Foam rubber is a universal and inexpensive material suitable for upholstery of any furniture. The most common are its two brands: ST (standard) and EL (extended rigidity). Elastic polyurethane foam is sold in the form of sheets. The most popular sizes of foam rubber for furniture are 1.2 x 2 m, 1.6 x 2 m. The thickness can be 1 - 10 cm or more.
Foam rubber for sofas and armchairs
EL brand foam rubber is ideal for upholstering a sofa or chair. Due to the high degree of rigidity and density, this material can withstand significant loads and is characterized by a long service life. Polyurethane foam also has the ability to restore its shape, due to which the furniture always retains its neat appearance.
If it is necessary to upholster a sofa or chair with a spring block, a sheet 3-4 cm thick is most often used, while a layer of dense felt is placed on the springs under the foam rubber, protecting the porous material from damage and ensuring sufficient elasticity of the seat.
When upholstered furniture is sheathed without the use of springs, the best option there will be polyurethane foam with a thickness of 10 cm. Material with these dimensions is also suitable for the back. The armrests and sides are covered with thinner foam rubber 3 - 5 cm thick.
If you prefer to rest on a hard base, use multi-layer foam padding. To do this, you will need two sheets of felt and two sheets of foam rubber up to 5 cm thick. By alternately laying the materials, you can achieve the desired degree of rigidity for a sofa or bed.
What sizes of foam rubber to choose for chairs
When performing classic reupholstery of chairs or stools, thick (5 - 7 cm) and thin (2 - 3 cm) foam rubber is used. The first acts as the basis and is cut to the shape of the seat, and the second is cut with a margin, taking into account not only the area, but also the height of the seat, as well as 2 - 3 cm for the trim. Thin foam rubber is suitable for the back of the chair.
If you are going to make carriage trim, use thicker foam. The thicker the material, the more voluminous and decorative the banner will be. To achieve smooth transitions between parts, use thin PU foam of the SL brand.
For furniture upholstery, the material is selected with reserve. At the same time, the thicker the foam rubber, the more reserve you need to take for smooth transitions at corners. It is important to know that the foam rubber in the original packaging is in a compressed form, so before starting work you need to let the unpacked sheet rest and take its true shape. can increase 4 - 5 times.
Over time, as a result of use, upholstered furniture loses some of its characteristics and becomes not as comfortable as initially. Pits or bumps form on the sofa. It is no longer possible to have a good rest on such a sofa. This may happen due to the use of low-quality filler or due to improper use. upholstered furniture. If you wish, you can restore the furniture yourself; just buy new foam rubber and replace it in the sofa. You need to study furniture foam rubber to understand which one to choose for the sofa.
Types of furniture foam rubber
When choosing upholstered furniture for your home, it is very important to pay attention to its comfort. It would be a good idea to ask which filler the manufacturer chose for the manufacture of a particular model. A wide variety of brands can confuse an inexperienced specialist, let alone an ordinary buyer. The selection criteria are density and thickness.
REFERENCE. To assemble upholstered furniture, it is necessary to use material with a density of 30 kg per cubic meter. m. Such sofas can be used both for sleeping and for relaxing while sitting. During operation, the filler is not pressed through.
IMPORTANT. The duration of use of the furniture will depend on the density of the foam rubber. The dependence works - the higher the density, the longer the period of operation.
For the manufacture of furniture seats and armrests, a material with different characteristics is used, this is explained by different degrees of load.
Thickness is an equally important indicator. If we are talking about a sofa for sleeping, the thickness should be at least 4 cm. Furniture manufacturers often neglect this criterion and use thin foam rubber, which significantly reduces the quality of the furniture.
Quality indicators
When choosing foam rubber, you must first of all pay attention to its main parameters: thickness and density. The quality and scope of application of this material are influenced by the following qualities:
REFERENCE. Manufacturers indicate letters in the name of foam rubber that allow you to quickly determine its class. The numbers indicated in the name will help determine the density and compression stress.
Purpose of brands of furniture foam rubber
There is a certain classification of foam rubber, on its basis you can determine what material is intended for what purpose. First of all, you should understand the brand designation. Manufacturers use Latin letters:
Designation in Latin letters is only part of the encrypted characteristics. There are also numbers. The initial numbers indicate the density of the foam, and the other two indicate the compressive stress.
Just based on the markings, you can understand which material is suitable for what purposes.
What kind of foam is used in sofas?
To complete sofas, manufacturers use several types of foam rubber, depending on what characteristics the furniture should have. Let's look at the question - furniture foam rubber - what density is needed for a sofa?
