Introduction

We’ve all been there: you’re looking at a piece of furniture, and it just doesn’t seem right. Maybe it’s too soft or not firm enough. It could even be that the color isn’t quite right for your home. While these issues can be remedied with some DIY alterations, sometimes the best solution is to just start over from scratch by ordering fresh furniture foam from a company like Foam Factory USA. In this blog post, we’ll help you get started with choosing the right foam for your project by explaining what type of material works best for what situations.

Type

There are three main types of foam: open cell, closed cell, and semi-open cell. Open cell foam has a lot of small holes that allow air to flow through the material easily. It’s often used in cushions because it provides a soft feel while still being firm enough to support your body weight. Closed-cell foam is made up of tiny bundles containing thousands of smaller bubbles called cells that are all interconnected with each other. This type is also known as memory foam because it retains its shape over time—you can press down on it today and press down again tomorrow, and you will get exactly the same result both times! Semi-open cell is similar to closed-cell but with more large holes for airflow between neighboring cells.

Semi-Open Cell Foam Types: High Density (HDC), Medium Density (MD) & Low Density (LD)

Density

Density, in layman’s terms, is a measure of how much space a substance takes up. In the case of foam, it’s measured by pounds per cubic foot (pcf). The higher the density rating, the smaller your pieces will be—and vice versa. This is why having dense foam can make or break your project!

If you’re looking for high-density foam that meets all kinds of heavy-duty requirements and specifications (including ASTM standards), check out Foam On Demand’s selection here: https://www.foamondemandstore.com/collections/high-density

ILD

ILD stands for Indentation Load Deflection, which is a measure of how much pressure a material can withstand before it starts to compress. The ILD number is measured in pounds per square inch (psi). For example, if you buy furniture foam with an ILD rating of 20 psi, that means that one pound resting on that piece of foam will cause it to compress 20% from its original size.

A mattress has an ILD rating because its job is to support your body while you sleep. If you purchase a mattress with too low an ILD rating, then your body will sink into the foam and not get adequate support—this makes it more difficult for your back muscles and joints to relax while you sleep and results in aches and pains in the morning. On the other hand, if you buy a mattress with too high an ILD rating (like 50 or 60 psi), then when someone sits on it they won’t feel very much give at all—they might think there’s something wrong with the couch!

Polyurethane Foam

Polyurethane foam is the most common type of foam, and can be found in all sorts of items from furniture to mattresses and pillows. When used for cushions and upholstery, polyurethane foam will provide a supportive structure that allows it to hold its shape over time.

Polyurethane foam has several properties that make it ideal for this purpose:

• It provides a soft cushioning effect that’s comfortable for both sitting or lying on.
• It’s resilient to pressure, so when you sit on your couch or bed it won’t give way beneath your weight like some other types of cushioning might do (some examples include memory foam).
• Its surface texture gives you something comfortable to rest against while still providing enough support so there’s no sinking into an uncomfortable void between yourself and whatever object you’re leaning against at any given moment (such as another person).

Memory Foam

In a nutshell, memory foam is a special type of polyurethane foam that is made to be soft and comfortable. Memory foam has been around since the 1960s but wasn’t readily available until the early 1990s when it was used in mattresses and pillows. As you can imagine, this special type of material has become very popular over time!

Memory foam is a good choice for people who sleep on their sides and stomachs because it contours to your body shape while still offering support where needed. You may think that memory foam would be too soft for you but if you have sensitive skin or are recovering from an injury, the extra support may be exactly what your body needs!

Latex Foam

Latex foam is made from natural rubber and is a good choice for individuals who have allergies. This material is more durable than polyurethane foam, with slower recovery time. Latex has higher density and slightly lower resilience than polyurethane, but offers better durability.

It’s important to note that latex foam is more expensive than polyurethane, so it may be cost-prohibitive in some instances. If you’re looking to upgrade your current furniture or bedding with new cushioning, consider trying out latex in your next project!

Takeaway: Choose the right foam for your project by thinking about density and firmness, your budget, and sustainability.

Remember, the right foam can make or break your project. Think about density, firmness and the budget. And don’t forget to consider sustainability! Foam is a great material for a wide range of projects.

Conclusion

We hope that this blog has been helpful for you as you think about the types of foam you might use for your next project. We look forward to hearing from you, and helping you find the right type of foam.