Do you have an upholstery project in the works requiring a new cushioning or seating foam? Are you looking to make your seating furniture more comfortable to relax on? Upholstery foam is the answer.
The average lifespan of your regular sofa is 8 to 10 years. Some people underestimate how much wear and tear the seating in their homes go through. That’s where upholstery foams come in. This foam is ideal for cushioning because of how customizable it is in terms of size, thickness, support, and firmness. It also holds its shape pretty well and will last you a decently long time. When looking for the right kind of foam for your furniture, you’re going to do a bit of research. Here are some of the top upholstery foams of 2023 to get you started.
When you’re on the market for upholstery foam, you should have a rough idea of what you’re looking for, how much you are willing to spend, and the space you’re looking to place the foam in. If you’re a novice, you probably have a ton of questions on your mind. You may be asking what type of upholstery foams are available and which type will serve you best. It is understandable to be overwhelmed by the choices and specs of something that seems simple enough to purchase.
Regardless of whether you’re an experienced buyer of upholstery foam or a complete beginner, this list has you covered. This guide will list out all the details you need to know before you step into the market.
The type of upholstery foam you buy depends primarily on the level of comfort you prefer and how you want your seating area to feel. Here are some of the most common kinds of upholstery foams that you can pick from, based on your requirements.
This kind has a medium level of firmness and is recommended for use on furniture that is used infrequently, not daily.
This kind of foam is most well-suited for couch-backing cushions.
The regular-quality foam should be used for cushioning applications.
The high-quality foam should be used for regular and heavily used furniture because it will last you longer.
The firmness of foam is measured by its Indentation Force Deflection (IFD), which represents the number of pounds that it takes for the foam to compress by approximately 25%. The IFD of every foam will be mentioned in the description of the product and can be used to determine the softness and firmness of the foam. The higher the firmness (or IFD) of a foam layer, the more firm the foam. For example, if a foam has an IFD of approximately 20 pounds, it would take around 20 pounds of pressure to compress a sample of the same foam by 25%.
For seats, you need a higher IFD to ensure that you don’t sink through the board. Back cushions, on the other hand, need a lower IFD because the backs of seats only support your trunk, and won’t have to hold the full weight of your body.
The density of foam measures the amount of air contained in the foam and is measured in pounds per cubic foot. Generally, a higher density equals better-quality foam.
Density indicates longevity and is closely associated with the cost of the foam. Densities typically range from 1-3 pounds, with 1 pound being of the lowest quality (lasting a little over a year with daily use), and 3 pounds being of the highest quality (lasting anywhere between 10 to 14 years).
You don’t need to buy a 3-pound foam for every application; it depends largely on who is going to be using the foam, the regularity of use, and the duration of time you need it for.
Upholstery foam supports your weight by conforming to your body’s shape, which plays a huge part in improving and maintaining the alignment of your spine and posture, and relieving pressure points. These foams are versatile products and choosing the right one can do miracles for your back by creating a significantly more comfortable environment for you to relax.
If you’re someone who suffers from back pain, the kind of foam you’re sitting and sleeping on plays a huge part in improving and maintaining your health. Regardless of what has caused the back pain, you need to think about how to fix the issue, instead of veiling it with painkillers and other temporary treatments. Upholstery foam with the right level of softness and firmness may be the answer to your problems. A good supportive foam will help distribute your weight evenly and will prevent pressure points from forming. Various kinds of foams will redistribute the compressive force on your hips, spine, and tailbone, while also improving blood circulation around your body, which significantly improves your cardiovascular health. Good-quality foams can also do wonders for your bowel movements.
Other than being super comfortable and supportive, foam is also durable, which means that it retains its comfort level and shape for a pretty long time. It conforms to the body that is placed on it, molding perfectly around the contours of that body to provide all-rounded support. It is also a very versatile material with multiple applications; it can be used for car seats, mattresses, couches, and dining chairs. It has quickly become an essential item for delivering support and comfort.
