All marine fabricators who provide products for cushions, bedding and headliners face decisions on the best foam for the application. The right decision ensures quality projects and happy customers. The wrong decision contributes to foam failures.
Cheaper can cost more
Less expensive foams may seem like a good deal until you realize they can deteriorate far more quickly than pricier foams because they may include fillers and additives such as sawdust and soybean oil.
I saw this firsthand some years ago during the oil crisis when prices for petroleum-based products (like foam) shot through the roof. One supplier offered a less expensive marine foam that was not yet “captain” recommended—a definite red flag. Two years later we were contacted by a new customer to replace the deteriorated foam from that supplier.
To prevent this sort of foam failure, only deal with reputable foam suppliers, ask a lot of questions and educate your customers who may not immediately understand why a more expensive foam product may be more cost effective in the long run.
Case study of cheap foam breakdown
A five-star resort hotel asked us to replace exterior cushions and daybed seating that were only two or three years old. One of the cushions looked like a former balloon that had been popped, another looked as if a wild dog had chosen it for a nesting spot and a third looked as if it had gastric bypass surgery!
Fortunately, we had not provided the original cushions and it was obvious the failure was due to a “budget” foam. A quality marine foam would have lasted twice as long. These cushions did not have liners—only exterior covers in an outdoor fabric.
Fabric liner considerations
Would a liner have prevented this issue? I don’t believe so. This was clearly a case of the cellular structure of the foam deteriorating in a commercial setting where the seating was used more frequently than on a private vessel. Fabric liners can prolong the life of exterior cushions in some marine settings, but there are important things to consider when using them:
- Fabric type: Some liner fabrics are magnets for mold and mildew when used in an exterior application, and this will also affect the underlying foam. If a liner material is used, make sure it is mold and mildew resistant.
- Application: If frequent cleaning will be required, foam placed inside a liner makes it easy to remove and reinsert into an outer cover.
- Foam type: I generally always use Dri-Fast® marine foam here in the tropics where exterior cushions are frequently subjected to moisture. However, manufacturers offering water-resistant fabrics often question the necessity of using marine foam with their products. If your customer is on a tight budget and will be storing the cushions indoors when they are not being used, you might be able to use a less expensive foam.
Good cushion foam choices
Open-cell reticulated foam has extremely open pores that allow water and air to flow through it easily and is available in soft, medium and firm densities. These foams are comfortable and stay cool when used for seating cushions and mattresses. Dri-Fast (sometimes called marine foam) is a high-quality open-cell reticulated foam formulated with an antimicrobial agent to prevent mold and mildew. When paired with an outdoor cushion fabric for the top and sides with a mesh base, it creates a virtually maintenance-free all-weather cushion that is easy to clean without removing the foam, making it an ideal choice for most boat cockpit cushions.
Closed-cell PVN foam (also known as flotation foam) is three times firmer than polyurethane foam and is a more expensive option. Its buoyancy makes it a great choice for flotation applications like floating cockpit cushions and life vests. It is also a good choice for commercial boat seating or other seating that will be used as a step for getting on and off the vessel. PVN foam resists water absorption, so you can safely cover it with any type of fabric. Thin sheets of closed-cell foam are often glued to the bottom of other foam, adding additional support to a cushion, like a box spring to a mattress. When using it with Dri-Fast foam, cut holes in the closed-cell foam for drainage.
Terri Madden owns Sand Sea & Air Interiors Inc. in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Memory foam is a popular choice for mattresses because it outperforms and outlasts most coil steel spring mattresses and is soft, comfortable and compacts easily to conform to different shapes. However, there are a variety of concerns with memory foam:
Odor
Consumers frequently report odors due to “off gassing,” which is caused by chemical composition and packaging. The potency of the smell is determined by how long the foam was cured and how quickly it was packaged after being manufactured.
Solution: Remove the foam from its packaging as soon as possible. The odor typically dissipates within a few weeks.
Toxic fire retardants
Memory foam is a petroleum-based product, which makes it flammable. Memory foam mattresses sold in the United States must include fire retardants, some of which contain high levels of toxic chemicals.
Solution: Educate yourself and your customers. Understand the product you are purchasing. When possible, use foams that have lower levels of toxic fire retardants.
Chemicals may cause health problems
Chemicals added to memory foam to increase its density and viscosity may cause some consumers to experience physical sensitivities or allergies.
Solution: Offer customers alternative options for mattresses if they are concerned about possible side effects from synthetic products such as foam. The Pastoral mattress is filled with organic wool batting inside a tufted organic cotton cover. A Serenity mattress includes a high-density foam core and a memory foam or latex foam topper.
Due to its popularity, there are knock-off versions of Dri-Fast® on the market that add fillers to the foam. To see if your foam is Dri-Fast foam, pour a cup of water on it. The water should run straight through the foam and drain out the bottom. If the water runs off the sides of the foam, it’s a knock-off.
—A tip recommended by Sailrite, www.sailrite.com
Density is the most important property to consider when choosing foam. It is a measurement of how little air is in the foam. Typically, the higher the density, the better grade of foam. However, for certain projects a very high density can be considered excessive. For example, for boat cushions, the industry standard is only 1.2 lb./cu. ft. for seat backs and 1.5-1.8 lb./cu. ft. for seats. These densities are considered fine for occasional use such as on seasonal boats and patios.
Indoor applications that see daily, year-round use or applications for live-a-board cruisers would require a much higher density for longevity. In these cases, look for a density of 2.5 lb./cu. ft. or better.
Biocide is an additive that reduces fungus growth in foam. A biocide treatment is recommended for outdoor foams that don’t easily drain water such as polyurethane foams. Some vendors offer polyurethane foams with a biocide/
antimicrobial treatment added.
High-density polyurethane foam is available in both medium and firm density levels and typically lasts up to 12 years. However, it is not available in a version
with biocide treatment added.
This foam is best for upholstery seating, high-use interior applications and for interior settee and berth cushions in dry boats.
“Occasional use” and “frequent use” are terms to help you choose a foam with the best longevity for your application. For occasional use, think weekend boaters, patio seating and infrequently used upholstery. When it comes to frequent use, think of seating you use daily or nearly daily, like your family room sofa or the settee cushions of a live-a-board boat.