The Art and Science of Foam in Furniture

Choosing the right foam in furniture is critical to the look, feel, and durability of your seating. There is an art and science to selecting the furniture foam density that creates a comfortable final product but also stands up to regular use.

At Mittman, we have thoroughly tested foam densities and qualities to maximize a luxurious feel and resilience to heavy use. Here is a quick guide to understanding the foam used in the seating we manufacture.

Furniture Foam Density: Unlocking the Code

Foam quality is measured by two critical elements, density, and firmness.

Density, or weight, lets you know how much material goes into the foam. A higher density foam will weigh more than a low or medium density foam.

If you were to hold and lift identically-sized pieces of high density vs. medium density foam, the high density foam would feel heavier. Its increased weight is a result of fewer air bubbles and more material. As a result, higher density foam offers more support and greater resilience.

You can identify the furniture foam density by a two-digit number ranging from 1.8 to 3.5. A rating of 1.8 means it is a softer, lighter foam, while a rating of 3.5 means it is very dense.

Comfort, Support, and Durability.

In hospitality, if furniture foam compresses too quickly, it will lose its comfort and feel. It will age too quickly and show its use. That's why a balance of comfort, support, and durability is essential.

Comfort

Softer foam feels more comfortable, especially for smaller and lighter people. Taller and heavier people may sink too far into soft foam. Over time, softer foam can lose some of its height and comfort.

Memory foam is an alternative to soft foam since it compresses under the weight of the user while still offering support. However, memory foam makes some people feel 'stuck' and does not effectively distribute body heat.

Dacron fiberfill wraps offer superior support and comfort. It works better than memory foam because it's durable, adds a plush feel, and gives seating a softer and rounder shape.

Support

There are two key factors to support: thickness and density.

For any foam density, thicker foam feels more supportive, even under a heavier load. Denser foam offers more support for larger people.

Durability

Two equally dense foams may not feel the same because they compress differently. Sometimes called the Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) or Indentation Force Deflection (IFD), the firmness and durability of foam are measured by how much weight it takes to compress it by 25%.

Comfort, Support, and Durability.

High resiliency (HR) foam starts at a density of 2.0 and is a higher quality foam to use in furniture. At Mittman, our cushions contain HR foam with a density of at least 2.5. This provides a basis of durability and support regardless of the size of the guests.

For seat cushions, we maximize comfort and durability by building the core in three parts. At the center, we start with a firmer HR core. To create a softer feel, we add a softer HR foam at the top and the bottom. Then, we add a double wrap of dacron to achieve a plush residential feel and appearance.

This combination maximizes support while providing a luxurious and comfortable seat.

For back cushions, we start with a thin core of soft HR foam. It is surrounded by a thick wrap of blown siliconized Dacron. The effect is a residential down look that feels both soft and supportive.

For very high-end properties with the housekeeping labor to maintain it, we can create a very plush and very soft experience by eliminating the foam core in the back cushion and filling it with blown down mixed with siliconized Dacron fibers. The result is very plush and very soft, but it also requires more maintenance.

The Material You Choose Impacts a Cushion's Feel

The material you select for your furniture designs can have a dramatic effect on the final feel of pieces. A synthetic material will feel different than leather around the exact same foam interior.

Foam contains tiny air pockets that need to breathe and does best when encased in a material that allows airflow. A textile that is too tightly woven or stiff will negatively affect how the furniture feels.

By using HR foam and surrounding it with responsive, plush-feeling Dacron, Mittman delivers comfort that lasts. If you’re looking for a manufacturer who can deliver a high- end luxury result on any scale, connect with our team today.