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Repair & restoration

Frame Repair

Timber first — covering never hides a rocking joint

Frames

Frame repair is joinery in an upholstery workshop: corner blocks, arm posts, rails and legs. If a chair rocks or a sofa arm flexes, new fabric will stretch and seam within weeks. We repair what timber will hold, and we refuse what is chipboard dressed as a sofa.

Expect glue, blocks, and screws where they belong — plus an honest conversation if the frame is past helping.

Corner blocks
Arm posts
Rocking joints
Hardwood when sound

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Wooden chair frame — Loose joints repaired before upholstery work

Repair first

We look at the frame, springs, foam and covering separately. If a joint is loose, new cloth will not save it. The honest sequence is inspect, repair, then recover — only if the piece is worth it.

Replace only if needed

Some modern frames are chipboard. Some hides are finished. We would rather say a piece is not worth covering than take a recover that fails in months.

What this actually includes

Explained, not just listed.

Joint reset

Open joints cleaned and re-set so the piece sits square.

Arm reinforcement

The common failure on sofas — arms that have been used as levers.

Honest stop

If the frame will not take covering, we will not take the covering job.

Ready for fabric

A stable carcass is the only starting point for a recover worth doing.

How the job runs

From photos to a piece you can sit on.

A clear path from first pictures to workshop finish — so you always know what happens next.

Show the flex

A short video of the movement is more useful than a still of the fabric.
Inspect timber

Workshop look at the species, joints and previous repairs.
Repair

Blocks, glue and mechanical fixings as the frame needs.
Recover or return

Covering only once the racking has stopped.

Honest comparison

Advantages & disadvantages

What this service does well — and what to weigh up before you commit.

Advantages

Makes a recover worthwhile on otherwise good furniture
Glued joints and rails can restore rigidity
Safer sit when arms or legs have loosened
Avoids buying new when timber is still sound

Disadvantages

Particleboard and some laminates do not repair well
Cost can approach replacement on cheap frames
Painted or veneered show-wood needs careful matching
Full strip-down is usually required to do it properly

This page is a good fit if…

Family sofas with a wobbly arm
Dining chairs with loose legs
Antique frames that need care, not brute force

Quick answers

Questions people actually ask.

Sometimes, if it can be matched in timber and line. Photos from both sides required.

Only if we have seen it. Hidden breaks found at strip-down are quoted before we continue.

Light timber tidy-up is discussed. Full French polishing is not the main offer.

Next step

Send photos for a first quote.

Tell us about the piece — we’ll reply with practical next steps from the Hayes workshop.