Description
Reticulated Foam Sheets – 10 PPI, 30 PPI & 45 PPI
Reticulated foam is a specialist open-cell polyurethane foam designed to allow air and water to pass freely through its structure. Unlike conventional upholstery foam, the cell membranes are removed during manufacture, leaving an open skeletal structure that provides excellent airflow, rapid drainage and quick-drying properties.
Available in 10 PPI, 30 PPI and 45 PPI grades, these reticulated foam sheets are suitable for a wide range of outdoor, marine, filtration and specialist applications.
What Does PPI Mean?
PPI stands for Pores Per Inch and describes the approximate number of pores within one inch of the foam.
A lower PPI number has larger, more open pores, allowing greater airflow and faster drainage. As the PPI increases, the pore structure becomes finer and more closely packed.
10 PPI Reticulated Foam
10 PPI has the most open and coarse cell structure of the three grades.
Its large pores allow excellent airflow and very rapid water drainage, making it particularly suitable where ventilation and water movement are the main priorities.
Typical applications include:
- Outdoor and marine seating
- Boat and yacht cushions
- Garden furniture
- Caravan and motorhome seating
- Ventilation applications
- Coarse filtration
- Drainage and water-management applications
The very open structure means 10 PPI has a noticeably coarser appearance and feel than the higher PPI grades.
30 PPI Reticulated Foam
30 PPI provides a medium open-cell structure and is a good all-round option where drainage, airflow and comfort all need to be considered.
The smaller pore structure provides a more refined surface than 10 PPI while still allowing water and air to pass freely through the foam.
Typical applications include:
- Outdoor seating cushions
- Garden furniture
- Marine upholstery
- Boat seating
- Caravan and campervan cushions
- General filtration
- Ventilated upholstery applications
For many outdoor seating applications, 30 PPI offers a useful balance between comfort, airflow and drainage.
45 PPI Reticulated Foam
45 PPI has the finest cell structure of the three options.
It provides a smoother and more closely structured surface while retaining the open-cell characteristics associated with reticulated foam.
Typical uses include:
- Fine filtration
- Specialist ventilation applications
- Marine and outdoor upholstery
- Cushion applications requiring a finer surface
- Air and liquid filtration systems
- Technical foam applications
Although 45 PPI has smaller pores than 10 or 30 PPI foam, it remains highly open and allows air and moisture to move through the material.
Ideal for Outdoor & Marine Applications
One of the principal advantages of reticulated foam is its ability to deal with moisture.
Traditional upholstery foam can retain water within its cell structure. Reticulated foam allows water to pass through much more freely, helping cushions drain and dry considerably faster when used with a suitable breathable or water-resistant outdoor cover.
This makes it particularly useful for garden furniture, boats, yachts, campervans, caravans and other environments where cushions may become wet.
For the best performance, the finished cushion should be constructed so that water can drain away rather than becoming trapped inside the cover.
Choosing the Right Reticulated Foam Grade
The most suitable grade depends on the balance of drainage, airflow, surface feel and filtration required:
- 10 PPI – Coarse: maximum airflow and drainage
- 30 PPI – Medium: balanced airflow, drainage and comfort
- 45 PPI – Fine: finer surface with good airflow and filtration
Reticulated foam is supplied in full sheet format, with the available sheet dimensions shown in the product options.
If you are unsure which PPI grade is most suitable for your application, contact us before ordering and we can help you select the appropriate option.
