Has anyone tried to make new mattresses out of 3" closed cell foam. You can get it at Defender. Seems you could cut it to size and fit it into existing covers.
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RREgge
Another Source for Foam
My wife has used "foamorder.com" to do some work around the house. Russell
My wife has used "foamorder.com" to do some work around the house. Russell
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Jim Maroldo
Foam pads...
...can be purchased at most local sewing centers as well. We have a "Stitch & Sew" store nearby. The two characters in the upholstery department (reminded me of the furniture guys from the PBS show!) cut out the new pads using my old ones as templates for no extra charge. They have a special foam cutter tool that works better than anything I could come up with around the house. Maybe Defender or Foamorder.com that Reggie spoke about will be cheaper, but don't forget to figure in the shipping costs. Anyway, the answer to your question is: "YES, you can certainly do it yourself!"
...can be purchased at most local sewing centers as well. We have a "Stitch & Sew" store nearby. The two characters in the upholstery department (reminded me of the furniture guys from the PBS show!) cut out the new pads using my old ones as templates for no extra charge. They have a special foam cutter tool that works better than anything I could come up with around the house. Maybe Defender or Foamorder.com that Reggie spoke about will be cheaper, but don't forget to figure in the shipping costs. Anyway, the answer to your question is: "YES, you can certainly do it yourself!"
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Peter Roach
Closed Cell??
I am replacing my 3" foam in the v-berth as well as replacing / redoing several other upholstery items on the boat. I had a (seemed pretty competent) upholstery person come to my boat to give me a quote on the work. When I asked about closed cell foam in the v-berth they told me it was pretty easy but I would not be happy. They recommended high density foam instead of the closed cell (they actually had to order the high density foam so I don't think it was a sell job). I don't recall why the closed cell was not a good choice. Maybe some of the other forum readers know what it is like to sleep on the closed cell foam.
I am replacing my 3" foam in the v-berth as well as replacing / redoing several other upholstery items on the boat. I had a (seemed pretty competent) upholstery person come to my boat to give me a quote on the work. When I asked about closed cell foam in the v-berth they told me it was pretty easy but I would not be happy. They recommended high density foam instead of the closed cell (they actually had to order the high density foam so I don't think it was a sell job). I don't recall why the closed cell was not a good choice. Maybe some of the other forum readers know what it is like to sleep on the closed cell foam.
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Joe Baker
Foam!!!!!!
I do not hear an expert talking about foam and I am not one either!! Our upholstery shop put 4 inch in the V and it is great!! On the seat portions, they put soft foam(2 inches) on top and higher density(2 inches) on the bottom. The result is a soft seat that does not bottom out! Find a pro that knows the correct densities. They should talk about combining densities for the best result.
I do not hear an expert talking about foam and I am not one either!! Our upholstery shop put 4 inch in the V and it is great!! On the seat portions, they put soft foam(2 inches) on top and higher density(2 inches) on the bottom. The result is a soft seat that does not bottom out! Find a pro that knows the correct densities. They should talk about combining densities for the best result.
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Padozary
Another foam source
After an extensive search, we purchased new mattresses from foamsweetfoam.com. The owner was very helpfull, and the prices were the best very resonable. I sent him a paper pattern of our mattress, and he cut them to size.
After an extensive search, we purchased new mattresses from foamsweetfoam.com. The owner was very helpfull, and the prices were the best very resonable. I sent him a paper pattern of our mattress, and he cut them to size.
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Michael Stephens
Great stuff
These are all great replies but my interest is in someone with experience in sleeping on closed cell foam. Seems it may be to dense to be comfortable. I will certainly look at all these other vendors as well. Thanks again.
These are all great replies but my interest is in someone with experience in sleeping on closed cell foam. Seems it may be to dense to be comfortable. I will certainly look at all these other vendors as well. Thanks again.
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Doug T.
Inquiring minds...
I don't understand why you'd want closed cell foam for berths. It's great selling point is that it doesn't absorb water. Well, that's fine, but you don't want water in your berths anyway! If you have leaks you fix them. If the cushions are exposed to rain through a hatch when at anchor, then install an awning. Hatches shouldn't be open when underway, so they won't be exposed to spray. I'd think that your comfort when sleeping would be a much higher priority than having the foam be waterproof.
I don't understand why you'd want closed cell foam for berths. It's great selling point is that it doesn't absorb water. Well, that's fine, but you don't want water in your berths anyway! If you have leaks you fix them. If the cushions are exposed to rain through a hatch when at anchor, then install an awning. Hatches shouldn't be open when underway, so they won't be exposed to spray. I'd think that your comfort when sleeping would be a much higher priority than having the foam be waterproof.
Does closed cell have anything to do with density?
This is just a question: Does the fact that the foam is closed cell have anything to do with the density of the foam? If it does not, I would think that this would be an advantage is some of the climates that are very humid.
This is just a question: Does the fact that the foam is closed cell have anything to do with the density of the foam? If it does not, I would think that this would be an advantage is some of the climates that are very humid.
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Doug T.
Density
My understanding is that closed cell foam comes in very high and high densities. The high density stuff (EVA) "...may be used for kneepads, boat cushions, life preservers, or shin guards." When they say boat cushions, I think they mean things like cockpit cusions. The stuff doesn't sound like the kind of mattress foam that I'd be interested in sleeping on!
My understanding is that closed cell foam comes in very high and high densities. The high density stuff (EVA) "...may be used for kneepads, boat cushions, life preservers, or shin guards." When they say boat cushions, I think they mean things like cockpit cusions. The stuff doesn't sound like the kind of mattress foam that I'd be interested in sleeping on!
