What is the Quality of Canadian Made Stylus Sofas?

What is the Quality of Canadian Made Stylus Sofas?

Customer Question

Does Stylus make good quality sofas?

I am not personally familiar with Stylus, but I took a look at their website. The specifications shown indicate that it is better built than most U.S. made mid-range sofas.
 
In particular:
 
  • The solid wood frames are 1 1/8" thick. This compares with a typical 1" thickness on the few solid wood frames still used for most mid-range sofas. That small difference can add 5 years or more to the lifespan of the frame.
    •  Frames usually last longer than most other parts of a sofa. 
    • Most frames hold up for 10 years or more regardless of their construction. That includes cheap frames made with plywood and engineered woods. 
  • The cushions (according to the Stylus website) use 2.0 - 2.75 density foam. I believe that 2.0 foam is used for the standard cushions and 2.75 density is used for the upgraded Feathersoft cushions. Both of these specifications are superior to the 1.8 density standard for U.S. mid-range furniture.
  • Cushions are usually the first part of mid-range sofas to wear out.
    • 1.8 density cushions usually last about 5 years (or less for reclining furniture or if the user is larger than average.)
    • 2.0 density cushions usually last 1 - 2 years longer than 1.8 density.
    • 2.75 density cushions can last 10 - 15 years, more than double the lifespan of 1.8 density cushions.
Another good sign about the company is their warranty. It doesn't cover any more than standard furniture warranties, but it is more honest. 
  • All furniture warranties have multiple exclusionary clauses that limit the broad claims made at the top of the document. Typical furniture warranties hide these exclusions in small print way down where nobody reads. Stylus makes sure that the limitations are clearly explained.

Stylus does seem to have as many complaints and negative reviews as other brands with lesser specifications. I have listed links to some review sites below.

The reviews are actually not as bad as they may seem at first.

  • Since March 2020, every custom upholstered furniture manufacturer has been experiencing longer than normal production times. Customers sometimes complain, not realizing this is an industry-wide problem.
  • Some complaints mention peeling faux leather fabric (which the customers may not realize is not real leather.) Do not buy bonded or bycast leathers!  Over the past 10 years bonded and bycast leathers have resulted in thousands of customer complaints. These fabrics often peel within 1 - 3 years (or even less.)
  • Some of the negative reviews are for reclining sofas or sleepers. Those categories have higher rates of complaints than statonary sofas.

The most concerning reviews are about cushions that wear out quickly. This is why it is important to get the 2.75 density foam. It should hold up far longer than 2.0 density foam.

 
Photo shown above is courtesy of Stylus.

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