Description
Reticulated Foam Sheets for Airflow, Drainage & Filtration
Livedale supplies reticulated foam sheets in 10 PPI, 30 PPI and 45 PPI grades for outdoor, marine, filtration and specialist applications.
Unlike conventional upholstery foam, reticulated foam has a highly open cellular structure that allows air and water to move freely through the material.
This makes it particularly useful where airflow, drainage, water movement or filtration are important.
Common applications include:
- outdoor furniture cushions
- boat and yacht seating
- marine upholstery
- caravan and motorhome applications
- pond filtration
- aquarium filtration
- air filtration
- liquid filtration
- ventilation systems
- drainage applications
- specialist manufacturing and technical uses
The correct grade depends primarily on the pore size, airflow, drainage and level of filtration required.
What Does PPI Mean in Reticulated Foam?
PPI stands for Pores Per Inch and describes the approximate number of pores within one inch of reticulated foam.
A lower PPI number has a larger, coarser and more open pore structure, while a higher PPI number has smaller, finer and more closely spaced pores.
PPI should not be confused with foam density or firmness. It describes the foam’s pore structure, which affects characteristics such as airflow, drainage and filtration.
In simple terms:
- 10 PPI – Coarse: very open pore structure
- 30 PPI – Medium: balanced pore structure
- 45 PPI – Fine: finer pore structure
Choose Your Reticulated Foam Grade
10 PPI Reticulated Foam
10 PPI reticulated foam has the coarsest and most open pore structure of the three grades.
Its large open cells allow particularly high airflow and rapid movement of water through the foam.
Typical applications include:
- coarse filtration
- pond filtration
- drainage applications
- ventilation systems
- outdoor and marine seating
- boat and yacht cushions
- garden furniture
- specialist water-management applications
The open pore structure gives 10 PPI foam a visibly coarser appearance than the 30 PPI and 45 PPI grades.
30 PPI Reticulated Foam
30 PPI reticulated foam has a medium pore structure and provides a useful balance between airflow, drainage and filtration.
It is a versatile grade suitable for applications including:
- outdoor seating
- garden furniture cushions
- marine upholstery
- boat seating
- caravan and motorhome cushions
- pond and aquarium filtration
- general filtration
- ventilation applications
- drainage systems
For many general-purpose applications, 30 PPI provides a practical middle ground between the very open structure of 10 PPI and the finer pore structure of 45 PPI.
45 PPI Reticulated Foam
45 PPI reticulated foam has the finest pore structure of the three grades available.
Its smaller pores make it particularly useful where finer filtration is required while retaining the open-cell characteristics of reticulated foam.
Typical applications include:
- fine filtration
- aquarium and pond filters
- air filtration
- liquid filtration
- specialist ventilation systems
- outdoor and marine applications
- technical foam components
Although the pores are finer than those in 10 PPI or 30 PPI foam, air and moisture can still move freely through the open cellular structure.
Reticulated Foam for Outdoor & Marine Seating
One of the best-known uses for reticulated foam is outdoor and marine seating.
Conventional upholstery foam can retain water within its cell structure. Reticulated foam allows water to pass through much more freely, helping a correctly constructed cushion drain and dry faster after becoming wet.
This makes it particularly useful for:
- garden furniture
- outdoor seating
- boat cushions
- yacht seating
- marine upholstery
- caravan and motorhome cushions
- other seating exposed to damp or wet conditions
The cover construction is important too. For reticulated foam to perform effectively, water must be able to drain from the finished cushion rather than becoming trapped inside an unsuitable cover.
Reticulated Filter Foam
The open pore structure also makes reticulated foam widely used as a filter foam.
Different PPI grades allow the pore structure to be selected according to the application.
Coarser grades provide more open pathways for air and water, while finer PPI grades can provide progressively finer filtration.
Reticulated filter foam may be used for applications including:
- pond filters
- aquarium filters
- air filtration
- water filtration
- liquid filtration
- ventilation systems
- technical and industrial filters
The appropriate PPI will depend on the filtration system and the performance required.
Reticulated Foam Sheet Sizes & Thicknesses
Livedale supplies reticulated foam in full sheet format, with the available sheet sizes and thicknesses shown in the product options above.
Choose:
- 10 PPI, 30 PPI or 45 PPI
- required sheet thickness
- quantity required
Reticulated foam sheets are supplied as complete sheets for customers to cut or fabricate to their own requirements.
If you are comparing different foam materials, Shop All Foam Sheets to view the wider Livedale range.
If you are unsure which PPI grade is most suitable, contact us before ordering and tell us how the foam will be used.
Buying Reticulated Foam by the Block?
If you use reticulated foam in larger or repeat volumes, Livedale can also quote for complete foam blocks, either supplied whole or slit into full sheets to order.
We can provide two straightforward options.
Whole Block Price
Purchase the complete reticulated foam block and have it delivered whole, ready for conversion using your own equipment.
Full Block Slit to Order
Purchase the complete block and have Livedale slit the entire block into full reticulated foam sheets to your required thickness before dispatch.
This can be a practical option for filtration specialists, marine businesses, manufacturers, foam converters and other commercial customers regularly using larger quantities of reticulated filter foam.
Whole-block prices are quoted at the latest available market price rather than being fixed online, allowing the quotation to reflect current material costs and availability.
Call Livedale on 01942 825144 with the PPI grade, quantity and required sheet thickness for our current whole-block or full-block slitting price.
For more information about block supply, conversion and current pricing, read Get the Latest Foam Block Prices.
If you do not require a complete block, simply order the full reticulated foam sheets you need from this product page.
Need Help Choosing the Right Reticulated Foam?
Choosing between 10 PPI, 30 PPI and 45 PPI reticulated foam depends on the required pore size, airflow, drainage and level of filtration.
If you’re unsure which grade is appropriate for your application, speak to the Livedale team before ordering.
Telephone: 01942 825144
Livedale Foam & Sundries Ltd
Unit D Enterprise Court
Seaman Way
Ince
Wigan
Lancashire
WN2 2AG
You can also Contact Livedale with details of your application, required PPI, thickness and quantity and we’ll help you choose the most suitable option.