For upholstered furniture excellent choice the figure will be 30–40 kg per cubic meter. m. If we are talking about children's upholstered furniture, it is better to give preference to material with an indicator of 25 kg per cubic meter. m. Foam rubber 1620 is one of the softest, but its durability leaves much to be desired. It is suitable for the manufacture of furniture or its elements that are not subject to high loads.
Material grades 2336 and 2310 are most often used by manufacturers in the manufacture of teenage furniture; they are considered durable. They are also very often chosen as a layer for springs.
REFERENCE. Most often in furniture production grade 2536 is used.
Modern production offers a very wide selection of filler brands, which makes it possible not only for furniture manufacturers, but also for ordinary buyers to select the necessary items of goods.
Often upholstered furniture becomes uncomfortable over time. Pits or bumps appear on your favorite sofa. The culprit is poor quality filler or improper use of furniture. If a thing is good, you shouldn’t get rid of it. It can be restored, just buy a new filler, change upholstery, pick up necessary tools and spend a little time. The main thing is to choose the right foam rubber.
The internal filling of upholstered furniture is very important, since the convenience and comfort of the product depends on it
This filler is often used in the production of upholstered furniture - armchairs, sofas, mattresses. The filling of furniture is of paramount importance; how convenient and comfortable you are will depend on this.
Which foam rubber to choose for a sofa depends on how the sofa will be used most often
"Stuffing" for the sofa expensive brands consists of highly elastic foam rubber and latex of natural origin
In order for the sofa to serve for a long time after restoration, you need to decide what filler would be better suited For repair work. Foam rubber must meet the conditions.
Profiled foam rubber is a sheet of polyurethane foam with a three-dimensional pattern applied to the surface.
Density is mentioned above, and indicators such as hardness and softness are selected individually.
Different types of furniture polyurethane foam are designed for one or another type of furniture
There are several types of filler.
- Having increased hardness.
- Solid.
- Soft.
- Increased elasticity with orthopedic properties.
- Increased elasticity and greater comfort.
Variety different variants foam rubber for upholstered furniture in rolls of various densities and thicknesses
If you are purchasing furniture as a sleeping place, choose the last two from listed types. They will be a little more expensive, but they are ideal for sleeping.
Foam rubber blank for replacing sofa elements
Main quality indicators of furniture foam rubber
When choosing foam rubber, first of all you need to pay attention to its main characteristics - the thickness and density of the material.
The quality and purpose of foam rubber are greatly influenced by subsequent physiological qualities.
Molded polyurethane foam is ready-made sofa parts
On a note. In the definition of a filler brand, there are letters indicating its class and numbers - the first two indicate its density, the next two indicate the compressive strength. For example, brand EL 2535 means: EL - high rigidity brand, 25 - compaction 25 kg per cubic meter, 35 - compressive strength 3.5 kPa.
Types of foam rubber by density
Purpose of various brands of furniture foam rubber
Types and brands of foam rubber for the manufacture of upholstered furniture
Furniture foam rubber ST (standard hardness) is one of the most common materials for filling upholstered furniture parts
El furniture foam rubber of increased rigidity with equal volume has greater rigidity than ST
Available a large number of brands of filler, which makes it possible to make right choice not only to ordinary buyers, but also to furniture manufacturers. Let's look at the main ones.
| ST – regular (density is 16-35 kg per cubic meter) | Due to its low price, most manufacturers use it directly. But the service life of such a filler will be a year. This type of furniture is suitable for a garden. |
| EL – high rigidity (density – 25-40 kg per cubic meter) | The filler should not be used for upholstered furniture. |
| HL – hard (density – 25-40 kg per cubic meter) | This type is used for office and home furniture. Suitable for those who prefer to relax on hard surfaces. This filler should not be used for children. |
| HS – soft (density – 20-45 kg per cubic meter) | Furniture with such filling is used for relaxation and as a sleeping place. |
| HR – increased elasticity (density – 30-50 kg per cubic meter) | Ideal for upholstered furniture. Foam rubber has a second name - artificial latex, since this component is added during its production. |
| HR* – increased elasticity with high level comfort (density – 30-55 kg per cubic meter) | Most best option in the manufacture of upholstered furniture. |
Foam rubber HL4065 with increased rigidity is a hard filler for seats and mattresses, indispensable in the production of intensively used furniture
Furniture foam rubber HS 3530 has soft properties and is suitable for sleeping areas
Latex foam rubber brand HR – artificial material With high degree elasticity
Features of upholstery of upholstered furniture
During use, furniture becomes unsuitable for further use, and it is not always possible to purchase new furniture. Basically, the upholstery wears out, fades, tears - it all depends on how quality material. Sofas trimmed with leatherette may become unusable within a few months. What to do in such a situation?
