The Cutting Table · a checklist answer
What density foam goes into a custom bench cushion?
Also asked as:What density is your foam?What kind of foam do you use?
Kids and dogs are the real quality control, and a kitchen bench gets plenty of both. So the foam question is a fair one, and the answer is a number.
SaveThe quick answer
Custom bench, banquette and seat cushions are made with 32-density foam: about 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) high-density, high-resilience polyurethane with a medium-firm feel. It's firmer and longer-lasting than the 1.75 lb/ft³ (28 kg/m³) foam often specified, holds its shape for years without going lumpy, and comes standard, so there's no grade to pick unless you want softer.
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Key facts
- Standard bench and seat cushion foam is 32-density: 32 kg/m³, about 2.0 lb/ft³.
- It is high-density, high-resilience polyurethane cold foam.
- The feel is medium-firm.
- It is firmer and longer-lasting than the 1.75 lb/ft³ (28 kg/m³) foam often specified.
- It holds its shape over time without going lumpy.
- It is standard-grade upholstery foam with no flame-retardant additives.
- The same 32-density foam is standard in every custom cushion; softer can be requested.
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Every good cushion I know started with a long porch chat. This is the short version: leave your number and the workshop will call. — Rosa
Leave your details and the workshop will call you to confirm measurements, fabric, foam and piping. No prices, dates or payment on this page: it is a request, not an order.
Your foam checklist, line by line
- Density: 32 kg/m³, about 2.0 lb/ft³, high-density polyurethane.
- Type: high-resilience cold foam.
- Feel: medium-firm. On a 3 in (7.5 cm) seat it's comfortable, yet firm enough to hold its shape.
- Choice: none needed. The same foam goes into every custom cushion; ask in the order note if you'd like softer.
- Additives: standard-grade upholstery foam with no flame-retardant additives. The flame-retardant-free Pattern explains what that means.
- Fabric: covers come from a mill certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (03.T.3239).
- If the number matters to you, write it in the order note: a few quotes have used 28-density foam.
The densities you'll hear about
| Foam | kg/m³ | lb/ft³ | Where it turns up |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom bench and banquette standard | 32 | about 2.0 | Every custom seat cushion |
| Often-specified foam | 28 | about 1.75 | Floor sofas (rated ILD 42) and some piped bench quotes |
| Budget option | 22 | about 1.4 | Plain seat pads in the tufted line |
Density is weight, not squish
Here's where folks get tangled, neighbor. Density tells you how much foam is packed into a cubic foot. Firmness is how it pushes back when you sit. They travel together, but they aren't twins: the same 32-density foam has been called medium-firm in most replies and medium-soft in one.
For a busy banquette cushion, density is the longevity number. The density conversion Pattern turns kg/m³ into pounds, the density versus firmness Pattern covers ILD, and the foam firmness finder helps you pick a feel.
Who sits hardest on your bench?
A 3 in bench cushion on 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) high-resilience foam stays comfortable and holds its shape for years without going lumpy.
Rosa
Buyer questions
- A common question
What density is your foam? I need something commercial-grade for a busy kitchen nook.
The workshop's answerThe cushions use 32-density high-density foam with a medium-firm feel. On 3 in (7.5 cm) seat cushions that means comfortable, but firm enough to hold its shape over time.
- A common question
What foam is inside the bench cushions, exactly?
The workshop's answerStandard-grade high-density polyurethane foam of about 2.0 lb/ft³ (32 kg/m³) with no flame-retardant additives. The fabrics come from a mill certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (03.T.3239).
- A common question
Will the foam go lumpy after a while?
The workshop's answerIt's 32-density (32 DNS) high-density foam, typically a cold foam, chosen to hold its shape over time without lumps while staying comfortable for everyday sitting.
- A common question
Is the foam in the bench cushions the same as in the floor sofas?
The workshop's answerNo. Bench cushions use 32-density high-density foam, described in one reply as medium-soft; the floor sofas use 28-density high-density foam rated ILD 42. Both are made to last many years.
- A common question
What foam goes in a piped bench cushion with a non-slip bottom?
The workshop's answerOne quote for two 3 in navy bench cushions, about 17.5 x 84 in and 17.5 x 71 in, with single piping and an anti-slip bottom fabric, used 28-density best-quality foam. Name the density in your order note if it matters.
Questions buyers ask next
Can I ask for a softer foam than the standard?
Yes. 32-density foam is standard in every custom cushion, so there is no grade to pick at checkout, but a softer foam can be requested in the order note before production starts.
How long will the foam in a daily-use bench cushion keep its shape?
The 32-density high-resilience foam is chosen to hold its shape for years of everyday sitting without going lumpy. On a daily-use bench, high-density foam can also overhang the seat edge by up to 2 in (5 cm).
Can I buy the foam insert without a cover?
Yes. Foam-only inserts, from pillow fillings to full sofa foam sets, are sold without covers through a dedicated link and quoted per set.
