The Best Foam for Kneeling Pads & Garden Kneelers
A kneeling pad is a slab of foam you kneel on to cushion your knees on hard or wet ground, and the best foam for one depends on where you kneel. For garden kneelers, closed cell foam such as Plastazote LD33 stays dry and wipes clean, while church kneelers are usually filled with hard wearing reconstituted foam inside a cover. At GB Foam Direct we supply both from High Wycombe, as closed cell sheets and as foam cut to size for kneelers.
Key takeaways
- Closed cell foam such as Plastazote LD33 absorbs less than 1% water, which makes it the best choice for garden kneelers.
- Plastazote LD33 has a nominal density of 33 kg/m3 and comes in 200cm x 100cm sheets from 5mm to 50mm thick.
- Church kneelers, also called hassocks, are commonly filled with reconstituted foam, which we recommend for frequently used cushions and pads.
- Open cell foam, including memory foam, soaks up water and suits indoor kneelers with removable covers only.
- The NHS advises using padding when kneeling puts a lot of pressure on joints, and taking regular breaks.
- We have cut foam in High Wycombe since 1976, and orders before 11am Monday to Thursday are eligible for next working day delivery.
What Is a Kneeling Pad?
A kneeling pad is a flat foam cushion that sits between your knees and the ground or floor. Gardeners, tradespeople, cleaners and churchgoers use them to make kneeling more comfortable.
A garden kneeler is the same idea built for outdoor use, and a church kneeler or hassock is a covered foam pad used for prayer. The foam inside is what decides whether the pad copes with damp, mud and years of use.
The NHS page on bursitis advises using padding when putting a lot of pressure on joints, for example when kneeling, and taking regular breaks. For knee pain that does not settle, speak to a GP.
Which Foam Is Best for Kneeling Pads?
Closed cell foam is the best foam for kneeling pads used outside, and reconstituted foam is the usual choice for indoor and church kneelers.
Closed cell foam has sealed cells, so water cannot pass through it. Our Plastazote LD33 closed cell foam has water absorption under 1%, and it is odourless, lightweight and easy to clean.
Open cell foams, explained in our guide to what open cell foam is, have connected cells that let air and water through. That makes them comfortable indoors but slow to dry if left on wet grass.
| Foam | Cell Structure | Water | Best Kneeler Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastazote LD33 | Closed cell polyethylene | Under 1% absorption | Garden and outdoor kneelers |
| Recon (chip) foam | Bonded polyurethane crumb | Absorbs water | Church and indoor kneelers |
| GB 33H Average Hard | Open cell polyurethane | Absorbs water | Indoor pads with a cover |
| GB 55M memory foam | Open cell viscoelastic | Absorbs water | Indoor kneelers with a removable cover |
| QuickDry reticulated foam | Very open cell | Drains quickly | Outdoor cushions rather than kneelers |
Which Kneeling Pad Should You Choose?
Choose your kneeling pad by where it will be used: closed cell foam for wet ground, recon foam for church kneelers and covered polyurethane foam for dry indoor floors.
| Application | Recommended Foam | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Garden beds and lawns | Plastazote LD33, thinner sheet | Stays dry, light to carry |
| Patios, gravel and paving | Plastazote LD33, thicker sheet up to 50mm | More cushioning on hard ground |
| Church kneelers and hassocks | Recon foam cut to size | Hard wearing for frequent use |
| Bathroom, bath time or cleaning | Plastazote LD33 | Wipes clean, does not hold water |
| Workshop or garage floor | Plastazote LD33 or recon foam | Resists oil and most chemicals, or very durable |
Our church pews and church kneelers page recommends reconstituted foam for kneelers because it is hard wearing and great for frequently used cushions and pads. Recon foam is made from shredded polyurethane offcuts compressed and bonded together, as our guide to reconstituted foam explains, and recon sheets run from half an inch to 4 inches thick.
Plastazote LD33 is highly resistant to many chemicals, including most acids, alkalis, solvents and oils. That makes it a practical choice for garage and workshop kneelers.
What Makes a Good Garden Kneeler?
A good garden kneeler is light, waterproof and thick enough to cushion your knees on soil, lawn and paving, which is why closed cell foam is the usual choice. Plastazote LD33 is weatherproof with good ultraviolet stability, so it suits use outdoors in sun and showers.
Water does not soak into or pass through Plastazote LD33, so a garden kneeler made from it does not draw moisture up from wet grass or damp soil. It is also easily wiped clean and can be disinfected, so mud, compost and plant sap come off with a hose or a damp cloth.
Plastazote LD33 comes in nine colours. Black and white sheets run from 5mm to 50mm thick, and blue, green, grey, orange, purple, red and yellow from 10mm to 50mm. A bright colour such as orange, red or yellow is easier to spot when you put the pad down among plants.
A foam garden kneeler helps with these jobs:
- Weeding and planting borders. A pad wide enough for both knees lets you work along a bed without kneeling on wet soil.
- Lawn edging. A thinner, lighter pad is easy to move along the lawn edge as you trim.
- Patio and path work. A thicker pad cushions your knees on paving while you weed joints or reset slabs.
