INSIDE OUR CUSHIONS
We use 32 kg/m³ high-resilience polyurethane foam. It is what separates a cushion that holds its shape for ten years from one that dents in three.
OUR FOAM
High-Resilience polyurethane isn't a marketing word. It's a manufacturing process. HR foam has a more open, more elastic cell structure than standard PU — which means it bounces back when you stand up instead of slowly deforming. The trade calls it the spring of the foam.
Density is grams of foam per cubic metre. Higher density means more polymer in the same volume — more material to do the work of holding your weight. The residential commodity tier sits between 18 and 22 kg/m³. Mid-tier is 25–28. Premium HR foam is 32+. We picked 32 because it is the lowest density at which we will put our name on a cushion that gets daily use.
Independent foam-industry data: 1.2 lb/ft³ commodity foam (≈19 kg/m³) shows visible compression set in 2–4 years. Premium HR at 32+ is rated for 10–15 years of daily use before measurable shape loss. We back ours accordingly.
32 kg/m³ is residential premium. Marine and contract — yachts, hotel lobbies, theatre seating — sometimes spec 35–50 kg/m³ because of constant rotation and weather. For a home or showroom cushion sat on every day, 32 is the sweet spot of comfort, longevity, and weight.
CERTIFIED
Foam tested for low VOC emissions, no phthalates, no heavy metals, no ozone depleters.
Every component tested against ~1,000 harmful substances. Safe for a baby's room.
Combustion Modified High Resilience for hospitality, contract, marine. Same foam, certified to BS 5852 Crib 5.
THE NUMBERS
| Density | What it is | Typical ILD | Realistic lifespan | Best for | The catch |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 kg/m³ | Pillow / decorative fill | 12–18 | 1–2 years | Throw pillows, packaging | Crushes flat under sitting weight |
| 18 kg/m³ | Budget seat foam | 20–28 | 2–4 years | Flat-pack sofas, occasional chairs | Visible sag by year three |
| 22 kg/m³ | Mid-tier residential | 25–32 | 4–6 years | Mass-market sofas | Softens noticeably with daily use |
| 28 kg/m³ | Good seat foam | 28–36 | 6–10 years | Quality residential seating | Still standard PU — less spring than HR |
|
32 kg/m³ HR
FOAMERA |
FOAMERA standard | 30–40 | 10–15 years | Premium daily-use seats, sofas, banquettes | Heavier — your cushion will weigh more |
| 36–40 kg/m³ HR | Contract / medical | 35–45 | 15–20 years | Hospital, theatre, yacht | Often firmer than residential comfort |
ILD (Indentation Load Deflection) is firmness, not density. They are independent — a high-density foam can be soft, a low-density foam can be firm. Density tells you how long it lasts. ILD tells you how it feels on day one.
STANDARDS
Rebond is shredded scrap glued back into a block. Cheap, dense, rigid — and it sheds dust over time.
Some imported foams carry retardants linked to endocrine disruption. CertiPUR-US screens these out at the chemistry level — that's the certification's whole point.
Outdoor seating uses reticulated dry-fast foam — open-cell so water drains in minutes. Separate option, separate spec.
COMMON QUESTIONS
DNS is the European shorthand for density in kg/m³. Our seat foam weighs 32 kilograms per cubic metre. Higher density = more polymer = longer life.
No. Density and firmness are separate. Two cushions can both be 32 kg/m³ and feel completely different. We pick a medium-firm ILD (around 35) for daily-use seats — supportive but not hard.
With normal residential use, our 32 kg/m³ HR foam holds its shape for 10–15 years. The cover will likely show wear before the foam does.
Yes. CertiPUR-US and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified — the same standards used for infant nursery products.
Yes. Same density, different ILD. Tell us how you sit and we'll match it.
Outdoor uses a different foam: open-cell reticulated dry-fast, treated antimicrobial. Separate spec — ask us.
SAMPLES
Order a foam + fabric sample box. We post 6 swatches and a small foam piece. £/$0 — refundable on first order.