High-density polyurethane upholstery foam is the perfect choice for all your upholstery projects because of how durable and long-lasting it is. Generally speaking, high-density foams are of better quality and are much more resilient than low-density ones. The higher the density of the foam, the more quickly it returns to its original shape after being compressed. A foam of a density of 2.5 pounds or higher is recommended because this kind will last you for at least 12 years. Most foams of this type are also anti-microbial, another huge plus.
High-density foam is the better choice for dining chairs, couch cushions, mattress toppers, and pretty much any area that is used heavily on a daily basis. For lighter and more occasional use, the medium-density foam will serve you well too.
This ComfortStyle Upholstery Foam is great for when you’re thinking of replacing the old, flattened padding on your sofa, or simply looking for another comfy place to nap in around the house. This high-density foam’s material will make it last anywhere between 7 to 10 years. It also has a 36-pound ILD compression rating, which guarantees excellent comfort and support.
This foam is CertiPUR-US-certified, which means that it is entirely eco-friendly. It meets all required standards for emissions, performance, content, and durability, all without using ozone depleters. The design of the foam itself is long enough to fit most beds and sofas, and thick enough for various projects ranging from seat and cushion replacements to sleeping pads. This option gets the top spot on this list due its comfortable material and sturdy design.
If the foam in your sofa, chair, or bed isn’t up to the task anymore, and you’re looking for something to replace it, Mybecca’s Upholstery Foam will serve you well. This high-quality, premium upholstery foam offers the perfect amount of balance between cushioning and stiffness, which lasts for up to 7 to 10 years. This foam is CertiPUR-US-certified because it is made without the use of any ozone depleters like PBDEs, TCEP, TDCPP, mercury, lead, formaldehyde, and phthalates. It also has very low VOC emissions to maintain air quality.
This upholstery foam can be used for oval and round poker tables, boat cushions, furniture cushions, car cushions, and many other home and commercial applications pertaining to upholstery foaming. It has a 100% recovery rate and is super easy to slice through if you’re trying to customize the size and shape for a smaller space.
FoamTouch’s Upholstery Foam sheet is an open-cell foam that is made of polyurethane. It serves as a great foam for couch cushioning and seat replacement thanks to its excellent compression rate of 44 pounds. It balances softness and stiffness perfectly to give you great support. Its 100% recovery rate adds to its durability and longevity, allowing it to last for 3 to 7 years. This foam can also easily be cut to customize the shape and size for a smaller space.
If you don’t want to replace the foam on your mattress or sofa seating, you can simply add it to your current cushioning and make the seating space firmer, while also adding to its height. It’s super easy to use, not only because of how conveniently it can be cut, but also because of how lightweight it is.
FOAMMA’s Custom Upholstery Foam is the perfect choice for almost any project involving replacing the cushioning on your seating furniture. This 1.8-density foam has a compression rating of 44 pounds, coupled with a 100% recovery rate, which makes it a great choice for those looking for softness and support from your foam, and also makes it last for up to 7 to 10 years. All this comes at a great price as well.
Whether you’re on the market for a thick or thin foam, you can’t go wrong with this choice, because of its incredible customizability and large variety. The company offers custom cuts as well, so not only can you cut the foam yourself, but you can also place an order for a specific size and shape. The foam is CertiPUR-US-certified because it is made of materials of the highest quality, without the use of any ozone-depleting substances. The foam is delivered to you in compact packaging for easy transport and is fully expandable after approximately 72 hours. You can’t go wrong with this choice.
A: Yes! To make a thicker cushion for yourself, all you need to do is stack as many layers of foam as you need and use a spray adhesive to stick them together. In these cases, the firmest layer should be at the bottom and the softest on top.
A: Yes! Depending on the kind of foam you’ve bought, you can use a regular knife or an electric kitchen knife. If the foam is tougher to cut, you can get yourself a foam cutting tool that will make the process easier.
A: While the density of the foam represents the overall mass of the foam in its solid state, the firmness represents the amount of weight it takes to compress the foam completely.