When you are investing your energy and dollars into reupholstering your furniture, you want to work out when you complete the project. An important consideration for your project is replacing the upholstery foam.

When choosing upholstery foam, there are several features. There are two particular qualities to consider.

One is density. Density is another word for the quality of the upholstery foam. A 2.0 density is a higher level of quality foam as compared to a 1. density foam. Most people in the trade agree that an upholstery foam with a density of 2.0 or more is a quality foam. Urethane is the chemical in foam, the higher the urethane content, the higher density and less air is present in the foam. Higher Densities are used if more resiliency and longer wear is needed. Generally foam with a 2.0 density or higher are good for seating cushions along with the the correct compression number. Upholstery foam which is low in density, isn’t going to last or support as well as a higher density softer foam, even if it is firm.

Two, the Compression, also described as the ILD is the rating of how firm or soft the foam will be. A compression of 10 would definitely be a very soft foam, thirty four a moderate firm, and 48 a firm foam. A density of 10 would be used for a back rest cushion, 34 is for a seating foam where med firm is favored, and 48 or more is for any time a firm seat cushion is desired.

The majority of upholstery foam is open cell foam, meaning there is air in it. If open cell foam used out of doors, water can easily soak into it. Silk that is a soft vinyl membrane product used to wrap the foam when used outside to help keep the water from seeping into the foam. When open cell foam is used outside it will need to be used along with a moisture barrier wrap prior to putting the final outside cover on.

Closed cell foam, MLC foam, is more expensive, but due to the closed cell water will not saturate into the foam. Closed cell foam is useful for outdoor and boat cushions where moisture and water are present.

Another choice meant for upholstery foam applications which will get damp is flow through foam, EZ DRI 60 and EZ DRI 30. Flow through foam is an open cell foam which the cells are actually cracked so the water goes through much faster and consequently dries significantly quicker. It can be used for all exterior applications, like outdoor furniture, boat cushions. EZDRI is used for outdoors cushions were quick drying is required. In this case a porous covering should be utilized on the bottom side of the cushion to let the water to fall on out and let the cover and foam to dry quickly.