Complete Guide: How to Distinguish Between Different Qualities of Foam?

Today, we will look at different points that will allow you to know better the foams proposed by Club Tissus.

Thanks to the arrival of the internet we live in a time where information is available to all, which allows us to make our research about the products we want before buying it. However, sometimes it can be complicated to unravel the myths from reality, or to find the right product that will meet our expectations and needs.

Health and environmental standards

One thing you must know about our foams is that they are all exclusively Canadian products. Unlike other countries, including China, Canada has very strict rules about chemicals, especially those used as a flame retardant. Also, unlike some products from Asia, which are sometimes found in manufactured products as well, our foams do not contain any phthalates. Since 2005 TDCPP and PBDE are no longer used in the manufacturing process of fireproof foams, because they could potentially be toxic. Also since 2013, all flame retardant foams are made with halogen-free products, which is less harmful to our health and the environment.

What are the foams composed of

Foams used in upholstery projects are essentially polyurethanes. Polyurethane is a polymer obtained by the chemical reaction between various polyols and diisocyanates.  These two components are derived from petroleum chemistry. The fire retardant or antimicrobial agent can then be incorporated into the mixture during the manufacturing process.

Understand the difference between density and firmness

Since your decision is most likely going to be based on the durability, use and comfort, it is important to distinguish and understand the difference between the density and firmness in our foams. A product with a softer comfort is not necessarily of lower quality than one with a more rigid comfort. Two products can have the same density but have different pressure resistance.  This means that depending on their manufacture, at equal density, some products will be more flexible and other more firm.  

Density

Basically the density is the quality of the product, which will determine its durability over time. This also means that the heavier the mass, the higher the quality. The density index is calculated by the number of pounds per cubic foot. (lbs/ft.3)  

Firmness

The firmness is the level of comfort of the foam. The firmness is calculated by the index of pressure necessary for the complete depression of the foam before it returns to its original shape. The higher the index, the firmer the foam will be, and the lower the index is the softer the foam is. The firmness index is calculated as the number of pounds of pressure applied on a surface of 50 square inches.  (lbs/50 in.2)

This completes the most frequently asked information when buying foam. We hope to have better enlighten you on the subject, and why not, give you the taste to embark on an upholstery project!