The Difference Between A Pad And A Cushion

When you consider buying the perfect replacement for your chair, chaise, or rocker, you may find that there is a pad or cushion to choose from, so do you know the difference between these two products?

The difference between a chair pad and cushion is often times based on thickness. A pad is typically 1” to 2” thick, many companies won’t make them any thinner than 2” because the weight of one’s body sitting on the pad will hurt its ability to bounce back. Cushions, on the other hand, tend to run between 3-8” in thickness, allowing for a softer seat and a greater ability to bounce back, because your weight will be distributed across the cushion’s material.

If you are going to use your pad or cushion outside, you may want to consider drainage issues in case you plan to leave your cushions outside constantly. The summer is known for sporadic showers that can leave your cushions soaked, so it may take longer for a thick, deep seating cushion to dry thoroughly than one that is thinner.

An extra thick cushion may be the first thing you think you want. It is perfect to have an 8” cushion packed with foam and wrapped in cotton batting. However, having cushions that are super thick can have pitfalls. For example, if your furniture doesn’t have arms that are high enough to accommodate a cushion that thick, it can make your fabric pucker or create an awkward look and potentially an uncomfortable seat. Therefore, when choosing a cushion, the appropriate thickness is also very important, not the thicker the better. Sometimes, you can also choose a pad to meet your needs.

At the same time, if you are on a budget, then a pad may be your better option, as they are typically more economical. If you are set on purchasing a cushion, depending upon the length and width of the area you are covering, you can create more flexibility in your budget simply by having a little give on how thick you really want your cushion to be.

Of course, if you want a better experience, cushions are generally a better choice when it suits the overall style of your home and can meet your actual needs.

We are a manufacturer specializing in the production of various types of cushions, including chairpad, floor cushion, seat cushion and so on, we welcome your inquiry.