The appearance of the sofa has changed dramatically after restoration
Today, a service such as restoration of upholstered furniture at the owner’s home is available everywhere, so you can make a new one from an old sofa. After all, you will not only change the upholstery, but also repair many parts.
Soft sofa before and after replacing the upholstery and filling in the seat cushions
If you have a pet that has ruined the upholstery material, this problem can be solved using the above method. Of course, the work of a specialist is not a cheap pleasure. You can replace the upholstery yourself. As a rule, each part is worked on separately. If you are not satisfied with these options, you can purchase a special furniture cover in stores - this will preserve the original coating and increase its service life.
A beautiful cover for a corner sofa will help you fit existing furniture into any interior.
Of course, any thing must be treated carefully, so if various stains appear, we try to remove them immediately. But this is not always the case, especially when there are small children in the house. Leather-covered furniture is much easier to care for than textiles - this material has moisture-repellent properties. Therefore, at the time of cleaning, it is enough to wipe with a cloth.
We remove stains from upholstered furniture using accessible methods
From this article you learned a lot of new things about foam rubber; if you decide to change the filling in your sofa, it will not be difficult for you to choose the appropriate option.
Foam rubber is a modern furniture filler
Video: Furniture foam rubber VE5020 memory (memory) - with memory
It's time to replace the filling for the sofa and you don't know which one to choose? We recommend sticking with foam rubber. This material is one of the safest and cheapest sofa fillers. In this article we will tell you how to choose foam rubber for a sofa and how to replace it.
Why you should choose foam rubber for a sofa
Foam rubber has many positive traits, such as:
- able to not produce dust or become moldy;
- is a hypoallergenic material;
- retains its shape well during use;
- under influence high temperatures its elasticity remains the same.
You can use foam rubber whole or only its pieces, which can be preserved from the production of higher quality furniture. It is better to use solid material as the stuffing of the sofa, since previously used pieces may become unusable sooner. In order for the furniture to last longer, foam rubber can be combined with other fillers, such as a spring block.
If furniture is used frequently, such filler may lose its properties due to heavy load and the furniture will look worn out. In order to return it to its former convenience and comfortable use, it needs to be replaced. This filler is distinguished by hardness, elasticity and density. The density of foam rubber affects its service life and, accordingly, its quality. In order to determine the level of rigidity of the material, it must be squeezed tightly.
In the furniture industry, standard foam rubber (ST) and increased rigidity (EL) are often used. The standard one has a density of 25 kg/m3 and its rigidity is comfortable. In order to determine the density and hardness of a material, you need to look at its brand, for example ST3542, where the first two digits indicate its density, and the last two indicate its hardness index. This material will last at least 10 years.
For furniture with expected loads of 90-100 kg. use foam rubber of increased rigidity, for example brand EL2240, which is the most common today due to its optimal ratio prices and quality. It is used as a filler for inexpensive furniture with a service life of no more than 5 years, as well as for children's mattresses.
EL2842 has a longer service life and can be used for up to 10 years. It has greater rigidity and is suitable for sofas, sleeping places, office chairs and so on. The density of 30 kg/m3 will allow you to sit or lie on it comfortably and comfortably; it will also allow the material not to sag for a long time.
If you want the furniture to last longer, then the density of the filler should be higher. It is worth noting that the density of the material used for the armrests and backrest may be lower than that for what will fill the seat. For a sofa that will be used as a sleeping place, the thickness of the filling should be at least 4 cm.
The cost of filler, like any other product, depends on its quality. Foam rubber for a sofa can be bought in construction stores, and you can find pieces of it from furniture manufacturers either in their warehouses or in online stores.
How to choose foam rubber for a sofa
For different types For furniture, you can choose different foam options:
- Sofa-sofa. Budget option for the seat filler the brand EL2240 can be used. But if you are interested in a harder and more durable filler, then it is better to stop at EL2842. In order to supplement the spring block, you will need to purchase a solid sheet of foam rubber with a thickness of 3-4 centimeters. Felt, which should be placed on the springs, can increase the service life of such furniture and protect the foam filling from the action of springs. Its density should be 800 g/m2. If foam rubber fills the entire soft part of the furniture, then you should choose the EL2842 or ST3542 brand, which has a thickness of at least 10 cm. For a sofa with a standard soft sleeping place, whose load does not exceed 90 kg, you can use the ST3542 brand. For the remaining parts of the sofa, you can use a different brand of filler.