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RREgge
Types of Foam (long)
My wife does window treatments and cushines (no not boat cushines so this is not commercial) and suggested I post the following info. She had samples mail to us from foamorder.com and that makes the selection process easier. No I don't own stock in these guys, they are just a good vendor. Foam types Closed Cell Foam Closed cell polyethylene: this foam is white, and comes by the yard, in sheets, or custom cut to your dimensions. Closed cell foam does not absorb water. We have two grades of closed cell foam: Crosslinked Polyethylene, and EVA grade. Crosslinked Polyethylene is very rigid; it has no give to it. This may be used for packing, padding in helmets, or insulation for hot tubs. EVA grade is also a firm foam, but with a softer feel. When pressing your fingers into it, it squishes down a little but comes right back into place. This may be used for kneepads, boat cushions, life preservers, or shin guards Latex Latex is a naturally derived biodegradable product. It comes from the rubber tree. Latex is hypo-allergenic, and breathes to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Bacteria, mildew, and mold cannot live in latex foam. Conventional Foams 5320 A medium feeling foam. It is the best economical mattress. It is really comfortable. People use this for RV, camper or boat beds. This foam is expected to last 5 years with irregular use. (5320 is a 2 lb/ft3 foam with a 30 ILD.) 5600 A medium feeling foam, this is one of the best pieces of urethane foam (second only to Latex). 5600 foam is heavy and will give you many years of comfort. We recommend this foam for any mattress which is used regularly. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This foam is expected to last 15 years. Suggestion: purchase a "comfort package" above. (5600 is a 2.8 lb/ft3 foam with a 34 ILD.) 5700 5700 is a very firm foam. It makes a good quality, hard mattress. It is fine for a guest bed, sofa bed replacement or any hard mattress. Remember, the thicker it is the harder it will feel. This foam is expected to last 5 years. (5700 is a 2 lb/ft3 foam with a 55 ILD.) 5850 A firm feeling foam. This is one of the best quality foams. It has a high density, which adds life. We recommend this for any firm mattress. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This foam is expected to last 15 years. (5850 is a 2.5 lb/ft3 foam with a 40 ILD.) 5900A high quality, very firm grade of foam. This foam is one of the best qualities. It is great for an extra firm mattress. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This is one of our best sellers. It is expected to last 15 years. (5900 is a 2.7 lb/ft3 foam with a 45 ILD.) N90CA high quality, rigid foam. This foam is hard. You could not get a firmer mattress unless you slept on wood. It is one of our strongest foams and will give years of support. This is our most popular cushion replacement if you are wanting a really firm cushion. It is expected to last 15 years. (N90c is a 3 lb/ft3 foam with a 70 ILD.)
My wife does window treatments and cushines (no not boat cushines so this is not commercial) and suggested I post the following info. She had samples mail to us from foamorder.com and that makes the selection process easier. No I don't own stock in these guys, they are just a good vendor. Foam types Closed Cell Foam Closed cell polyethylene: this foam is white, and comes by the yard, in sheets, or custom cut to your dimensions. Closed cell foam does not absorb water. We have two grades of closed cell foam: Crosslinked Polyethylene, and EVA grade. Crosslinked Polyethylene is very rigid; it has no give to it. This may be used for packing, padding in helmets, or insulation for hot tubs. EVA grade is also a firm foam, but with a softer feel. When pressing your fingers into it, it squishes down a little but comes right back into place. This may be used for kneepads, boat cushions, life preservers, or shin guards Latex Latex is a naturally derived biodegradable product. It comes from the rubber tree. Latex is hypo-allergenic, and breathes to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Bacteria, mildew, and mold cannot live in latex foam. Conventional Foams 5320 A medium feeling foam. It is the best economical mattress. It is really comfortable. People use this for RV, camper or boat beds. This foam is expected to last 5 years with irregular use. (5320 is a 2 lb/ft3 foam with a 30 ILD.) 5600 A medium feeling foam, this is one of the best pieces of urethane foam (second only to Latex). 5600 foam is heavy and will give you many years of comfort. We recommend this foam for any mattress which is used regularly. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This foam is expected to last 15 years. Suggestion: purchase a "comfort package" above. (5600 is a 2.8 lb/ft3 foam with a 34 ILD.) 5700 5700 is a very firm foam. It makes a good quality, hard mattress. It is fine for a guest bed, sofa bed replacement or any hard mattress. Remember, the thicker it is the harder it will feel. This foam is expected to last 5 years. (5700 is a 2 lb/ft3 foam with a 55 ILD.) 5850 A firm feeling foam. This is one of the best quality foams. It has a high density, which adds life. We recommend this for any firm mattress. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This foam is expected to last 15 years. (5850 is a 2.5 lb/ft3 foam with a 40 ILD.) 5900A high quality, very firm grade of foam. This foam is one of the best qualities. It is great for an extra firm mattress. We strongly recommend you buy a custom cover to protect any foam of this quality. This is one of our best sellers. It is expected to last 15 years. (5900 is a 2.7 lb/ft3 foam with a 45 ILD.) N90CA high quality, rigid foam. This foam is hard. You could not get a firmer mattress unless you slept on wood. It is one of our strongest foams and will give years of support. This is our most popular cushion replacement if you are wanting a really firm cushion. It is expected to last 15 years. (N90c is a 3 lb/ft3 foam with a 70 ILD.)
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