Memory foam vs standard foam
Standard foam, also known as polyurethane (PU Foam) has been popular in the industry for bedding, mattresses and sofa padding for as long as anyone can remember but did you know, it is also used to create carpet underlay. The past years have seen a huge growth in technology, which has seen new sophisticated development and the introduction of new and improved memory foam, one of which Wilsons Underlays has recently started to manufacture. Here we take a look at the two, allowing you to compare by breaking them both down and weighing up their separate pros and cons!
Memory foam vs standard recycled foam
Why is memory foam better than standard foam? Well the graph speaks for itself, but simply – under compression testing, standard foam recovers 78% as opposed to our underlays which are up to 92%.
This graph also indicates our foams hold their thickness better in the long run which in return results in a longer life performance of your carpet, enhanced comfort properties underfoot and less furniture indentation marks.
Standard foam.
Standard Foam (PU Foam) is possibly the most popular material to be used for items like bedding and mattresses and is favoured by most manufacturers given the soft feel it creates; the only downfall is that this feel doesn’t actually last very long over the years before it wades. Higher density however is used to create a more resilient support system with the ability to hold people up (if it is being used for a mattress), that otherwise would simply sink through a soft comfort layer if it was a lower density.
So, to sum up, the durability of standard foam completely depends on the density. Low density foams will begin to deteriorate after a few years use, whereas high density foams will last years without any noticeable change in their performance, and the same goes for if it is being used for an underlay.
+ Very low cost to produce
+ Raw materials widely available
+ Available in a wide range of different density ratings 75kgm3 to 200kgm3
+ Provides sufficient pressure relief
– Limited softness underfoot
– Doesn’t provide full support (if low density)
– Not as durable as memory foam
As mentioned previously, standard foam depends hugely on the density of the actual material. Lower density foam will start to under-perform after a couple years, whereas an underlay made from higher density foam for example, for that matter, is likely to last a lot longer and withstand wear and tear a lot better, however, the higher the density over 100kgm3 will give a firmer/harder feeling underfoot. So not quite win-win.
Even low-density 75kgm3 to 85kgm3 standard foam in thicknesses between 7mm and 12mm will offer a sufficient level of comfort, how long it last before it flattens is another matter. A good range for comfort & durability is a thickness of 9mm to 12mm and a density between 100kg m3 and 120kg m3 Anything above 120kg+ will feel firmer and harder underfoot (not ideal as you want your carpets to feel soft) but will provide longer durability and help avoid those furniture marks.
In the form of an underlay foam will help provide thermal insulation and reduce the amount of heat that can escape through a floor or carpet and thus keeping your room warmer for longer.
Memory foam.
Memory foam, also often referred to as viscoelastic foam, uses foam bubbles to create a matrix through which air can then move. In terms of composition, memory foam is similar to standard foam apart from the fact it uses extra chemicals to achieve its viscoelastic properties. High quality viscoelastic foam will keep its ability to conform for a lot longer than any other type of foam. This type of foam is also well known for its mattress form ability to absorb body pressure and form a cradle-like space that matches your sleeping style.
As an underlay, it is mostly known for providing an extremely luxurious underfoot feel. This memory foam technology in underlay also makes it perform much better than standard foam underlays at things like resisting furniture indentation marks, durability, recovery properties, impact sound reduction and heat insulation.
+ Provides exceptional underfoot comfort when used in an underlay
+ Superb durability – almost never flattens regardless of density
+ Higher levels of heat insulation and sound reduction.
+ Absorbs footfall impacts better – supports the carpet increasing its life
– More expensive – extra processes and materials involved
– Slightly heavier rolls
Memory foam’s durability is not dependent on the density of the material. For example, Plushwalk with a density of 100kgm3 will recover and last longer than an equal standard foam 100 kgm3 density. This is because memory foam viscoelastic properties giving fair greater recovery. Recent test show that Memory foam recovers up to 96% on 1000 impacts vs 78% from an equal standard foam. This makes it the perfect underlay to last years to come.
Memory foam has a very spongy feel to it and when used as an underlay it will provide a bounce-back effect similar to a mattress that uses memory foam, and when installed under a carpet, it will feel exceptionally soft and comfortable to walk on. This makes it ideal for rooms throughout the house such as living areas and bedrooms that require a comfy and cosy feel throughout.
When used as an underlay, memory foam provides excellent thermal insulation, and dramatically reduces the amount of heat that can escape through your carpets, even more so than a PU foam. This creates a warm environment throughout the home and can actually help to reduce energy bills as a result of this.
Find an underlay that incorporates memory foam.
If you think memory foam underlays are for you, why not check out our underlays that incorporate memory foam?