- Sofa book. This type of sofa can be made using foam rubber alone or in combination with a spring block. Since their design resembles a sofa, the same brands of fillers can be used here.
- Corner sofa. This sofa has different transformation mechanisms and designs. In order to ensure the comfort of furniture that has a “sedaflex” mechanism, which is a soft part that can be called a set of pillows, you should choose ST3542 brand foam rubber. The thickness of the mattress of a sleeping place with such a mechanism usually does not exceed 10 cm. In order to replace the mattress filler, you should use EL2842 foam rubber for a hard sleeping place or ST3542 for a standard one. To replace a sagging seat in a sofa with a “dolphin” mechanism, you should use a material 8-10 cm thick, its density should not be lower than 25 kg/m3. For economical option you can choose EL2540, but we recommend the higher quality EL2842 or the softer ST3542.
- Sofas for guests. Guest sofas can be equipped with different mechanisms for transforming into a sleeping place. Foam rubber is suitable for them as for corner sofas or furniture with “dolphin” or “sedaflex” mechanisms. Which brand to choose depends on your financial capabilities.
- Kitchen Area. To repair Kitchen Area in a kitchen made of chipboard or having a wooden frame, it is recommended to use a filler with a thickness of 2-3 centimeters of the EL2842 brand, and for a soft corner you can use a material with a thickness of 4-6 centimeters of the EL2842 or ST3542 brand.
How to replace foam rubber in a sofa
Having chosen a suitable filler, it needs to be replaced. Below we will tell you how to change the foam in a sofa with your own hands. First you need to figure out what work needs to be done: re-upholster the entire sofa or replace only the foam. Take a good look at the furniture and evaluate how worn the filling is different places. Most often, depression occurs in the seat, but let's assume that you need to replace the sofa in all areas.
To do this, you need to remove all its elements from the furniture. We recommend capturing the disassembly process in a photo or video - this way it will be easier to put everything back together. Then, if possible, remove or open the upholstery and remove the old foam. In addition to it, there may be other elements, such as felt or padding polyester, which should also be replaced, so take this into account in advance.
Sometimes manufacturers provide seats and cushions with zippers to make it easier to change the filling. But if they are not there, then you will need to rip out the seams and then sew them back together. To remove elements on a plywood backing, such as the back, you will need to remove the fastening elements. This can be done using an anti-stapler.
After removing the upholstery material, you need to take out the old filler and use it to pattern a new one. After cutting out new sheets, place them in place of the old ones and secure with new fasteners. The upholstery material can first be sent for cleaning and stains, if any, can be removed. Next, we put the upholstery back in its original place. To keep it tight, you should press firmly on the foam while attaching the upholstery to the base - this will help it straighten out when the upholstery material is in place, and will add elasticity to the seat. After repeating the process with the remaining parts of the sofa, you will need to assemble it to its original state.
Now you know how to choose the right foam rubber and replace it in the sofa with your own hands. All that remains is to go to the store for a new filler.
For many consumers, the discovery will be the fact that foam rubber and polyurethane foam are the same thing! Correct name material – soft polyurethane foam (PPU). Several decades ago in Soviet Union it was supplied by the Norwegian company Porolon, so the name became a household name.
Typical filler requirements:
- Elasticity and resilience.
- Restoring shape after exercise.
Hence the often skeptical attitude towards foam rubber products: they are short-lived, quickly “sag”, old foam rubber crumbles. Its main disadvantage is considered to be flammability; when burning, toxic gas is released.
The qualitative characteristics of the material changed at the end of the 20th century, when various additives began to be added to the composition, which affected the density, elasticity, flammability, etc. Nowadays, polyurethane foam is used in the manufacture of the vast majority of mattresses.
Which one is used?
The material is used in a variety of fields, for different needs selected according to certain characteristics. For mattresses, the density of foam rubber is important; the service life of the product depends on it. They use polyurethane foam with a density from 25 to 40 kg/m3. The density is indicated by two numbers after two letters in the name, the next two numbers indicate the hardness index.
Mattresses are made from the following types of foam rubber:
Damage to foam mattresses
Are there any health risks from polyurethane foam mattresses? Foam mattresses have been made for decades, and the controversy over their harmfulness will not subside. And there are reasons for these disputes: synthetic “origin” and low orthopedic properties. You can see reviews of polyurethane foam mattresses.
The material is made from synthetic components. They emit volatile substances with an unpleasant “chemical” odor. And some cheap models, manufactured in violation of technology, retain it for a long time, or even the smell does not disappear at all. The substances released are hazardous to health, just like those released when a mattress burns. But it has not been proven how harmful the released substances are in minimal quantities.
