Furniture foam rubber - which one is better to use

A popular and beloved sofa by households wears out very quickly. Then it becomes necessary to replace the contents of this product so that it becomes cozy and soft again.

replacement of foam rubber — Sometimes it becomes necessary to replace the contents of the sofa.

Then the question arises, which foam rubber is better to choose for the sofa, because you do not want to repeat the repair of the sofa again afterwards. There are quite a few criteria for choosing filling, as well as types of foam rubber. This allows you to choose the most suitable option.

The choice of foam rubber must be treated carefully and responsibly.

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Types of foam rubber for upholstered furniture
What density foam rubber is needed
How to choose the right foam rubber
Video: how to independently replace foam rubber in the sofa

Types of foam rubber for upholstered furniture

There are several types of foam rubber or polyurethane foam, as it is scientifically called. All species differ in their properties. To begin with, it is worth deciding precisely on the properties, since this will allow you to use any material most efficiently.

characteristics of foam rubber — Before you start replacing foam rubber in a sofa, you need to study all the characteristics of this material.

In one family, small children often jump on the couch and a denser and more elastic filler is suitable for them. And in another family, grandparents like to sit in front of the TV for a long time - a soft option is suitable for them, which is least susceptible to deformation.

replacement of foam rubber in the sofa — The choice of foam rubber when replacing it in a sofa depends on how often and how this sofa is used.

Basic qualities:

Density. One of the most important qualities. How long the sofa or bed will last depends on it. Density is indicated by the first number in the marking.
Tensile strength of the material. Calculated during testing. The higher the strength, the longer the foam will last.
Elasticity. Small children will appreciate this quality. Calculated by the manufacturer experimentally, that is, during the testing process. Indicates the amount of bounce.
Deformation. This indicator indicates how quickly the material regains its original shape. This figure is important for the views of the sofa. It is important for some people that the sofa always has a new shape. For others, it is convenient for the furniture to hug him, as it were. Now they are making new types with shape memory. They have a high density and allow you to "crumple" the sofa for yourself.
Compression stress. A complex physical quantity, which is calculated separately and indicated by the manufacturer. The standard value is 40% kPa. This value is indicated in the marking with the last two digits.

In this case, all foam rubber is divided into types with certain properties. These species have an international classification and letter designation:

ST is an ordinary classic filler. It is suitable for armrests and seat backs.
HL is a hard material.
EL is a very tough variety. It is more suitable for a bed.
HS - product of increased softness, low elasticity.
HR - material with increased tensile strength. Suitable for poufs, pillows or armrests.
LR is the species that takes the longest to recover from deformation. Thanks to this, he can memorize the shape of the object.
The RTC is a product with wider air holes. Has a reduced density.

types of foam rubber — Each type of furniture foam rubber has its own letter designation.

Synthetic

Almost all types are made of synthetic material - polyurethane foam. Some types are made of special artificial latex, which is similar in its properties to the natural version. It has the same advantages as natural, but it costs several times cheaper.

The synthetic origin of polyurethane foam allows you to achieve any properties in terms of density, viscosity or softness. However, it has two drawbacks. Such material is less environmentally friendly than natural, so an allergy to it is possible.

synthetic filler for sofas — Synthetic sofa filler can cause allergic reactions.

At the same time, it is quite difficult to identify the allergen, since not everyone thinks that the body may have such a reaction to the sofa filler. This material has a service life of 5 to 10 years, that is, after a certain period of time it will have to be changed.

synthetic foam sofa — Such material will last a maximum of 10 years.

Latex

Latex material is the most expensive, as it is made from completely natural substances. Latex is made from the rubber of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree. It foams in a certain way. Natural latex is a highly controversial material. Among the advantages are hypoallergenic and high performance properties. Such foam is very dense, resilient and soft.

It quickly regains its shape after compression. Its disadvantages are the high price and specific smell that not everyone will like.

Natural latex filling can last up to 20 years!

sofa with latex filling — Latex-filled sofas can be expensive.

Coconut coir

Another natural material. Coconut fiber from the upper layers of the peel has increased airiness, porosity and elasticity. Due to these properties, the fiber can be used for upholstery.

A special material is made of fibers - coir, which is sold in sheets. It is stiffer than standard and can be used for seating chairs, mattresses and beds. One of its properties is that it does not absorb odors and does not rot. This option will last more than 20-25 years.

coconut coir material — Coir material does not absorb odors and does not rot.

Memory foam rubber

A shape memory product creates a cozy sensation, as a person seems to fall into it. Remembers in detail all the subtleties of the human body, as if making a cast of it. It is made from a special viscous polyurethane foam. At one time, this material was specially developed at NASA in order to facilitate the overload of astronauts.

