ZigZag Springs

Zigzag, Sinuous and Serpentine Upholstery Springs

Shop zigzag upholstery springs for repairing and manufacturing sofa seats, chair seats, furniture backs, footstools o commonly known as:

• Sinuous springs
• Serpentine springs
• No-sag springs
• Sofa seat springs
• Chair seat springs
• Curved-wire furniture springs
• Replacement upholstery springs

Their continuous curved-wire shape creates a flexible furniture-support system without the depth required for traditional hand-tied coil springs.

Livedale supplies ready-cut 9-gauge upholstery springs in a choice of lengths, together with continuous 30m zigzag spring rolls in 8, 8.5 and 9 gauge for cutting to the required size.

The range includes:

• Ready-cut 9-gauge sofa and chair springs
• Continuous sinuous spring rolls
• Individual replacement furniture springs
• Bulk options for upholstery workshops
• Spring gauges for different furniture constructions

The correct spring depends on the internal frame measurement, wire gauge, spring spacing, frame clips and whether it will be fitted within a furniture seat or back.

Shop Zigzag Sofa and Chair Springs

9-Gauge Zigzag Upholstery Springs – 18″ to 30″

The 9-Gauge Zigzag Upholstery Springs – 18″ to 30″ are manufactured from approximately 3.6mm wire and are commonly used across upholstered seat bases.

Available lengths include:

• 18″
• 19″
• 20″
• 21″
• 22″
• 24″
• 25″
• 26″
• 27″
• 28″
• 29″
• 30″

These ready-cut sinuous springs may be used in suitable:

• Sofa seats
• Armchair seats
• Dining chairs
• Footstools
• Ottomans
• Upholstered benches
• Furniture repairs
• New furniture frames

They are available individually and in larger pack options for regular furniture production and upholstery work.

The spring should be selected according to the clear distance between the fixing points rather than the external width of the sofa or chair.

30m Continuous Zigzag Upholstery Spring Roll – 8, 8.5 or 9 Gauge

The 30m Continuous Zigzag Upholstery Spring Roll – 8, 8.5 or 9 Gauge provides a continuous length of serpentine spring wire that can be cut into individual furniture springs.

Available gauges include:

• 8 gauge
• 8.5 gauge
• 9 gauge

The continuous spring roll may suit:

• Furniture manufacturers
• Professional upholstery workshops
• Repeated sofa and chair repairs
• Bespoke furniture frames
• Non-standard spring lengths
• Trade customers regularly using no-sag springs

A lower gauge number indicates thicker wire. The required gauge should be selected according to the original furniture construction, intended use and required level of support.

Once the spring has been cut to length, the new end should be formed so that it fits correctly into the compatible spring clip.

The C.S. Osborne No.404 Zigzag Spring-End Former is designed to crimp and form new ends on cut zigzag seating springs. It can also be used with suitable open-ended coil springs.

Forming the end helps create the correct profile for the spring clip and avoids leaving an unfinished straight or sharp wire end.

Ready-Cut Springs or a Continuous Spring Roll?

Choose ready-cut 9-gauge zigzag springs where:

• One or two damaged furniture springs need replacing
• The required length is already available
• The original furniture uses 9-gauge springs
• Cutting and forming spring wire is unnecessary
• A consistent ready-cut length is preferred

Choose a continuous sinuous spring roll where:

• Several different spring lengths are required
• Furniture is manufactured regularly
• A non-standard length is needed
• A choice of 8, 8.5 or 9 gauge is required
• The workshop has suitable cutting and forming equipment

The spring gauge, length, curve pattern and formed end must all suit the intended furniture construction.

Measuring a Replacement Zigzag Spring

To measure an existing zigzag or no-sag spring accurately:

1. Remove the spring safely from the furniture.
2. Press it flat on a suitable surface.
3. Measure along the top of the flattened spring.
4. Record the wire diameter or gauge.
5. Count the curves where practical.
6. Check the shape of both ends.
7. Measure the distance between the frame clips.
8. Compare it with an undamaged original spring.

Do not measure only the visible distance across the furniture while the spring remains bowed or under tension.

A replacement spring must suit both the frame span and the original spring profile.

Cutting and Forming Zigzag Upholstery Springs

Continuous zigzag spring wire should be measured, cut and formed carefully before installation.

