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When you are spending your time and money 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.

Upholstery foam is offered in several characteristics. Two specifications determine the level of quality of upholstery foam.

One is density. Density is another word for the quality of the upholstery foam. A 2.0 density is a higher quality foam than a 1. 5 density foam. Most people in the trade agree that an upholstery foam with a density of 2.0 or higher is a quality foam. Urethane is the chemical in foam, the higher the urethane content, the greater density and less air exists in the foam. Higher Densities are used when more resiliency and longer wear is desired. Generally foam with a 2.0 density or higher are ideal for seat cushions combined with the the correct compression number. Upholstery foam that is low in density, isn’t going to last or support as appropriately as a higher density softer foam, even when it is firm.

Two, the Compression, also referred to as the ILD is the rating of how firm or soft the foam will be. A compression of 10 will be a very soft foam, thirty four a medium firm, and 48 a firm foam. A density of 10 could be used in a back rest cushion, 34 is usually for a seating foam wherever medium firm is favored, and 48 or higher is for when a firm seat cushion is desired.

The majority of upholstery foam is open cell foam, meaning there is air inside it. If open cell foam used outside, water can easily soak into it. Silk Film that is a soft vinyl membrane solution used to cover the foam when used outside to help keep the water from leaking into the foam. When open cell foam will be used outside the house it will need to be used with a moisture barrier wrap before putting the final outside cover on.

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

Another choice when it comes to upholstery foam which will get damp is flow through foam, EZ DRI 60 and EZ DRI 30. Flow through foam is an open cell foam that the cells are essentially cracked so the water flows through a lot faster and therefore dries much faster. It can be used for all outside purposes, like outdoor furniture, boat cushions. EZDRI is used for outside cushions were fast drying is required. In this case a porous cover has to be used on the bottom side of the cushion to let the water to fall on out and let the cover and foam to dry easily.

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