Re-sitting in such a place is very pleasant. This type is used to decorate the seats of chairs, armchairs and sofas. Seats with this filling can be called anatomical.

memory foam for furniture — Such foam is used for sofas and chairs.

This view is not suitable for families with small children who like to jump on the couch. So they will quickly jam it and render it unusable.

memory foam sofa — A sofa with such foam is not suitable for families with small children.

Sintepon

This material is similar in properties to foam rubber, but differs significantly in structure. It consists of special air fibers that are connected with a needle-punched or glue method.

synthetic winterizer composition — The synthetic winterizer consists of special air fibers.

Such complex connection methods allow the fibers to be intertwined with each other and at the same time leave free space. The material is also highly resilient and recovers quickly after compression. However, even the furniture padding polyester has a small thickness - 1-3 cm.

furniture padding thickness — Furniture padding polyester is thin enough.

Therefore, it is used in conjunction with foam rubber. The synthetic winterizer is applied over the foam rubber when upholstering products. This extends the service life of the filler by 10-15 years.

synthetic winterizer for sofas — For sofas, synthetic winterizer is usually applied over foam rubber.

Increased rigidity

Foam rubber with increased rigidity has a high density and low elasticity. It is not as comfortable as the soft or standard types. However, it keeps its shape well and serves for a long time.

It is usually used for furniture if it is supposed to withstand heavy loads. It is suitable for sofas that fat people will sit on or that will be used frequently.

hard foam sofa — Sofas made of such foam rubber are designed for high loads.

Soft

This type of filling is highly elastic, very gentle and creates a special pleasant sensation. The mattress made of it looks like a feather bed. Of the shortcomings, a short service life can be noted, it wears out quickly.
It is commonly used for mattresses or cushions. However, for convenience, this type is always combined with standard or rigid.

If you use only soft foam rubber, the frame of the furniture will be felt. This will make the furniture uncomfortable and uncomfortable.

Highly elastic

Such material has a high density, about 45-55 kg per sq. meter versus 25-45 kg per sq. meter of standard, soft and hard types. Thanks to this, it becomes more elastic and tear-resistant. It combines high rigidity and pressure comfort. As a rule, this type is used in expensive furniture.

What density foam rubber is needed

It is generally accepted that for sofas and mattresses, foam rubber of different densities is needed. For mattresses, they usually buy softer, and for sofas, more dense. However, this opinion is erroneous. Density is such an important property that it is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of what density is needed for a mattress or sofa.

A combination of materials is usually used for a mattress. Here, the requirements for filling are so high that it is simply impossible to choose one type. After all, the sleep of a person and his well-being throughout the next day will depend on the softness, elasticity and density of the mattress. If the mattress is too soft, the spine will tire, and it will be difficult to relax on a hard bed.

materials for mattresses — In the manufacture of quality mattresses, as a rule, several materials are used.

The sofas also combine materials of different densities. However, this is due to other reasons. First of all, these are economic reasons - cheaper types with low performance properties are chosen for armrests and backrests.

For the seat, several grades of material are most often chosen. The lowest layer is usually made of hard foam. Medium - soft or firm. And at the end they cover it with padding polyester or coconut coir. The same layer order is used for the mattress. This ensures not only comfort, but also a long service life.

How to choose the right foam rubber

Density and other properties are selected individually. It depends primarily on the operating conditions of the furniture. Before choosing the density, you should answer the basic questions:

Checklist for choosing foam rubber:

How many people are 2-3 or 5-7 in the family?
How often will they sit on the couch - every day or once a week?
The approximate weight of the heaviest family man - up to 80 kg, 80-100 kg, or over 100 kg?
Are there small children between the ages of 3 and 7 in the home?
Is foam rubber purchased for a mattress, sofa or chair?
Are there any pets, cats and dogs in the house?

After answering the questions, it will become clear which foam rubber is better to choose. For heavy people, it is necessary to take a rigid or highly elastic version. For families with children - choose elastic latex material.If there are pets in the house, they can ruin the upholstery and filling of the sofa, so do not make serious investments.

Sheets with a thickness of 3-10 cm are suitable for purchase.If one type of foam rubber is supposed to be used, then its thickness should be 7-10 cm.If a combination of sheets was chosen, then the thickness of each should be 3-4 cm.When buying, it is important to check all the necessary certificates from the seller, in which the composition of the material is precisely indicated and whether it can be used for furniture.

purchase of foam rubber — When buying foam rubber, immediately check with the seller for all the necessary information on the material.

There are types of foam that are not intended for home furnishings.

You also need to check its properties - how it recovers after compression. If it returns to shape for a long time, this is a very cheap look that will quickly deteriorate.

With the right selection, you can significantly save on foam rubber and at the same time make a comfortable and comfortable sofa or mattress that will last quite a long time.