A practical process is:

1. Measure the clear distance between the furniture-frame fixing points.
2. Check the required gauge against the original construction.
3. Allow for the tension and slight arc required when fitted.
4. Mark the spring at the correct position within the zigzag pattern.
5. Secure the wire before cutting.
6. Cut it with a suitable heavy-duty spring-wire cutter.
7. Form the new end using the C.S. Osborne No.404 Spring-End Former.
8. Compare the formed end with the original spring.
9. Check that it fits the selected spring clip correctly.
10. Inspect the cut section for sharp or damaged wire.

The spring-end former can be bolted securely to a suitable workbench or fixed in a vice.

Do not attempt to form heavy spring wire using ordinary general-purpose pliers. An incorrectly shaped end may:

• Sit poorly inside the spring clip
• Place uneven pressure on the fixing
• Damage the clip
• Leave an exposed sharp edge
• Alter the effective spring length
• Allow the spring to move or detach

Wear suitable eye and hand protection when cutting and forming spring wire. The shaped wire may move suddenly when the cut is completed.

Sofa Seat Springs and Chair Seat Springs

Zigzag springs are commonly fitted from the front rail to the rear rail of a furniture seat.

Once secured, they create a shallow, flexible foundation beneath the fixed upholstery or loose seat cushion.

They may be used in suitable:

• Sofas and settees
• Armchairs
• Dining chairs
• Footstools
• Ottomans
• Upholstered benches
• Caravan and campervan seating
• Modern furniture frames

Seat springs normally require greater resistance than furniture back springs because they carry direct body weight.

Follow the original spring gauge, length and spacing wherever possible when repairing a sofa or chair.

Zigzag Springs for Furniture Backs

Sinuous and serpentine springs can also be used in suitable sofa and chair backs.

Furniture back springs may require:

• A lighter wire gauge
• A softer spring profile
• Wider spacing
• Less installed tension
• A different fixing position
• More progressive movement

Standard zigzag springs can provide a firmer back response, while Superloop Upholstery Back Springs use larger loops to provide softer support.

Do not assume that a seat spring is suitable for a furniture back solely because its length matches the frame.

Fitting Zigzag Upholstery Springs

Zigzag furniture springs are normally secured to suitable timber frame rails using compatible spring-retaining clips.

They should generally be installed under sufficient tension to leave them almost flat, with only a slight arc once fitted.

A typical installation may involve:

1. Inspecting and repairing the furniture frame.
2. Marking the spring positions.
3. Fitting the compatible frame clips.
4. Securing one end of the spring.
5. Extending the spring carefully.
6. Connecting it to the opposite clip.
7. Checking the spring tension.
8. Confirming the spacing.
9. Adding bracewire or connecting cord.
10. Testing the complete support system.

The original furniture construction should guide the final fitting method.

Zigzag Spring Spacing and Seat Firmness

Zigzag springs are commonly spaced approximately 2″–3″ apart.

The distance between the springs affects the completed seat:

• Closer spacing generally creates firmer and more evenly distributed support
• Wider spacing generally creates a softer foundation
• Uneven spacing can produce inconsistent support
• Excessive gaps may allow upholstery layers to dip between the springs

Spring spacing must also leave sufficient room for the frame clips and connecting components.

Where practical, follow the spacing used by the original furniture manufacturer.

Spring Clips for Sinuous and Serpentine Springs

Zigzag springs are usually retained at each end using compatible upholstery spring clips.

The clips must suit:

• Spring-wire diameter
• Spring-end profile
• Furniture-frame construction
• Fixing-hole size
• Required nail or staple
• Original installation method

Browse Upholstery Spring Clips, Bracewire & Fixings for continuous spring clip, individual frame clips, clout nails and related components.

Do not assume that every sinuous or no-sag spring uses the same clip.

Compare the new spring and clip with undamaged original components wherever possible.

Bracewire and Connecting Cord

Once the sofa or chair springs are installed, bracewire or suitable connecting cord can be fitted across them.

This helps the individual springs function together as one furniture-support system.

Bracing can help:

• Maintain spring spacing
• Reduce sideways movement
• Spread pressure across neighbouring springs
• Stabilise the seat or back
• Support front and side edges
• Reduce excessive independent movement

Browse Upholstery Bracewire, Silentwire & Spring Fixings for paper-wrapped wire and connecting components.

