“Proper comfort is the elimination of discomfort”

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“Proper comfort is the elimination of discomfort”

Foam for upholstered Seating

 Another factor in determining comfort in seating is the amount of foam that is used. There are two main terms when discussing foam; Density and Indentation force deflection (IFD). Density, which is the weight of a cubic foot of foam, is the measurement that determines the quality of the foam. A higher density number represents a higher     quality foam that will last longer, regain it’s shape faster and prevent you from “bottoming out” or sitting through the foam. IFD, which is the amount of weight it takes to compress a 4-inch piece of foam to 3 inches, is the measurement used to determine firmness or softness. The higher the IFD, the firmer the foam.  Foam manufacturers will tell you that using a foam with the proper density and IFD is more important than using a lot of foam.  That’s because, as we mentioned in last months newsletter, proper comfort is the elimination of discomfort. You will want a foam that is soft, but not too soft. If you have 4-5 inches of very soft foam, it may seem really comfortable for those 30 seconds that you may sit on it to evaluate the product. However, when you sink into 4 or 5 inches of foam for an extended period of time, it will begin to trap heat. Trapped heat converts to perspiration, which then becomes uncomfortable.  Sauder Worship Seating was the first company to pioneer a contoured, upholstered seat for pews and today are still the only company that contours every seat we make. Why contour the seat? Because when the foam breaks down, as all foams do, your pews will still be comfortable. If a contour is created by placing a strip of wood under the foam at the front of the seat, that strip of wood will create discomfort when you feel it in the back of your leg. And finally, if the contour is achieved by contouring the foam itself, that contour will disappear when the foam breaks down. Maybe the best way to understand comfort is to look outside the worship furniture industry.  If you look at the office furniture industry, where millions of dollars in research and development have been focused on optimizing the seats that workers use upwards of eight hours a   day, you will note that the seating products utilize a contour base beneath the foam.  Depending on foam alone to provide comfort is expecting more than foam can provide.        NEXT MONTH: More information on foam for chairs

 

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