Density Matters for Foam Seat Cushions

When it comes to selecting the right foam for a replacement sofa cushion, density matters. Choose a foam that will stand up to the constant pressure of people sitting on it in order to have cushions that will last.

Written by the Foam Factory, Inc.

Replacing the foam in your sofa cushions is a great way to breathe new life into an older piece of furniture. With a small investment of time and money, you can get your couch to feel as comfortable as it did when it was first purchased. However, not just any foam will do. You need to make sure that you are buying the right cushion foam in order to get the right feel for your sofa.

You might be tempted to go down to your local fabric store and purchase a low density piece of foam to use as the replacement foam cushion. While this can work as a short-term fix if you need something cheap and quickly, you’re also getting what you pay for. Low-density foams will compact and wear down quickly, meaning that you’ll soon have the same problems with uncomfortable foam cushions that you had before.

Instead, it’s important to purchase a foam that is dense enough to last through years of use. As you might expect, the seats on your sofa will see the most impact, so it’s important that they have the foam with the highest density levels. One way to tell this is by looking at the Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) rating of the foam. This is a basic rating that shows the density of the foam. You’ll typically want a foam with an ILD of 25-35 for your sofa seat cushions. Back cushions will receive less constant pressure and can be a lighter density, usually between 15-25 ILD.

The Foam Factory, Inc. is one of the largest manufacturers of replacement foam for couches, sofas and other furniture. They offer low rates and can handle custom orders.