hand-lashed springs
• Sofa coil springs
• Chair seat springs

Their distinctive hourglass shape allows each spring to compress progressively while providing support across a traditionally constructed seat, back or arm.

Livedale supplies replacement upholstery coil springs in three wire gauges and a range of heights. Springs are available individually for furniture repairs or in packs of 50 for larger projects and regular upholstery work.

Choose from:

• 9-gauge firm seat springs
• 10-gauge general-purpose upholstery springs
• 12-gauge lighter springs for sprung backs and arms

The correct spring depends on the furniture construction, required height, wire gauge, number of springs, spacing and intended position within the chair or sofa.

Shop Double Cone and Coil Upholstery Springs by Gauge

Spring gauge refers to the thickness of the wire used to manufacture the coil.

Within this range:

• 9 gauge measures approximately 3.6mm
• 10 gauge measures approximately 3.2mm
• 12 gauge measures approximately 2.95mm

A lower gauge number indicates thicker wire. A 9-gauge spring is therefore thicker and generally firmer than the 10- and 12-gauge alternatives.

The finished support also depends on:

• Spring height
• Number of springs
• Spring spacing
• Tying pattern
• Seat depth
• Supporting webbing
• Upholstery fillings
• Intended furniture use

9-Gauge Firm Double Cone Upholstery Springs – 4″ to 10″

The 9-Gauge Firm Double Cone Upholstery Springs – 4″ to 10″ are manufactured from approximately 3.6mm wire.

They are the thickest and firmest coil springs in the current range and are generally used to create supportive traditional seat foundations.

Available heights include:

• 4″
• 5″
• 6″
• 7″
• 8″
• 9″
• 10″

Potential applications include:

• Traditional sofa seats
• Firm armchair seats
• Deep chair seats
• Footstools
• Antique furniture restoration
• New hand-tied spring foundations

The correct spring height should allow room for compression, spring tying, hessian, fillings and the finished seat profile.

A spring that is too tall may create excessive crown or become difficult to control. A spring that is too short may not provide the intended support or finished seat height.

10-Gauge Double Cone Upholstery Springs – 3″ to 7″

The 10-Gauge Double Cone Upholstery Springs – 3″ to 7″ are manufactured from approximately 3.2mm wire.

They provide a slightly softer alternative to the 9-gauge range and may be suitable for:

• Smaller chair seats
• Softer traditional seat foundations
• Sprung furniture arms
• Sprung furniture backs
• Sofa and chair repairs
• Traditional furniture restoration

Available heights include:

• 3″
• 4″
• 5″
• 6″
• 7″

The 10-gauge range provides a useful middle option where a 9-gauge seat spring would be unnecessarily firm but a lighter 12-gauge spring would not provide enough resistance.

12-Gauge Double Cone Springs for Backs and Arms – 3″ to 6″

The 12-Gauge Double Cone Springs for Upholstered Backs & Arms – 3″ to 6″ are manufactured from approximately 2.95mm wire.

These are the lightest springs in the current double cone range and are primarily intended for sprung:

• Chair backs
• Sofa backs
• Upholstered arms
• Furniture sections requiring lighter resistance

Available heights include:

• 3″
• 4″
• 5″
• 6″

Back and arm springs generally need to respond more easily than main seat springs because they carry a different level and direction of load.

A 12-gauge spring should not be used as a direct replacement for a heavier seat spring solely because the height matches.

Traditional Coil, Hourglass and Hand-Tied Springs

Double cone springs may also be described as:

• Traditional upholstery coil springs
• Hourglass furniture springs
• Hand-tied sofa springs
• Hand-lashed chair springs
• Traditional seat springs
• Replacement furniture coil springs

These alternative names describe the same general spring family, although the wire gauge, height and intended application must still be checked carefully.

Double cone springs are normally installed as part of a traditional upholstery system that also includes:

• Strong supporting webbing
• Spring-tying twine
• Hessian
• Hair, coir or other fillings
• Felt and wadding
• The final furniture covering

Choosing the Correct Upholstery Coil Spring

Before ordering replacement sofa or chair springs:

1. Identify the original spring type.
2. Measure the spring from top to bottom without compressing it.
3. Check the wire diameter or gauge where possible.
4. Measure the top and bottom coil diameters.
5. Count the number of springs in the furniture.
6. Record their spacing and arrangement.
7. Photograph the original tying pattern.
8. Inspect the webbing beneath the springs.
9. Check the condition of the frame rails.
10. Compare an undamaged spring where possible.

Matching the original gauge and height is normally the best starting point when restoring traditionally upholstered furniture.

Where the original springs are missing, badly distorted or clearly unsuitable, the complete seat construction should be assessed rather than selecting a replacement by furniture size alone.

Choosing the Correct Spring Height

Double cone spring heights are traditionally stated in inches.

The correct height depends on:

• Internal frame depth
• Required finished seat height
• Amount of spring compression
• Shape of the seat crown
• Furniture style
• Webbing position
• Edge construction
• Filling depth
• Spring-tying method

The tallest spring that physically fits the frame is not necessarily the correct choice.

