The Buyer’s Guide to Seat Foam

Whenever you unwind on your sofa or armchair, it’s the seat foam that provides that cushioned comfort needed to truly relax. But with so many different types of foam available to buy, how can you be sure which is the best one for your seating application? With our handy buyer’s guide to seating foam, choosing the right foam should no longer be a problem. Of course, if you still aren’t sure which type of foam to choose, you can always contact us for advice.

Understanding Seat Foam

Seat foam is the term we use to describe any type suitable for upholstery seating applications. There are many different types of foam available that meet these requirements, so understanding which type is right for you is very important.

An upholstery foam that’s too soft won’t offer the right level of support, whereas one that’s too firm will sometimes feel uncomfortable to sit on. Taking this into consideration, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the best seating foam would be one with a medium feel; but that’s not always right.

When choosing the right foam for seats, it’s very important to consider how thick you need the piece of foam to be. This will help determine whether you should be opting for a foam that’s soft, medium, firm or in some cases, extremely firm.

Is Foam Density Important?

It’s a common misconception that foam density is what determines how soft or hard a piece of foam will feel. For example, you may think that a foam with a medium density will be a medium-feeling foam, but this isn’t always true.

In fact, despite offering a wide range of foams from very soft to very hard, the seating foams we stock are all considered high density.

Density is a better indicator of quality and longevity, rather than firmness. High density foam generally last much longer and are of a much better quality than foam with a low density.

So, when choosing a suitable foam for your seats, you should always opt for a high density upholstery foam.

Differentiating Foam by Feel

Let’s take a closer look at some of the foam we sell here at GB Foam Direct. We have a wide selection on our website available as upholstery foam sheets and as cut to size parts.

Luxury Firm Foam GB 39H

This is the best choice for thinner cushions, often seen in dining chairs, caravan seats, and boat furnishings. It’s recommended for cushion thicknesses between 1” – 4”. It’s usually less suited for thicker seat pads and cushions over 4” as it might feel excessively hard for the user.

Luxury Medium Sofa Foam GB 41M

This is generally perfect for cushions that are 4″ (10cm) or thicker. It’s the recommended choice if you’re replacing cushions previously filled with fibre, offering an ideal balance of comfort and support.

Luxury Soft Sofa Foam GB 39S

This foam tends to be a great choice for back cushions, serving as an excellent replacement for either fibre-filled or foam back cushions. It’s usually not recommended for seat cushions.

Best Value Seating Foam

For those looking for the best value seat foam, without compromising on quality, we also offer a range of high-density upholstery foams through our “Average” collection. These are a great choice if you’re looking for a reliable seat foam at a lower price.

Average Firm GB 33H

Suitable for many seating applications, from dining chairs to camper vans. Recommended for cushion thicknesses between 1” – 4”.

Average Medium GB 33M

Great for sofa cushions over 4” thick. It provides a balanced comfort level at a budget-friendly price.

Average Soft GB 33S

In most cases, this foam is not advised for use as a seating cushion, but it’s a popular solution for back cushions on sofas, armchairs, etc.

Seat Foam Fire Safety

You should always ensure that the foam you’re buying conforms to UK Fire Safety regulations to guarantee that it is safe for use. That means only ever sourcing your foam from a reputable supplier that you know you can trust.

Here at GB Foam, all of our seating foams exceed UK fire safety regs, so you can shop with confidence on our website, knowing that the foam you’re buying is of the highest quality.

Seat Foam Cutting

With GB Foam Direct, you don’t need to cut your seat foam. Our fast and simple foam cut to size service allows you to specify what shape and size you need your foam to be. We use professional-grade machinery to cut your foam, helping to ensure clean and accurate cuts. We also offer next working day delivery or a same day collection service.

Making the Right Choice

It’s important to note that the foam uses in our guides are only recommendations based on more than 45 years of service to the foam industry. Personal preferences and requirements do vary from person to person, so you should always factor this in when choosing the right seat foam for your project.

Our team of experts are always happy to help you find the perfect foam. Whether you need replacement sofa cushions, custom cut window seat foam, replacement dining seat pads, campervan cushions or something else entirely, feel free to reach out whenever you need it.

For more information on the upholstery foams we offer for seats, please visit our dedicated seat foam product page.