What Is The Best Foam To Use For Sofa Cushions? Everything You Need To Know

We don’t give much thought to the fact that we spend a lot of time sitting. Unless, of course, you’re having a hard time sitting in your chair. Seat cushions lose their springiness and sag as they get older. Because of this, sitting is a frustrating experience. Nothing anyone wants. Fortunately, worn foam cushions may be replaced.

We’re here to help you decide what kind of foam is ideal for couch cushions, drawing on our 60 years of experience in the upholstery and foam industries. In terms of both comfort and durability, the foam utilized in a cushion is crucial. The quality of the foam used in the cushion is the primary factor in determining how long it will last. The density (or weight) of a foam is a reliable indicator of its quality. There is a weight associated with each type of foam; traditionally, the heavier the foam, the better it is. Let’s talk about the various cushion foams available.

In case you’re interested, our Seats and Cushions page offers bespoke foam cutting services for your furniture cushions.

The Benefits Of Foam Cushions?

We are confident that after reading this article, you will recognize additional advantages to using high-quality seat cushions. We have included some of the most important advantages of using foam seat cushions, as well as a couple that you might not have even realized cushions could effect. Keep reading to learn the details.

Lessened Compression On Your Body

When your tailbone, hips, and coccyx are constantly being compressed by an ill-fitting seat, you’re likely to experience pain and exhaustion. The quality of your life may suffer as a result of joint and spinal problems. Cushions made from high-density, custom-cut foam help spread out the weight you put on them, reducing the “wear and tear” that sitting all day can have on your body.

Aids Circulation

Compression, which occurs while utilizing generic chairs, inhibits blood flow throughout your body, especially in your legs, pelvis, and back, which connects up with the compression advantage mentioned above. When your blood flow is impeded, oxygen is deprived from your muscles and other tissues, and waste products from your metabolism have a harder time leaving your body. This leaves you feeling more sensitive to pain and more exhausted than usual. Your heart has to work harder to transport blood throughout your body, which can have a negative impact on your heart’s overall health.

Posture

Maintaining correct posture while seated is greatly facilitated by using foam cushions, especially memory foam cushions. Thus, without any conscious effort on your part, your body will gradually adopt a much more advantageous natural sitting position. Changes to your body will occur naturally.

Having good, natural posture can help you avoid chronic discomfort, feel more energized, and sharpen your mental focus. In addition to these benefits (and there are already so many! ), you may also notice an increase in your overall sense of well-being, self-assurance, and physical attractiveness. Considering that most individuals don’t find slouching appealing, this seems sense.

More Comfortable

Will you be seated for a long time? If that’s the case, you should make sure you have all the necessities. It is common knowledge that high-quality memory foam is extremely comfortable since it conforms to your body’s unique shape while still offering firm support. Sitting for long periods of time can be made much more bearable with the help of a combination of high-quality memory foam and tailored ergonomic cushions. Even if your cushion is exceptionally plush, you should get up and go for a short stroll several times a day.

Improves Digestion

While we have discussed the importance of blood flow, it is not the only fluid that must circulate. Constipation, indigestion, and heartburn are all symptoms of poor digestion brought on by the body compression caused by sitting in an uncomfortable chair all day. Give your stomach the space it needs to perform its job, even if you’re already regretting eating that extra slice of pizza.

Gives You More Energy

As your body’s posture and blood flow improve and your pain levels decrease, you’ll find that you have a lot more juice to burn (as we have touched on above). When you switch to a seat cushion that helps rather than hurts your body, you will be amazed at how much more you can accomplish. If you have more stamina, you can devote even more time to activities outside of work. (We know, we know, what is that?!).

The Best Foam To Use For Sofa Cushions

Best Foam Cushion – High Resilience Foam

In summary, cushions should be made from High Resilience foam, which weighs between 2.8 and 3.0 lb per cubic foot. It will give you a little extra bounce and respond quickly for any return action.

High Resilience foam is the superior option for couch cushion foam. It’s the longest-lasting and most comfy option for a seat cushion. This high-quality foam can be found in many high-end products, including boat cushions. At 3.0 lb. per cubic foot, High Resilience foam is one of the heaviest foams we carry. To be labeled as High Resilience, a density of at least 2.5 pounds per cubic foot is required.

Due to its buoyancy and resilience, it has excellent reactivity. In other words, its shape can be swiftly restored after being compressed. This is a great option for individuals who prefer springier pillows. High Resilience foam’s open-cell structure makes it incredibly springy, but it’s also quite supportive. Furthermore, it will last for a good long while, softening just slightly after eight to ten years.

