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What does the foam's Density refer to and why is it important?
Density is the weight of the foam and it is found by weighing a 12" square cube of foam in pounds per cubic foot.
Higher density foams will be more resilient and durable than lower density foams. Two foams may feel similar if they
have the same compression or ILD, but there is no doubt the higher density foam will last longer before sagging.
What is ILD?
ILD stands for Indention Load Deflection, and by knowing the ILD you can tell how firm the foam is. The ILD tells
you how many pounds per cubic foot it takes to compress a 4" sample by 25% of its overall thickness. The lower the ILD
the softer the foam will feel, the higher the ILD, or the last two numbers of the grade's part number, the firmer the
foam will feel. Foams that have similar ILD's will feel similar even if their density is different.
Why does foam turn yellow when it ages?
All foam oxidizes and will turn yellow when it ages. Just like when a penny becomes darker over time. This is a completely
natural process that the foam goes through and in no way impairs the effectiveness of the foam.
Will memory foam get firmer in colder temperatures?
Yes, memory foam is a temperature sensitive material. Memory Foam is the only grade of foam whose firmness is affected
by room temperature. If the memory foam is used in a room that is colder than 60 degrees it will feel firmer, but will soften
upon the body heating the foam during sleep.
Can the difference between the various densities of Memory Foam be felt, and if
it can, why are the higher density foams better?
The main difference is both in price and in performance. Higher density memory foam equals a higher performance at a higher price.
Lower density memory foam is still good for some pressure relief at a lower price. However, with a denser Memory Foam you will get
more support and it will conform to your body more. Higher density memory foams are designed for premium mattresses and a longer
comfort life.
Are all foams fire retardant?
All foams are not fire retardant. Our premium grades like Roughrider, Koosh® and Qualux all comply with the California 117
fire specification requirements. The CAL 117 fire spec is the most stringent fire retardant requirement for foam. This is mandatory
for hospitals, hotels and other commercial applications. Even though it costs a little more, as far as we are concerned, it should
be mandatory for all bedding and furniture applications.
Does firmer foam last longer than softer foam?
Most people seem to think that firmer foam will not sag as fast as softer foam. However, this is not necessarily true. To a large degree
the density of the foam (its weight) is more important than its compression or firmness when it comes to determining foam's durability.
In other words, light firm foam will not last as long as a heavy soft foam.
What is high density foam?
High Density foam is the most overused term in the foam business. Some people use it to refer to firmer foam; other people use it to refer
to better quality foam. However, twenty of our forty grades can be classified as high density. High density should mean heavier foam that will
last longer. It is up to you to decide how long you want it to last and, once we help you to figure that out, then we can determine how firm
you would like it. It is not that difficult. That is why we recommend that you come into one of our showrooms and feel the difference.
Do you have any questions?
Send us your question to info@foamite.com. If it is asked often enough, it may even become one of our most frequently asked questions.
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