Cushioning

High Resiliency Foam

For specifying flexible polyurethane foams, two numbers are used: the first is density, the second firmness. Our standard cushions use 2635 high resiliency foam [2.6lb density, 35lb medium firm ILD], cushions having a 10+ year lifespan with every day use. Ask us about the availability of softer or firmer cushions.

Foam Density - the Inside Story:
Density is lbs/ft³. Pure polyurethane foams range from 1.0 lb/ft³ [“low-density” for cheap mats] to 1.2 & 1.5 [“medium-density”], to 1.8 lb. [“high-density” for fine mattresses & sofas], and up to 2.6 lbs/ft³ for high resiliency foams for contract upholstery. The higher the density, the longer foams last, and the more they cost.

How Firm Do You Like?
By varying ingredients, foam makers can offer several firmnesses [ILDs] at each density for different uses. ILD is the pounds of pressure it takes to press an 8” diameter steel test plate 1” into a 4” thick sample slab of foam. ILDs range from extremely soft [10 lb. ILD] to very hard [60 lb. ILD]. Mattress foams’ ILDs range from 25 lb. [soft] to 35 lb. [medium firm] to 45 lb. [very firm].

Flexible Foams Are Everywhere Today
They're under our seats in cars, planes and trains. They're under rugs. They're in all sofas and nearly all mattresses. Innerspring mattresses use foam padding over their steel springs.

Breathability & Coolness...Built-In
All flexible mattress foams are open-cell, unlike closed cell insulation foams. "Open-cell" means foams breathe. The circulating air takes away body heat and humidity constantly.

Foams’ Hypo-allergenic Advantages
Polyurethane foams, unlike organic materials, are allergen-free. They do not mildew or cause allergies. For asthma sufferers, foam can work wonders. Foam cushions are resilient and inert. They contain NO noxious gases whatsoever.

FiberDown Wrap

FiberDown, or Cushion Wrap, is also known in the upholstery trade by brand names such as Dacron, Terylene, and Fiberfill, among others. Technically it is padded polyester fibers often heat bonded together. FiberDown is approximately 1" thick and shipped in 27" or 54" wide rolls like fabric. FiberDown is used to soften and round the outside of polyfoam used in sofas and cushions. Because it resists compression, FiberDown serves as an excellent finish wrap, to smooth out the corners, edges and surfaces of blocky foam shapes.

FiberDown, unlike horsehair and cotton padding found in upholstered furniture, is inert, hypoallergenic and sterile. It has absolutely nothing in it that can support mold, mildew or insects. FiberDown will retain its given shape better over time than even goose down fill or many lower density polyfoams. FiberDown is not prone to crushing.

FiberDown even keep the upholstery fabric on top from wearing out before its time. It helps protect the fabric from accidental spills. Spilled liquid passes through the FiberDown and dries out on the foam, rather than mildews or rots the fabric. We recommend and use FiberDown on all our fabric-covered seat cushions.