Upholstered furniture can last through multiple generations if properly cared for, especially the older pieces built with solid construction. A regular professional cleaning can keep the fabric looking nice. But after years of use, some repairs and upholstery foam replacement will keep it comfortable as well as good looking.
An experienced, professional upholstery service knows the areas to inspect for safety and durability. Proper reupholstery will include a thorough inspection of each area as the fabric is removed. This often includes the frame, webbing, and springs.
But one obvious reason why a chair loses its comfort are the cushions. Deterioration of the upholstery foam is natural with time and usage. But once the cushion foam is replaced, it often gives new life to the chair. Foam replacement may be needed if:
- The cushions are aged – ten years or more with normal use can indicate a replacement is needed.
- The front edge of the cushion no longer holds the same shape of the remaining cushion area. Since a cushion front experiences more wear as the chair is used, this area may appear rounded or squashed flatter than the rest of the seat area.
- Thin spots – if the seat starts feeling lumpy or thin in areas, there may be additional rubbing on the frame, webbing or springs that causes breakdown of the cushion material.
Quality of upholstery foam
Not all foam is alike, and selecting the wrong type will cause the cushions to start an early sag. Consult with an expert to determine the right foam for each area of your chair. The seat might require one type while the back and arms a completely different type of cushion.
Three performance areas for upholstery foam include high resilient, density, and compression.
- High Resilient foam is produced to be longer lasting, and is also often fire resistant. Commercial and public areas may require specific HR/FR ratings for upholstered furniture. An upholstery specialist will know which types of foam are required for these locations.
- Foam Density is sometimes described as the weight, or how much material is included in the piece. A high-density foam will have less air, more polyurethane, and would last longer.
- Firmness or compression is measured by how much pressure will compress the foam to one-quarter of its thickness. So, the higher compression level usually means a firmer cushion. However, when paired up with the density values, it can feel differently, depending on the scores in each area.
When selecting foam for a chair reupholstery, the various combinations of density and compression determine the proper foam for each area. The seat should be more firm than the chair back, which is usually a bit cushier. In this case, different foams are used.
Sometimes, the cushions may also be wrapped in Dacron batting to add an additional layer of softness and height. This helps protect the fabric backing from abrasive contact with the foam.
One further consideration is the product cost. Consult with an upholstery expert to find the right material required for the job. Buying a low-cost upholstery foam usually results in faster deterioration.
Researching a furniture reupholstery service might include questions about the types of upholstery foam used in their work. You may also ask about frame and joint repairs, replacing webbing and retying springs. Finally, an environmentally-conscious business also reduces costs by recycling old foam.
If Grandma’s favorite reading chair was passed on to your family, but doesn’t feel as comfy as it used to, you may want to fix a few areas. Contact D&N Upholstery to take care of the upholstery foam in Grandma’s chair and all your favorite furniture.