Upholstery Uses of Polyurethane Foam

Most of the 1.2 billion pounds of polyurethane foam produced each year is upholstered.

Upholstered polyurethane foam touches many aspect our lives--we sit on it, sleep on it and are transported on it. Polyurethane foam is found in almost all of the upholstered furniture in our homes, offices, schools, hospitals, theaters, cars, planes and boats. The popularity of polyurethane foam can be explained because it is cost-effective and can be easily cut or molded. In addition, technological advances have created different densities of polyurethane foam that have desirable characteristics, such as resistance to fire, moisture, mildew, and microbial growth.

Residential Uses

Upholstered polyurethane foam is used to make sofas, chairs, pillows and cushions.

Our homes are filled with upholstered polyurethane foam. Super-soft polyurethane foam is used in back cushions in sofas and chairs. Shredded, cut or molded polyurethane foam is used in pillows. Fast-drying, water-resistant polyurethane foam that allows water to run right through it is used in upholstered patio cushions. Fire-retardant polyurethane foam, of varying widths and densities, is used in to make sofas and chairs. Manufacturers use upholstered anti-microbial polyurethane foam in seating and bedding. The development of "memory foam" has allowed bed manufacturers to make beds more comfortable than ever. Bumper pads in cribs use upholstered polyurethane foam to protect infants from injury. Many toys used by infants and children are made of fabric-covered polyurethane foam.

Automotive, Aircraft and Marine

Specialized polyurethane foam is used in the upholstered seats and headrests of cars, planes and boats.

Upholstered seat and back cushions are made using polyurethane foam. The anti-microbial polyurethane foam that is sometimes used in airplane and automobile seats provides cushioning that makes travel more sanitary and comfortable for people who must sit in one place for a long time. Polyurethane foam is often applied to the interior walls of cars, planes and boats, either to reduce the cold or vibration that passengers might otherwise experience. Water- and mildew-resistant polyurethane foam is used for seat cushions on boats. Upholstered molded polyurethane foam may be used in cars, planes and boats to provide cushioning on armrests, headrests, dashboards and steering wheels.

Offices, Schools and Hospitals

Anti-microbial, molded polyurethane foam is used to make upholstered office chairs.

Molded, anti-microbial upholstered polyurethane foam is used to make the seats and back supports of office chairs. A more dense version of polyurethane foam is often upholstered and used to provide cushioning on arm rests in office chairs. Many waiting rooms in offices have upholstered chairs or sofas that were manufactured using a variety of polyurethane foam products. Hospital beds are often made of anti-microbial polyurethane foam that has been upholstered in a water-proof, plastic covering to keep patients comfortable and prevent the spread of infection. Medical braces are made more comfortable for patients to wear by adding cushioning that is made of fabric covered polyurethane foam.

Theaters and Recording Studios

Upholstered polyurethane foam walls are used to soundproof the walls of theaters and recording studios.

Upholstered polyurethane foam is frequently found in theaters and recording studios. Recording studios and theaters use upholstered polyurethane foam for seating. Upholstered polyurethane foam is often applied to the walls of movie theaters to soundproof adjacent theaters. Commercial and residential recording studios are soundproofed by applying polyurethane foam with extra sound absorption qualities to the walls; after which, the walls are upholstered for aesthetic reasons.

References

• Polyeurethane Foam Association: Industry at a Glance
• Polyeurethane Foam Association: Adapting to Environmental Progress
• Center for the Polyeurethanes Industry: Recycling and Waste Reducation

Resources

• "Complete Step-by-Step Upholstering"; David Bowie et al; 2010
• "Upholstery: A Beginner's Guide"; David James; 2004
• "Automotive Upholstery Handbook"; Don Taylor; 2011
• "Keep the Peace! The Musician's Guide to Sound Proofing"; Mark Parsons; 2005