Description
RG50/230 White Foam Sheet – Very Firm High-Density Upholstery Foam
RG50/230 is a specialist very firm, high-density polyurethane foam intended for upholstery and seating applications requiring considerably more support than a conventional medium or firm cushion foam.
The combination of high density and high hardness makes RG50/230 particularly useful for commercial seating, heavy-use upholstery, firm seat bases and applications where the foam needs to maintain its structure under repeated use.
Unlike softer upholstery grades, RG50/230 has relatively little initial give. It can be used by itself where a genuinely firm finished seat is required or incorporated beneath a softer foam layer to provide a strong supporting foundation.
What Does RG50/230 Mean?
Foam grades are commonly identified using figures that describe both the foam density and its firmness.
RG50/230 has a nominal:
- Density: 50 kg/m³
- Notional hardness: 230 N
- Feel: Very firm
- Colour: White
- Type: Flexible polyurethane upholstery foam
It is worth remembering that density and firmness are not the same thing.
Density relates broadly to the quantity of material within the foam and is an important factor in durability and performance. Hardness describes how much resistance the foam provides when compressed.
RG50/230 combines a relatively high density with a high hardness, creating a foam that is both substantial and distinctly firm.
Where Is RG50/230 Foam Used?
RG50/230 is best suited to applications requiring strong support rather than a soft or plush cushion feel.
Typical applications include:
- firm seat cushions
- commercial and contract seating
- theatre and cinema seating
- auditorium seating
- automotive upholstery
- bus, coach and transport seating
- firm seat bases
- upholstery support layers
- arm pads and arm wraps
- furniture manufacturing
- heavy-use seating
- layered or dual-density cushion construction
Its firmness makes it particularly useful where conventional upholstery foams may compress too easily.
How Firm Is RG50/230?
RG50/230 is a very firm foam.
If you are looking for a soft, relaxed sofa cushion, this would not normally be the first grade to choose as a single foam layer.
Its strength lies in providing support, structure and resistance to compression.
For applications requiring strong support but a softer surface feel, RG50/230 can be used as the lower supporting layer with a softer foam positioned above it.
This allows the finished cushion or seat to combine a solid foundation with a more comfortable surface.
RG50/230 for Contract and Commercial Seating
Commercial seating can be subjected to considerably more repetitive use than normal domestic furniture.
RG50/230 is particularly useful where a very firm seat base is required for:
- theatres
- cinemas
- auditoriums
- public seating
- commercial furniture
- transport seating
- automotive applications
- contract upholstery
Its high density and very firm feel make it an appropriate option where maintaining support and structure is more important than producing a deep, soft cushion.
RG50/230 as a Support Layer
RG50/230 does not always need to be used as the complete cushion.
Professional upholsterers and furniture manufacturers may use a combination of foam grades to achieve the required finished feel.
RG50/230 can provide the structural lower layer while a softer or medium-firm foam provides the comfort layer above.
This approach can be useful when the seat needs substantial support but the finished surface should not feel excessively hard.
For customers wanting a high-density foam with a noticeably softer feel, our RG50/135 Pink Foam Sheet may be the more appropriate option.
RG50/230 White Foam Sheet Sizes
RG50/230 sheets are approximately:
84″ × 39½” / 213 cm × 100 cm
Available thicknesses include approximately:
- ¼” / 6 mm
- ½” / 12 mm
- ¾” / 19 mm
- 1″ / 25 mm
- 1½” / 38 mm
- 2″ / 50 mm
- 3″ / 75 mm
- 4″ / 100 mm
- 5″ / 125 mm
Choose the required thickness from the product options above.
Buying Foam Sheets for Workshop Use
Buying foam in sheet form is ideal for upholsterers, furniture manufacturers, vehicle trimmers and other trade customers who carry out their own cutting, shaping and fabrication.
Sheets can be held as workshop stock and cut as required for individual projects.
If RG50/230 is not the grade you require, browse the full Foam Sheets range to compare other densities and firmness levels.
Need RG50/230 Foam Cut to Size?
This page is for customers purchasing RG50/230 in sheet form.
If you need foam supplied to an exact finished length, width, thickness or shape, use Livedale’s Foam Cut to Size service instead.
Foam can be produced for applications including:
- replacement seat cushions
- bench seating
- window seats
- caravan and campervan cushions
- boat seating
- automotive projects
- shaped upholstery components
- bespoke furniture
This keeps the two purchasing routes simple: buy sheets when you intend to cut the material yourself, or use foam cut to size when you want Livedale to carry out the conversion.
Trade Quantity Pricing
Registered trade customers can access applicable quantity pricing on foam sheets.
Qualifying volume discounts are applied automatically through the basket when logged into an eligible trade account.
Professional upholsterers, manufacturers, furniture repairers, vehicle converters and other qualifying businesses can register or log in for trade pricing.
Buying RG50/230 by the Full Foam Block
Businesses using RG50/230 regularly may find purchasing complete foam blocks more economical than ordering individual sheets.
Livedale supplies whole polyurethane foam blocks and can also slit complete blocks into sheets to the thickness required before dispatch.
For more information on current availability, conversion options and pricing, see our guide to whole foam blocks and current foam block prices.
For orders of more than 30 sheets or complete blocks, contact Livedale for current volume pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is RG50/230 suitable for seat cushions?
Yes, but RG50/230 produces a distinctly firm seat. It is particularly suitable where strong support is required, including heavy-use, commercial and contract seating.
Customers wanting a more forgiving or luxurious cushion feel should consider a softer grade.
What is the difference between RG50/230 and RG50/135?
Both are high-density 50 kg/m³ foam grades, but their firmness is very different.
RG50/230 has a notional hardness of approximately 230 N and provides a very firm feel.
RG50/135 has a lower notional hardness and provides a noticeably softer, more comfortable feel while retaining the benefits of a high-density foam.
Can RG50/230 be combined with softer foam?
Yes. RG50/230 is often useful as a strong supporting base underneath a softer foam layer.
This allows the seat to retain substantial underlying support while providing a more comfortable surface.
Can Livedale cut RG50/230 to my measurements?
Yes. If you require finished pieces rather than complete sheets, order through our Foam Cut to Size service.
Can I buy a complete block of RG50/230?
Subject to current availability, complete foam blocks can be supplied to trade and manufacturing customers.
Blocks can be supplied whole or slit into sheets before dispatch. See Get the Latest Foam Block Prices for further details.
