Expert: Mark H. Miller - 5/9/2009

Question
QUESTION: Is 2 inch Dacron a good substitute for the original hog/horse hair fill in my upholstered, web suspension dining room seats?

ANSWER: Hello Fran,

No, it is not,  the best substitute for the original hog/horse hair pad is firm foam 1" to 2" thick,  then over the foam it is best to place a layer of either cotton batting or bonded Dacron batting.  Just Dacron only is too soft and will not last - after a few months the Dacron will flatten out and give no support at all.

Great question, I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you Mark, very much.  On follow-up, if the hog/horse hair is 2" thick should I go with 2" foam?  I will be using a 1" edge roll and cotton batting with it.  Know anyone who needs 7 yards of 2" dacron?
Many thanks,
Fran

Answer
Hi Fran,

From the floor to the center of the seat should be 18 inches, do not include the cotton batting when you calculate the height, just the foam only will do.  So the thickness of the foam should be determined by the distance from the top of the plywood seat and what it will take for the total to reach 18".

What upholsterers do is lay a yardstick flat on the seat and then measure from the floor to the yardstick,  that distance should be 18" and is standard seating height.

I hope this helps.

Mark Miller.