Record the original bracewire position before dismantling an existing furniture seat or back.

Tools for Cutting and Fitting Zigzag Springs

Producing replacement springs from a continuous roll may require:

• Suitable heavy-duty spring-wire cutters
• A securely mounted spring-end former
• Compatible spring clips
• Clout nails or approved frame fixings
• Measuring and marking tools
• Pliers for suitable connecting components
• Eye and hand protection

Browse:

• C.S. Osborne No.404 Zigzag Spring-End Former
• Upholstery Spring Clips, Bracewire & Fixings
• Upholstery Pliers, Stretchers & Pincers
• Upholstery Measuring & Marking Tools

Check that every cut spring has the correct length, gauge and end profile before fitting it to the furniture frame.

Replacement Sofa and Chair Springs

When replacing a broken zigzag spring, inspect the complete furniture-support system.

Check:

• Neighbouring springs
• Spring clips
• Bracewire
• Connecting springs or cord
• Timber frame rails
• Fixing nails or staples
• Upholstery layers above the springs

A broken sofa seat spring may be accompanied by a damaged clip, loose frame rail or failed bracing component.

Replacing only the visible spring may not resolve the underlying problem.

Zigzag Springs or Traditional Coil Springs?

Zigzag and double cone springs create different furniture-support systems.

Choose zigzag, sinuous or serpentine springs where:

• The original furniture used curved-wire springs
• A shallow modern spring foundation is required
• Springs are fixed directly to the timber frame
• Compatible frame clips are already fitted
• Hand tying is not part of the construction

Choose Double Cone & Coil Upholstery Springs where:

• The furniture originally used traditional coil springs
• A deeper hand-tied seat is required
• Springs are supported by jute webbing
• Upholstery twine controls the spring foundation

The two systems should not normally be interchanged without assessing the complete furniture-frame construction.

Zigzag Springs or Upholstery Webbing?

Some furniture uses springs, while other seats and backs are supported by elasticated, rubber or traditional jute webbing.

Choose zigzag furniture springs where:

• The frame was designed for spring clips
• Mechanical spring support is required
• The original construction used sinuous wire
• The frame provides suitable front and rear rails

Browse Upholstery Webbing where:

• The furniture was originally supported by webbing
• Cushions sit directly above elasticated straps
• Traditional coil springs require a jute-webbing foundation
• Rubber webbing and compatible clips are used

Matching the original furniture-support system is normally more straightforward than converting to a different construction.

Return to Upholstery Springs to compare the complete spring range.

Upholstery Materials Used Above Zigzag Springs

Once the springs and bracewire are securely fitted, suitable upholstery layers can be installed above the support system.

These may include:

• Hessian
• Upholstery felt
• Polyester wadding
• Flexible upholstery foam
• Platform or lining cloth
• Upholstery fabric or vinyl

Browse:

• Upholstery Hessian
• Upholstery Felts
• Polyester Wadding
• Foam & Fillings
• Upholstery Vinyl & Fabric

The complete build-up should follow the original furniture construction and provide an even surface above the springs.

Safe Handling and Installation

Zigzag spring wire stores energy and may move suddenly when cut, stretched or released.

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

Take care when:

• Cutting continuous spring wire
• Forming a new spring end
• Releasing old frame clips
• Stretching replacement springs
• Cutting bracewire
• Handling sharp or broken ends
• Working near old nails and staples
• Fitting springs under tension

Keep hands and face away from the expected path of a released spring, clip or cut wire section.

Do not fit a spring that is badly distorted, corroded, cracked or damaged.

Trade Zigzag Upholstery Springs

Livedale supplies zigzag springs, sinuous furniture springs, serpentine spring rolls and compatible fitting tools to professional upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, repair workshops and training providers throughout the UK.

Choose from ready-cut 9-gauge springs in lengths from 18″ to 30″ or continuous 30m rolls in 8, 8.5 and 9 gauge.

The C.S. Osborne No.404 Zigzag Spring-End Former is available for forming replacement ends when continuous spring wire is cut to length.

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

Measure the original spring, confirm the wire gauge and check the complete clip and bracewire system before ordering.