- Pots and low raised beds. A pad keeps your knees off cold, hard ground while you repot or plant up low beds.
- Pond and water feature jobs. Plastazote LD33 is buoyant, so a pad that slips into the pond floats and can be lifted out.
How to Make a Foam Kneeling Pad
To make a foam kneeling pad, pick the right foam for where you kneel, mark the size on a sheet and cut it with a sharp serrated or electric knife.
Decide where you will kneel. Wet soil, lawns and patios call for closed cell foam, while indoor floors and church kneelers can use reconstituted foam inside a cover. This choice decides the material.
Pick the size. Kneel on a sheet of newspaper and mark the area your knees and shins cover, with a margin all round. A pad wide enough for both knees side by side is easiest to use.
Choose the thickness. Thicker foam gives more cushioning on hard or stony ground. Plastazote LD33 comes in sheets from 5mm to 50mm, so choose a thicker sheet for patios and gravel.
Order the foam. Order a Plastazote LD33 sheet for outdoor kneelers, or recon foam cut to size for indoor or church kneelers. One 200cm x 100cm sheet makes several pads.
Cut the pads. Mark each pad on the sheet with a straight edge and cut with an electric carving knife or a long, sharp serrated knife. Test your cut on a corner offcut first.
Add a handle or cover if you want one. Cut a hand hole near one edge of a closed cell pad so it is easy to carry. Recon foam kneelers need a fabric cover, which you sew or have made separately.
Rinse and dry after use. Hose mud off a Plastazote pad and stand it on edge to dry. Its closed cells absorb less than 1% water, so it dries quickly.
Our guide on how to cut foam covers the right knives. It also warns never to use a hot wire cutter on polyurethane foam.
Mistakes to Avoid With Kneeling Pads
- Using open cell foam outdoors. It soaks up water from damp ground and stays wet.
- Choosing foam that is too thin. Thin pads let you feel stones and paving edges through them.
- Leaving a garden kneeler in the rain. Even closed cell foam lasts longer if it is rinsed, dried and stored out of the sun.
- Skipping a cover on church kneelers. Recon foam needs a fabric cover to look tidy and stay clean.
- Kneeling for too long. The NHS advises regular breaks from activities like kneeling that put pressure on joints.
Why Choose GB Foam Direct?
We have cut foam in High Wycombe since 1976 and have supplied places of worship with pew and kneeler foam for many years. We stock Plastazote LD33 in nine colours and cut recon foam to the size of your existing kneeler covers, with bulk discounts available on larger orders. We work to ISO 9001 and give a 5 year guarantee against faults in manufacture. Browse every shape on our foam cut to size page.
Speak to Our Team
If you need help choosing foam for kneeling pads, garden kneelers or church kneelers, 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.
Kneeling Pad FAQs
What is the best foam for a kneeling pad?
The best foam for an outdoor kneeling pad is a closed cell polyethylene foam such as Plastazote LD33, because it does not soak up water and wipes clean. For indoor and church kneelers, a hard wearing reconstituted foam inside a fabric cover is a common choice. Open cell foam is best kept indoors and dry.
What is a garden kneeler made of?
Most garden kneelers are made from closed cell foam, which stays dry on wet ground and is easy to clean. At GB Foam Direct we supply Plastazote LD33 closed cell foam in 200cm x 100cm sheets from 5mm to 50mm thick, which can be cut into kneeling pads at home.
How thick should a kneeling pad be?
A kneeling pad should be thick enough that you do not feel stones or paving through it. Thicker closed cell foam, towards the 30mm to 50mm end of the range, suits hard patios and gravel, while thinner pads are lighter to carry for soft lawns and beds.
Are kneeling pads good for your knees?
Kneeling pads spread your weight and put a soft layer between your knees and the ground. The NHS advises using padding when putting a lot of pressure on joints, for example when kneeling, and taking regular breaks. Speak to a GP if you have ongoing knee pain.
What foam is used in church kneelers?
Church kneelers, also called hassocks or tuffets, are commonly filled with reconstituted foam because it is hard wearing and suits cushions that are used often. At GB Foam Direct we recommend recon foam for kneelers and cut it to the size of your existing covers.
Can I use memory foam for a kneeling pad?
Memory foam is soft and comfortable but is open cell, so it absorbs water and is hard to clean outdoors. It suits an indoor kneeler with a removable cover better than a garden kneeler. For outdoor use, choose closed cell foam such as Plastazote LD33.
Can I make my own kneeling pad?
Yes, you can make your own kneeling pad by cutting a sheet of closed cell foam to size with a sharp serrated knife or an electric carving knife. A single 200cm x 100cm sheet of Plastazote LD33 makes several pads, and you can cut a hand hole for carrying.
Cameron has emerged as a key marketing expert since joining GB Foam Ltd in 2017. A graduate of the University of Winchester, with a professional background in Public Relations; he has combined his content writing and brand awareness expertise with an in-depth knowledge of foam products and foam conversion technology to enhance the company’s marketing strategies and industry presence. Cameron has led numerous marketing campaigns, in both B2B and B2C segments, to further brand recognition and open up new business avenues worldwide.