Good Quality Foam Cushion – Lux Foam

To sum up, if you like a firmer foam cushion, Lux foam, which weighs in at 2.2 lb. per cubic foot, is a decent option.

The foam from Lux is of high quality. It’s a better quality foam than what you’d get in a standard foam cushion, which is Industrial Grade High Density foam. It weighs 2.2 lb. per cubic foot and is a thicker foam, making it a good choice for individuals who prefer a firmer mattress. Lux foam has a quick return action, much like High Resilience foam. That means that it quickly recovers its normal shape after being compressed. It’s a sturdy foam that can stand up to a number of commonplace uses. Lux foam is not limited to just seat cushions. High density polyurethane foam is more affordable than high resilience foam but not as good as commercial grade polyurethane foam. Because of its high quality and low cost, Lux foam is a smart investment. You may expect it to serve you well for around six years.

Most Common Foam Cushion – Industrial Grade High Density Foam

The most popular type of foam used in the furniture industry is industrial grade high density foam, which weighs in at 1.9 lb per cubic foot. Compared to Lux or High Resilience foam, it won’t be quite as supportive or comfortable, but it will do the trick.

High-density foam, commonly used in manufacturing, is of a standard quality. This kind of foam is used for the majority of standard furniture due to its low cost. It has a density of 1.9 pounds per cubic foot and a lifespan of about four years. High-Density Foam may be compressed and then quickly recover to its original shape. Similar to other types of foam, this one will soften as time passes. An outdated High Density foam cushion that has lost its cell structure and is now just a flat surface when you sit on it at a restaurant or bar is probably what you’re sitting on. When compared to Lux and High Resilience foams, High Density foam provides more consistent support and comfort.

Cheap Foam Cushion – Commercial Grade Polyurethane Foam

As a conclusion, the 1.2 lb. per cubic ft. Commercial Grade Polyurethane foam is not as durable or comfortable as higher quality foams.

There’s a good reason why places like IKEA can sell furniture at such low prices. They build with less expensive materials. This suggests the usage of inferior foam. Polyurethane foam of commercial grade quality is often used. Commercial polyurethane foam is a cheap, low-quality option. It will quickly degrade and sink in if left unattended. When that happens, it won’t be like before. The lifespan of this foam is approximately two years. At 1.2 lb. per cubic foot, it is also the lightest foam grade available. Its return action is more gradual than that of competing foams. Foam made to commercial specifications, such as polyurethane, is the best choice for showroom seating.

Is Memory Foam Good for Sofa Cushions?

To sum up, a solid piece of memory foam, at 3.0 lb. per cubic foot, would be too soft, floppy, heavy, and slow to return to its former form to be suitable as a seat cushion. A topping of 1–2 inches is recommended.

Mattresses made with memory foam are among the best available. However, this may not work so well with couch pillows. You could probably get some serious R&R on a sofa outfitted with Memory Foam pillows. But there are issues that need to be addressed. As you can expect, your sofa will be covered in wrinkles for a good few minutes after you get up from sleeping or sitting on it. Reason being that Memory Foam takes a while to return to its previous height after being compressed. The cost must also be considered. Costing more than the other types of foam we’ve discussed, memory foam is a luxury item. Because of this, Memory foam is not used to make furniture seat cushions. Only custom-made cushions for your furniture will include memory foam.

Those who are looking for a firmer seat, Memory foam is not our recommendation. It would take too long for them to regain their shape and they would be too soft and floppy to use effectively. We suggest a 1- to 2-inch thick cushion topper if you’re going the Memory foam way. You could adhere this Memory foam layer to an already-purchased or pre-existing cushion insert. High Resilience Foam is highly recommended since it works well with Memory Foam. Memory foam should be utilized for both the top and bottom of the cushion if it is to be used on both sides. In the middle, you should get a foam cushion with a firm to medium level of hardness. The central foam will expand as needed to keep the cushion cover taut. It will also add the required structure to prevent the cushion from sagging.

Is Latex Foam Good for Sofa Cushions?

At 5.6 lb. per cubic foot, latex foam is a great option for couch padding. Extra bounce and air filtering for well over a decade. However, the price tag is higher than that of competing foam products.

Latex rubber is a high-quality foam often used in luxury mattresses. Sofa cushions provide the same level of relaxation. Seat cushions made from latex foam are among the best you can buy. Because of the rubber used in its manufacturing, the foam provides a sensation like no other. This will add a springy, resilient feel to the cushions. In addition, the pincore holes in Latex foam allow air to filter through, helping to keep the foam at a comfortable temperature.

