Commercial Outdoor Cushions for Pubs, Hotels & Cafes: Quick Dry Foam
Commercial outdoor cushions for pubs, hotels and cafes need a foam that drains quickly, dries fast and survives heavy daily use, and reticulated foam such as QuickDry is made for exactly that. Standard upholstery foam holds water, so cushions left out in a beer garden or on a hotel terrace stay wet and start to smell. GB Foam Direct cuts QuickDry reticulated foam to size for commercial outdoor seating, from a handful of bench pads to a full terrace.
Key takeaways
- Reticulated foam has an open, porous cell structure that lets water run straight through.
- In our drainage test, QuickDry foam held 40% of poured water after 60 seconds, against 80% for normal foam.
- QuickDry comes in Soft (110 to 140N), Medium (140 to 180N) and Firm (180 to 220N) grades.
- QuickDry Firm is recommended for seat pads and deck chairs from 5 to 15cm thick, and Medium for seat cushions and sun loungers from 10 to 15cm.
- VisitBritain guidance treats pubs, hotels and restaurants as medium hazard premises for furniture fire safety.
- GB Foam Direct has cut foam in High Wycombe since 1976 and gives a 5 year guarantee against faults in manufacture.
What Are Commercial Outdoor Cushions?
Commercial outdoor cushions are the seat pads, bench cushions and sofa cushions used in pub gardens, hotel terraces, cafe patios and other hospitality venues, where they are sat on by many people and often left outside.
They do a harder job than garden cushions at home. A busy beer garden may fill every sunny afternoon from spring to autumn, cushions are left out between services, and staff rarely have time to bring them in when a shower arrives.
That means the foam inside matters as much as the cover. A cushion that drains and dries quickly can be back in use soon after the rain stops, while one that holds water is out of action for the rest of the day.
Why Does Reticulated Foam Suit Pub and Hotel Seating?
Reticulated foam suits pub and hotel seating because its open cell structure lets water drain away instead of being held inside the cushion.
Reticulated foam is foam whose thin cell membranes have been removed, leaving an open skeleton that air and water pass through. Our QuickDry reticulated foam is rated at 20 to 30 pores per inch and is treated with an antimicrobial agent that helps prevent the spread of mould and fungus in humid conditions. Our guide to quick dry foam for outdoor cushions explains how it differs from standard foam.
| Property | QuickDry Reticulated Foam | Standard Upholstery Foam |
|---|---|---|
| Cell structure | Open, porous skeleton | Cell membranes trap water |
| Water held after 60 seconds | 40% in our test | 80% in our test |
| Best for | Cushions left outside | Indoor seating with covers |
| Mould resistance | Antimicrobial treatment | No outdoor treatment |
| Grades | Soft, Medium, Firm | Full upholstery range |
Which QuickDry Grade Should You Choose?
Choose QuickDry Firm for thin seat pads, Medium for deeper seat cushions and Soft for back cushions, matching the grade to the thickness and the job.
| Application | Recommended Grade | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Bench and picnic table seat pads | QuickDry Firm | Recommended for seat pads from 5 to 15cm |
| Deck chairs and director chairs | QuickDry Firm | Holds shape on a thin pad |
| Terrace sofa seat cushions | QuickDry Medium | Recommended for seat cushions from 10 to 15cm |
| Sun loungers at hotel pools | QuickDry Medium | Recommended for sun loungers |
| Sofa and day bed back cushions | QuickDry Soft | Recommended for back cushions from 10cm |
Firm grade QuickDry has a density above 32 kg/m3, Medium above 30 kg/m3 and Soft above 28 kg/m3. For hotel pool areas, our sun lounger foam guide covers lounger cushions in more detail, and for built in benches see our bench cushions range, which includes L shapes and wedge seats.
Do Commercial Outdoor Cushions Need to Meet Fire Rules?
Commercial outdoor cushions are part of the venue’s seating, so the fire risk assessment for the premises should decide what standard they need to meet.
VisitBritain’s business guidance says hotels, pubs and restaurants are medium hazard premises whose furniture and furnishings should comply with commercial fire safety standards, rather than the domestic Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1988. It names BS 7176 for this kind of seating, but it does not deal with garden furniture separately.
QuickDry showed higher fire resistance than UK industry standard reticulated foam in our in-house burn tests. If your venue needs a particular fire standard for outdoor seating, speak to our team before you order and check what your covers need to meet too. Our fire retardant foam guide explains UK foam fire safety, and for indoor bar and booth seating see our contract bar seating range.
How to Re-Foam Outdoor Seating for a Pub, Hotel or Cafe
Re-foaming a venue’s outdoor seating takes seven steps, and the measuring is best done in winter so the cushions are ready for the first warm weekend.