Once fitted and tied, the spring foundation must leave sufficient room for:

• Spring canvas or hessian
• Stitched edges
• Hair, coir or other fillings
• Felt
• Wadding
• The final upholstery cover

Measure the full upholstery construction rather than only the empty timber frame.

Seat Springs, Back Springs and Arm Springs

Traditional Seat Springs

Seat springs carry the main working load and are usually selected to provide greater support.

The 9-gauge range is generally suited to firmer seat foundations, while 10-gauge springs may suit smaller seats or furniture requiring a slightly softer response.

Sprung Furniture Backs

Furniture backs normally require more flexibility and less resistance than seat bases.

The 12-gauge range is primarily intended for sprung backs and arms, although the original furniture construction should guide the final choice.

Sprung Upholstery Arms

Some traditional sofas and chairs use smaller double cone springs within upholstered arms.

These springs help form and support the arm profile beneath the hessian and upholstery fillings.

The 10- and 12-gauge ranges may be suitable depending on the original construction, spring height and resistance required.

Installing Traditional Hand-Tied Springs

Double cone springs are commonly fitted onto a foundation of strong upholstery webbing.

The springs are positioned over the webbing, secured and then tied together using suitable upholstery twine.

A traditional installation may involve:

1. Marking the spring positions.
2. Stretching and fixing the supporting webbing.
3. Securing each spring to the webbing.
4. Aligning the springs across the seat.
5. Tying them from front to back.
6. Tying them from side to side.
7. Adding diagonal ties where required.
8. Forming the correct seat crown.
9. Covering the spring foundation with hessian.
10. Building the upholstery fillings above it.

Browse:

• Jute Upholstery Webbing
• Upholstery Twines for Spring Tying
• Upholstery Hessian

The spring-tying pattern and tension affect the alignment, movement, seat shape and finished level of support.

Webbing for Traditional Coil Springs

Traditional double cone springs are normally supported by strong webbing stretched across the furniture frame.

Jute webbing is commonly used in traditional upholstery and provides a foundation onto which the springs can be secured.

Before fitting replacement coil springs, inspect the existing webbing for:

• Stretching
• Fraying
• Broken fibres
• Loose tacks or staples
• Uneven tension
• Previous repairs

Replacing damaged springs without renewing failed webbing beneath them may leave the seat inadequately supported.

Browse Upholstery Webbing to compare suitable furniture-support materials.

Spring Twine and Hand Lashing

Traditional hand-tied springs are connected using strong upholstery twine.

The ties help:

• Hold each spring upright
• Control spring movement
• Maintain spacing
• Create the required seat crown
• Connect the springs into one foundation
• Support the front and side edges

The tying pattern should reflect the original furniture construction and the shape required from the completed seat.

Browse Upholstery Twines for suitable traditional upholstery cordage.

Fillings Used Above Coil Springs

Once the hand-tied spring foundation is secure, it is normally covered with hessian before the upholstery fillings are built above it.

Suitable traditional filling layers may include:

• Hair
• Coir
• Fibre
• Felt
• Wadding
• Other upholstery fillings

Browse:

• Hair & Coir Upholstery Fillings
• Upholstery Felts
• Polyester Wadding

The springs create the flexible foundation, while the filling layers shape, soften and distribute the load across the finished furniture.

Double Cone Springs or Zigzag Springs?

Double cone coil springs and zigzag springs are different furniture-support systems.

Choose double cone springs where:

• The furniture originally used traditional coil springs
• A deep hand-tied foundation is required
• Antique or traditionally constructed furniture is being restored
• The frame provides sufficient spring depth

Choose Zigzag, Sinuous & Serpentine Upholstery Springs where:

• The original furniture used curved-wire springs
• A shallower modern spring foundation is required
• The springs are retained by frame clips
• Hand tying is not part of the construction

The two systems should not normally be interchanged without considering the furniture frame and complete upholstery construction.

Return to Upholstery Springs to compare all available spring systems.

Safe Handling

Double cone upholstery springs can move suddenly when compressed or released.

Wear suitable eye and hand protection and keep the furniture frame securely supported.

Take care when:

• Removing old spring ties
• Cutting upholstery twine
• Releasing springs from webbing
• Compressing new springs
• Handling damaged wire
• Working around old tacks and staples
• Tying springs under tension

Keep hands and face away from the expected path of a released spring.

Do not install a spring with broken coils, severe corrosion, sharp damage or permanent distortion.

Trade Double Cone Upholstery Springs

Livedale supplies double cone springs, traditional furniture coil springs and hand-tied upholstery materials to professional upholsterers, furniture restorers, manufacturers and training workshops throughout the UK.

Springs are available individually for repairs or in packs of 50 for larger projects and regular furniture production.

Approved trade customers can access preferential pricing across eligible products after registering for a trade account.

Choose the spring according to its gauge, height, intended furniture position and original upholstery construction.