"Density" and "firmness" get used interchangeably, but they answer different questions. Density is how much material is in the foam — it drives longevity and price. Firmness (ILD) is how hard it feels when you sit. Our six curated foams cover every realistic use case; here's how to choose.
The short version
- Everyday dining chairs & benches → HD36 Firm. Our best seller. Supportive enough for daily sitting, keeps its shape for years.
- Budget or decorative seats → HD28 Standard. Window seats and occasional-use pads where cost matters more than longevity.
- Sofas & cushions you sit on for hours → HR45 High Resilience. Fast recovery, better comfort retention — the upgrade that's worth it on heavily used furniture.
- Outdoor & marine → Dryfast. Open-cell structure lets water drain and the cushion dry instead of rotting.
- Topper or back cushions → Memory Foam. Pressure-relieving and slow to bounce back; best as a comfort layer rather than a deep seat.
- The luxury pick → Natural Latex. Breathable, extremely durable, naturally resilient. Costs more, lasts decades.
A rule of thumb for firmness
Thin cushions (under 3″) feel firmer than thick ones of the same foam. If you're replacing a seat and want the same feel with a thicker cushion, stay at your current firmness rather than going firmer. And if you want soft on top but support underneath, that's what a memory-foam topper on an HD36 base is for.
Does the cover change the feel?
Yes, slightly. A Dacron wrap softens the surface and rounds the edges — it's the difference between "newly upholstered" and "upholstery shop finished". It's priced by your actual surface area in the configurator, so you can compare with and without.
Still not sure?
Configure it both ways — the price updates instantly line by line. Start from a seat cushion or a mattress/topper and compare HD36 vs HR45 on your own dimensions.