Polyurethane foam is a porous substance made from synthetic polymers. People often use the name “foam rubber”. PPU is used as a filler for sofas and other furniture. High-quality material is characterized by high elasticity and density. If you are interested in specific brands, the following are usually used:
- ST 2236 - designed for a load of up to 60 kg, short service life;
- ST 2536 - provides a hard surface and can withstand up to 100 kg of load;
- ST 3540 is a brand of high-quality polyurethane foam, durable and designed for heavy weight.
Advantages of PPU:
- High-quality, dense polyurethane foam serves faithfully for more than 15 years.
- Products made from it have the highest level of hygiene: they do not retain moisture, dry quickly and do not rot; are not a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and mold fungi; do not accumulate dust and dust mites. There are practically no insects in them.
- The material does not cause allergic reactions even in the most sensitive people and infants. Does not emit toxic substances when heated and exposed to ultraviolet radiation. It is completely safe for the health of people and pets.
- Quickly returns to its original shape even after extreme compression. Does not deform over time.
- The polyurethane foam surface easily adapts to the contours of the body, perfectly relieving muscle tension and stress from the spine and joints. This sofa provides complete rest and a comfortable night's sleep, no worse than on specialized orthopedic mattresses.
- Thanks to the porous structure, the entire internal contents of the sofa cushions are perfectly ventilated. Air and moisture do not stagnate, which increases the service life of the products.
- It serves as an excellent insulator, so a PPU mattress is always warm and cozy.
Main characteristics
We found out that PPU filler and foam rubber are the same thing. The material is widely used for sofas.
By the way, I have already talked about polyurethane foam mattresses separately, and also discussed the possibility of making simple mattresses from foam rubber with my own hands.
PU sofas are distinguished by the fact that there are no coil springs or other wire blocks in the design. The entire space is occupied by polyurethane foam.
When choosing PU foam filler for a sofa, pillows and other items, focus on the following characteristics:
- Convenience
. This is a priority indicator. During operation, it is important that dents do not form under the human body. In cheap PU sofas this is a disease. Therefore, the quality of the filler must be high. Medium and high-level products are manufactured using special technologies. They are stiffer and also more elastic. They last longer. Can return to their original shape; - Build quality
. The PU foam filler is not inferior in quality and performance characteristics to furniture models with spring blocks. They can be used in any room. Springs may begin to rust when installed in the kitchen or in rooms with high humidity; - Duration of service
. Roughly, PPU lasts for 8 years or more. But at a certain point, the chemical decomposition of polyurethane foam begins. It is irreversible. The released substances become harmful. Therefore, inexpensive models usually do not last more than 10 years. Or you need to completely replace the filler; - Price
. One of the main features of PU foam filling for sofas is the price of the furniture. Good models cost from 10 thousand rubles. An analogue with spring blocks will cost more.
Based on these characteristics, you can decide whether PPU filler is suitable for you or not.
Varieties
In the production of sofas, different types of polyurethane foam can be used as filler.
There are the following varieties, as well as types of polyurethane foam:
- Standard
. It is marked ST. Suitable for sofas with a load of up to 80 kilograms. Mainly used for office chairs, backrests, and armchairs; - Increased rigidity
. Or increased density. There are EL and HL markings here. They can withstand loads of up to 100 and more than 100 kg. Recommended for installation in orthopedic mattresses, sofas, as well as folding chairs and children's furniture. They perform well during active use; - Soft
. Withstands a load of no more than 60 kg. Mainly used in additional elements of sofas. These are pillows, headboards, and armrests; - Highly elastic
. It is marked HR. Used in expensive furniture.
Read what the density of foam rubber says in this article
PU foam differs in class and physical and chemical properties.
Also in furniture production, block and cast polyurethane foam can be used in the manufacture of sofas.
Block material is supplied in large blocks. At a furniture factory, polyurethane foam is cut into the required sizes and thickness, and then the sofa padding is formed.
Molded PU foam sheets are solid products that are made in special molds for a specific furniture configuration. The advantage of this method is that there is no waste. Not suitable for non-standard shaped sofas.