The video shows the density of foam rubber for a mattress:
Harm has not been proven, so polyurethane is the most common material for the production of mattresses.
Its advantages contribute to this:
- Doesn't burn on its own. Combustion is supported by another source of fire.
- Quickly restores its shape.
- Affordable for many.
- Low thermal conductivity.
- Vapor-tight.
- Waterproof.
- Easy to transport.
- Easy to care for.
The harm of foam mattresses also lies in their low orthopedic properties. Doctors insist that the sleeping place should be quite hard. Therefore, mattresses are equipped with an independent block of springs, a layer of coconut coir and other “devices”. And the usual foam version is often soft, bends greatly, which leads to curvature of the spine. The body does not always rest well on soft things; in the morning there may be numbness in the limbs, muscle stiffness, and tingling in them. The result, at a minimum, is poor health and a bad mood. And the maximum is problems with the spine.
Dimensions
The size of the mattress must match the size of the sleeping area.
In product sizes different manufacturers there can be a significant difference. For example, in the USA it is customary to indicate the dimensions of mattresses in inches. An American mattress will not be suitable for beds made according to European standards. Hence the recommendation: choose a mattress and bed from the same country of origin, and ideally from the same manufacturer.
Mattresses are produced for children and adults. But what size should a standard mattress be? The standard sizes of a double mattress for adults are of two types in length: 190 and 200 cm. The size of a mattress for a single bed in width is 70 or 90 cm. The size of a 1.5 double bed is 120 cm. Depending on the size, it is suitable for a “double bed” mattress 140 x 200 or 200 x 200. The sizes of one-and-a-half bed linen for the bed can be viewed.
Children's mattresses are produced standard sizes: 120 x 60, 140 x 60, 140 x 70.
Non-standard mattresses are made to order according to the required dimensions.
An example of a non-standard foam mattress.
If there is a side around the perimeter of the bed, measure its height; the mattress should be at least a couple of centimeters higher!
Kinds
Foam mattresses are divided into types depending on the degree of rigidity of the products:
- Soft. Reminiscent of a cozy downy feather bed. Comfortable, but harmful to the spine.
- Medium hardness. They restore their shape quite quickly and provide normal support to the spine.
- Hard. This orthopedic mattresses, their rigidity is provided by additional components (coconut coir or independent springs).
Highly elastic elastic foam is used for the mattress. It is also called artificial latex or latex foam rubber.
How to do it yourself?
Everyone needs a new mattress from time to time. And many people can do it themselves. This could be an option for the dacha. And it happens that the fabric on the mattress is still good, but the foam has already sagged.
You will need:
- Foam rubber.
- Mattress cover material.
- Felt.
- Glue for foam rubber.
If preserved spring blocks V good condition, then it is enough to replace only the pieces of foam rubber with new parts.
Work algorithm:
- Lay foam rubber on the floor and cover it with felt.
- Glue pieces of foam rubber to the sides to hide the springs.
- On top, when the glue dries, put felt, and then foam rubber.
- The final step is to insert the foam into the case.
If you need a new mattress without springs, you first need to decide on its size. Purchase foam rubber with the required parameters. Then sew a mattress cover. When cutting, take seam allowances into account. All that remains is to place the polyurethane foam in the case.
Video of a DIY foam mattress:
Manufacturers, cost of products
- Askona(Ascona). This company is the largest and famous manufacturer mattresses in Russia. The plant is located in the Vladimir region. Releases several lines. Many models use artificial latex. Askona mattresses and mattress covers are quite expensive, because brand fame and advertising are included in the price. Taking advantage of the promotional offer, you can buy a PU foam mattress for a single bed measuring 90 x 190 for 4,000 rubles. But there are offers of products with the same parameters, using polyurethane foam, costing up to 13,000 rubles. and higher.
- Consul. Production is located in Moscow. They produce different products price category. Cheap springless models - from 10,000 rubles. It is very profitable to purchase a mattress on sale, with a good discount!
- Toris. The plant is located in the Murom region. The price of the products is much lower than that of competitors: a mattress measuring 90 x 190, 8 cm high costs about 3,000 rubles, depending on the thickness the price also increases.
Attention! When choosing a mattress, carefully study the reviews on the forums!
- ORMATEK. Enterprise in the Ivanovo region. Ormatek is a worthy competitor famous brands. The cost of a mattress for a “single bed” is 7,000 rubles. Again, it’s cheaper to buy on sale.