How to Protect Foam From Moisture & UV Damage
Details
Details
It's a very common question. "How do I protect the foam inside my cushion from water or sunlight damage?" Lucky for you, Sailrite® has the answers! Foam can be expensive, so you want to keep it as protected as possible in order to increase its longevity and usefulness. Let's discuss all the ways you can protect your foam from moisture and UV damage, and which methods we recommend for various cushion applications.
First, let's go over all the products you can use to protect your foam. Then, we'll discuss how and when to use them, as well as when you would not want to use a particular product with your foam assembly.
Cushion Wrap Silk Film is a noiseless plastic silk film that you can wrap around your foam to protect it from moisture. Silk film is designed to be silent so you will not hear it crinkling when you sit on your cushion assembly. The thin, waterproof plastic film acts as a moisture barrier and protects your cushion foam from getting wet.
An added bonus of silk film is that it also makes foam insertion easy and struggle-free. You no longer have to wrestle the foam into the cover and hope you get the foam properly situated. How does it work? Simply cover and tuck the silk film loosely around the foam. Then insert a vacuum hose into the open end of the film and place it against the foam. Turn the vacuum on and watch as it sucks the air out of the foam and compresses it by up to 70%. Easily insert the foam into the cover and it will expand back to its full size when the vacuum is removed. Check out our video "Using Silk Film to Shrink Foam" (#300060XHT) to see this process in action!
Polyester batting is a bonded 100% polyester cushion wrap that is nonallergenic and mildew resistant. When wrapped and glued around foam, polyester batting adds a nice, plump look to your cushion. It's a popular product a lot of DIYers use because it really makes a visible difference in the plumpness of your cushion. It can take a DIY cushion from average-looking to professional appearance.
Though not a moisture barrier like Cushion Wrap Silk Film, batting drains very well. In fact, when paired with CushionRite Dry Fast, it aids in the water-draining and quick-drying qualities of Dry Fast. It also helps protect foam from UV damage, which is a great feature for outdoor cushions. This is a great combination for an outdoor cushion for your patio where you'll leave it outside all summer season. You can use Cushion Wrap Silk Film as an aid in inserting batting-wrapped foam into your cushion cover, but do not leave the silk film in. Silk Film must be removed otherwise it interferes with the quick-drying abilities of the batting and Dry Fast.
Be sure to read our blog "How to Choose an Outdoor Foam" (#300481XHT) to learn which types of foam we recommend for patio cushions, pontoon and powerboat seating, sailboat cabin and cockpit cushions, and more. If you're searching for the best materials for outdoor patio cushions, we have two fantastic resources. If you're interested in making cushions from woven upholstery fabric, check out "The Best Fabric, Foam & Thread for Outdoor Cushions" (#300454XHT). The blog breaks down each material — fabric, foam, notions and more — to give you a foolproof recipe for a long-lasting outdoor cushion. If you prefer the look of vinyl or faux leather cushions, "The Best Vinyl, Foam & Thread for Outdoor Cushions" (#300455XHT) has the answers you're looking for.