Minuses
Let's talk about what polyurethane foam looks like. It is a hardened foam with or without small pores, depending on the type of mixing. But it also has disadvantages:
- • Does not withstand constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation. It is necessary to protect from direct sunlight. The covering should be attached on top.
- • Apply only to dry and warm surfaces. Before application, the wall or floor should be cleaned of debris and rust to enhance adhesion.
Does not burn, but can smolder when exposed to high temperatures. Thermal insulation will deteriorate, so it is not recommended to use it in baths, saunas and stoves.
Want to understand foams better? Please!
There are few main technical properties of the foam - only 3 pieces. This:
- Foam grade (ST, EL, HR, HS, LR, HL) - characterizes the formulation and elasticity properties of the foam;
- Foam density - the amount of material per cubic meter, kg/m3 (kilogram in 1 cubic meter), is responsible for the reliability and price of the material.
- Foam hardness index - measured by pressure per m2 in kPa at 40% compression.
However, the line of polyurethane foams is very diverse; in the world you can find more than 50 different combinations of brand/density/hardness of foam - and each option is unique and has different properties from the others.
Characteristics and quality indicators: how to choose a sofa with decent polyurethane foam
How to buy good upholstered furniture filled with high-quality polyurethane foam? First, we look at an indicator such as density. Then you need to check the product yourself before purchasing it in a store.
Density of polyurethane foam
The most important indicator of the quality of polyurethane foam is its density. The denser the filler, the higher its quality and reliability. The optimal value is 30 kg/m3. If the density is lower, it is better to take a closer look at more expensive products. The denser the material, the more durable the furniture will be. But the cost of a sofa with high-density foam will be higher.
Low-density polyurethane foam is often used in backrests and armrests. There is no need to pay attention to this: manufacturers save money, but the sleeping place is of the greatest importance.
The thickness of the polyurethane foam should be 4 cm. Even 3 cm is extremely small for a high-quality filler.
Other factors confirming quality
So, what should polyurethane foam be for a sofa?
- medium in terms of hardness : a too soft option will seem more comfortable at first glance, but the orthopedic properties will be much worse;
- the presence of a homogeneous cellular structure : it is not possible to evaluate - find out about this from the seller in the furniture store or from the manufacturer;
- the ability to quickly return to its original state immediately after pressing : the sofa should not sag.
What is important to check:
- availability of a certificate of conformity : manufacturers of upholstered furniture are required to confirm quality;
- if the sofa has a removable cover, you need to remove it and evaluate the quality of the filling;
- check additional materials, their combination with polyurethane foam, which is often used as one of the layers.
Price policy
It should be noted that polyurethane foam is much cheaper than high-quality spring filler. The key point in this matter is the quality of the springs themselves, which are not so easy to find. For example, the Bonnel model belongs to the category of outdated designs, so finding it on the markets is very problematic.
The quality of polyurethane foam is also important for its durability. Therefore, in both cases, saving on buying a sofa with high-quality padding will mean the loss of restful sleep, back pain, etc.
Therefore, it is very important to test the sofa, check its elasticity, the absence of holes on the surface and other things. Springs and screws should not protrude from the structure in different directions and be dangerous to use
In addition, in cases where it is almost impossible to look inside the sofa, documentation will become an assistant. The product quality certificate, which should be mandatory in all retail outlets, will be a good source of useful information for you. This document fully describes all the characteristics of upholstered furniture of a particular model that you are going to purchase. Structural elements, fillers, material from which the lining is made - all this is reflected in the certificate
In addition, it contains information about manufacturing technology, which is so important when determining the service life of furniture
So, to summarize, it should be noted that both filler options have a number of advantages. However, when giving preference to one option or another, you still need to remember the main indicator that always influences the choice - the quality of components. Only if high-quality materials are used, furniture can serve you for a long time.
Let's sum it up
For sofas, PU foam filling is in many ways the optimal solution. It is superior to spring analogues in a number of parameters.
Yes, it has its drawbacks. But there are also significant advantages.
For those interested, in this article you can look at PPU from a more technical point of view. Characteristics of the material, as well as the nuances of its production.
What do you think is the best filling for a sofa? Why did you choose this or that option? What other pros and cons can you highlight?
