What is the best mix of down and feathers in a seat cushion?

What is the best mix of down and feathers in a seat cushion?

Customer Question

I am looking for a bench cushion to be made with down and feathers wrapped over foam. my question is which mix of down/feathers would be the most comfortable? 10/90, 30/70 or 50/50?

Down has a softer feel and better "loft" (the ability to "bounce back") than feathers.
 
  • Down is significantly more expensive.
The overall comfort will also depend on the ratio of your cushion's foam to the down/feathers.
 
  • If you are using a foam core with only a thin topper of down/feathers, the comfort probably won't change that much regardless of which down/feather ratio you are using. 
  • If most of your cushion's thickness is made up of down/feathers, more down will noticeably make the cushion feel softer, improve the overall comfort (and increase the price.) 
If you are thinking of getting a thick foam core with only a thin topping of down/feathers, you may be better off getting a Spring Down cushion.
 
  • The difference in comfort is minimal, except that the Spring Down cushion should last far longer before needing replacement. 
  • Good spring down cushions typically last 15+ years.  All custom upholsterers, who offer multiple down/feather options, will be able to make Spring down cushions.
Spring Down cushions have an inner core of fabric wrapped coil springs (also known as Marshall units*.)
 
  • The coil springs are surrounded by a foam border.
  • A down proof ticking filled with feathers and down goes above and below the coil spring center core.
* Historical note - Marshall units were first introduced in 1901 in mattresses specifically made for luxury ocean liners. At that time they were considered the finest (and most expensive) mattresses in the world. 30 years later, the Simmons Mattress company figured out how to automate the process of manufacturing Marshall units. The result was the Simmons BeautyRest line.  Marshall units are still used in Beautyrest mattresses.
 
Photo shown above is the Buckley sofa with bench seat by Taylor King.
 

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