It’s important to remember that, like any other kind of rubber, Latex rubber hardens with time. In contrast to typical foam, which softens with use, this doesn’t happen here. Time and use eventually take their toll on Latex rubber, and it will start to break.

The price of latex foam cushions is the primary issue with them. Those are the priciest kind of foam cushions you can buy. They also don’t wear out until long after the fabric has. Last but not least, they are cumbersome to pick up and move around because of their weight.

Down and Feather for Sofa Cushions

When paired with a supportive foam center and free of polyester fiber, sofa cushions made from down and feathers are a comfortable and durable choice.

Seat cushions made of down or feathers are highly recommended. Most companies making pieces of furniture, however, have come up with a solution to reduce prices by mixing polyester fiber with feathers in the cushions. The polyester fiber then becomes matted and lumpy inside the downproof shell over time. If you’re looking for a feather cushion, this is one of the cheaper options. Without polyester fiber, down and feather pillows become more pleasant and of a higher quality.

Duck and goose feathers are the two most common kinds of feathers. On our site, we state that duck is more compact because it is a blend of 10% down and 90% feather. It’s also possible to use other permutations. Goose down is more luxurious and comfortable than duck down, but it also costs more. For this reason, it is superior to other materials and can be used to create a more pleasant and supportive seat cushion. It’s also available in a combination of feathers and down (90/10) for an additional $. Solid feather cushions tend to flatten over time, so regular fluffing is required. However, one approach to fixing this issue is to utilize a down casing around a dense foam core. One of the more luxurious pillows. The feather won’t ever get compacted thanks to the foam center. The foam maintains the cushion’s shape and firmness, so regular fluffing is not required.

Wrapping Foam with Dacron

Dacron polyester fiber can be used to encase foam, often in a thickness ranging from half an inch to an inch and a half. Applying Spray Adhesive to the foam and Dacron is as easy as spraying a thin layer. Next, begin at the top and work your way down the foam, wrapping it with Dacron as you go. Dacron will add volume and softness to the cushion. Several inches of Dacron are typically wrapped around the foam in retail furniture. This creates the optical appearance that the cushion is stuffed with a substantial quantity of foam. It will also add a plump, comfortable look to the couch. However, Dacron with an excessive thickness will eventually become compressed. This will cause the cushion to flatten out and never recover its original shape. Adding more than 0.5″–1.5″ of Dacron to foam cushions is not suggested. Dacron and spray adhesive are available on the materials page.

What Is Foam Wrapped In Dacron For Sofa Cushions?

There are foam sofa cushions with Dacron covers. Wrapping the foam in polyester fiber makes the sofa appear plusher. However, for the sake of maintaining the sofa’s original form, a thickness of no more than 1.5 inches of Dacron is recommended.

What Is The Best Foam Density For Couch Cushions?

If you want your sofa to endure longer than five years, you should select foam cushions with a density of 2.0 or greater rather than anything with a lower density.

What is foam density?

The density of foam is measured in pounds per cubic foot, and so provides a measure of the material’s strength and performance. However, the stiffness of the foam is not a function of its density. In contrast, the density of the foam is a good indicator of how long the cushion will hold up.

How to select your couch cushions’ foam density

Sofa cushions’ foam densities can vary from 1.5 to 2.5, and there are several levels of firmness available. Sofa springs typically run from 1.8 and 2.0, with 1.8 being the most popular. On the other hand, depending on the foam used, a 1.8 density sofa cushion may only survive for three years at most.

That’s why you should look for a foam with a density of 2.0–2.5. These pieces of furniture will cost more, but they will last a lot longer. Sofa cushions meant for heavy use, on the other hand, will normally have a density of 3.0 or greater.

How Thick Should Sofa Foam Be?

The core of a sofa can be as thick as 4 to 6 inches, with an additional 0.5 to 1.5 inches of foam on top and bottom. However, the sofa’s overall density is not the only predictor of its durability. Consider sourcing a dense, resilient material as well.

Foam with a density of 1.8 and a thickness of about 5 inches has a useful life span of 3 years. Investing in a high-density foam that is still resilient will save money in the long run. After a while, the cushions on the sofa will flatten out and need to be replaced.

Conclusion

When the foam in your couch cushions wears out, you can easily have them replaced. However, which type of foam is ideal for use in sofa cushions? The correct material is latex foam, but high resilience polyurethane foam should also be considered.

Keep in mind that the thickness and density of the foam also factor on the longevity of the cushion. The solution? Sofa cushions should ideally be made from a dense foam with a density of 2.0 or more, and a thickness of 4 to 6 inches.