That's all for me, so I'll say goodbye. Thank you for your attention!
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Beneficial features
Like any other material, foam has its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages:
- • Lightness. Used in attics, roofs, light buildings. Doesn't make the structure heavy.
- • Does not require fastening elements or additional parts.
- • There are no “cold bridges”. Seamless thermal insulation.
- • Quick to apply. There is no need to prepare additionally or spend hours near the construction site.
- • You can work with the material at temperatures from -200 to +200 degrees.
- • Withstands changes in temperature and humidity, resistant to frost and heat.
- • Does not react to most alkalis, acids and salts.
- • Excellent surface grip.
In liquid form it is suitable for filling voids. Fills spaces between walls without dismantling ceilings - it simply pours into the hole.
Which sofa filler is better - polyurethane foam or spring block?
This article will help you understand the design features of spring and polyurethane foam sofas. You will learn what their strengths and weaknesses are. As a result, you will be able to choose the best furniture option based on the most important criteria.
What kind of material is this
Polyurethane foam is one of the types of polystyrene foam (gas-filled plastic). It is produced by foaming a liquid composition, which then hardens.
Polyurethane foam consists of a large number of cells filled with gas - pure carbon dioxide, air or some other. The thermal insulation properties of this material are explained by the fact that it consists of ninety-eight percent gas filling the cells. The remaining small percentage is the solid material itself.
Polyurethane foam furniture can be made in two ways.
- In the first case, parts of the required shape are immediately cast from the material.
- In the second, blocks in the shape of a cube or cylinder are first created, from which blanks are then cut.
The first method is most convenient for assembling sofas, armchairs and other upholstered furniture. This is explained simply.
- Individual molds are used to create parts. Therefore, all parts of the furniture turn out identical and even. No further processing is required.
- When manufactured in this way, the density of the material increases.
But in the production of mattresses, block polyurethane foam is used. Thus, the mattress has less weight, has higher air permeability and the necessary moisture exchange.
Types of fillers
Classical
Spring filler is used for making sofas
Modern
A spring block with independent springs “pocket spring” (NPB) is also made of metal springs, but of a different, barrel-shaped shape. Each of them is, as it were, enclosed in its own case made of dense material and is in no way connected with the others. The diameter of the springs is no more than 5-6 cm, and their density is 250 pieces per sq.m. An independent spring block looks like a “sandwich” and uses additional materials (spunbond, felt, foam rubber, padding polyester, and others). The advantage of such a filler is: excellent wear resistance, reliability, high orthopedic effect, the ability to withstand significant loads, a smooth surface and uniform weight distribution. The cost of a sofa with airbags is quite high. Such upholstered furniture is multifunctional and intended for constant relaxation and is the best filling for a sofa for sleeping.
The block of independent springs has orthopedic characteristics
Furniture polyurethane foam (PPU)
Nowadays it is becoming an alternative to spring blocks. The surface of the sofa is much harder, approximately 30-40 kg per sq.m. The higher the density of the polyurethane foam, the longer the service life of the sofa or chair. This material easily withstands high loads and quickly restores its shape. It is best if the polyurethane foam is installed on a base of lamellas, which reduce rigidity and provide comfort. However, over time, actively used areas sag and spoil the appearance of the furniture. This occurs due to temperature changes from heating and cooling. The advantages of polyurethane foam include: long service life, complete safety and environmental friendliness of the material, perfectly balanced level of softness/hardness, good air and moisture exchange. Therefore, this polyurethane foam filling of the sofa is used on all types of upholstered furniture.
Natural filler
The highest quality material is considered to be latex filler . This is a natural hypoallergenic and safe material. Main properties: high flexibility and elasticity, no subsidence, highly elastic and soft at the same time, lasts quite a long time and does not collapse at all. The disadvantage is the high price of this filler. In recent years, it has begun to be used as an additional element that increases the elasticity of sofa springs.
The latex block is very elastic
Nonwoven materials
Based on my experience and logic, I can say that everyone has taste, experience and opinion. Many manufacturers, in an effort to save money, tend to replace high-quality materials, so when buying a sofa, have a good conversation with the seller and make sure that the contents of the sofa are of high quality!
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