List every outdoor seat. Count the benches, sofas, loungers and chairs in the garden or terrace and note which cushions are seats, backs or pads.
Check your fire requirements. Ask whoever holds the venue’s fire risk assessment what standard the outdoor seating and covers must meet.
Measure each cushion or cover. Measure length, width and thickness of each cushion or cover, and draw templates for curved or corner pieces.
Choose the QuickDry grade for each piece. Use Firm for seat pads and deck chairs from 5 to 15cm, Medium for seat cushions and loungers from 10 to 15cm, and Soft for back cushions from 10cm.
Pair the foam with drainable covers. Fit the foam into outdoor covers that let water drain through, ideally with a mesh panel on the underside.
Order a spare set for peak season. Order a few spare cushions in the commonest sizes so damaged or stained ones can be swapped straight away.
Store cushions under cover between seasons. Clean, dry and store cushions somewhere ventilated over winter to make them last longer.
If you would like a specific QuickDry Foam grade (soft, medium or firm) please contact us before placing your order or leave a note when prompted to during checkout. Otherwise, we will select what we believe will be the appropriate grade based on the dimensions of your QuickDry foam shape.
Our guide on how to measure foam cushions shows how to measure existing covers, and our pallet seating guide covers the pallet benches many beer gardens use.
Mistakes to Avoid with Commercial Outdoor Cushions
- Using indoor foam outside. Standard upholstery foam holds water, so cushions stay wet, grow mould and break down far sooner.
- Fitting non-draining covers. Even reticulated foam stays wet if the cover traps water, so choose outdoor fabric with a drainage panel underneath.
- Ordering one grade for everything. Thin seat pads need QuickDry Firm and back cushions suit Soft, so match the grade to each piece.
- Ignoring the fire risk assessment. Outdoor seating is still part of the venue, so check what standard it needs before buying.
- Leaving cushions out all winter. Dry, ventilated storage between seasons keeps covers clean and foam in good condition for longer.
Why Choose GB Foam Direct?
GB Foam Direct has converted foam in High Wycombe since 1976 and works to ISO 9001, supplying everyone from single customers to large manufacturers. We cut QuickDry reticulated foam for commercial outdoor seating to any size on CNC machines or by experienced freehand cutters, work from your templates for curved and corner pieces, and give a 5 year guarantee against faults in manufacture. Orders placed before 11am Monday to Thursday are eligible for next working day delivery, so replacements can arrive before a busy weekend.
Speak to Our Team
If you need help choosing foam for your pub, hotel or cafe outdoor seating, call us on 01494 441177, email sales@gbfoam.com or fill out our contact form. We are in the office from 9am to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am to 3pm on Friday.
Commercial Outdoor Cushions FAQs
What foam is best for pub garden cushions?
Reticulated foam is best for pub garden cushions because its open cell structure lets water drain straight through. In our drainage test, QuickDry reticulated foam held 40% of poured water after 60 seconds, against 80% for normal foam.
Can outdoor cushions stay out in the rain?
Outdoor cushions can stay out in the rain if they are made from reticulated foam with covers that let water drain. Standard upholstery foam soaks up water like a sponge and stays wet for hours, so it is not suitable for seating left outside.
Do hotel and pub outdoor cushions need to be fire rated?
Hospitality guidance from VisitBritain treats hotels, pubs and restaurants as medium hazard premises whose furniture should meet commercial fire safety standards. It does not address garden furniture separately, so check what your fire risk assessment requires for outdoor seating before you order.
Does GB Foam Direct supply outdoor foam for commercial use?
Yes, GB Foam Direct supplies QuickDry reticulated outdoor cushion foam for commercial applications, including pub gardens, hotel terraces and cafe seating. We cut seat pads, cushions and shaped pieces to size in High Wycombe, from a few cushions to a full venue.
What thickness should outdoor seat cushions be?
Outdoor seat cushions in QuickDry Medium are recommended from 10 to 15cm thick, and seat pads in QuickDry Firm from 5 to 15cm. Back cushions in QuickDry Soft are recommended from 10cm upwards.
How long do commercial outdoor cushions last?
Commercial outdoor cushions last longest when they use reticulated foam, drainable covers and dry winter storage. QuickDry foam is treated with an antimicrobial agent that helps prevent mould and fungus in humid conditions, and our foam carries a 5 year guarantee against faults in manufacture.
What size sheets does QuickDry foam come in?
QuickDry reticulated foam sheets measure 230cm x 115cm and come in thicknesses of 1 inch (25mm), 1.5 inches (38mm), 2 inches (50mm), 3 inches (75mm) and 4 inches (100mm). We can also cut cushions and shapes to your exact sizes.
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