Month: December 2014

The Many Uses of Flexible Polyurethane Foam

Written by: Foam Factory, Inc.

Global consumption of polyurethane is overwhelmingly related to foam products. Polyurethane is flexible, but can also be made rigid as well. This flexibility allows a wide range of foam products, which also helps to drive down the costs of manufacturing in some sectors. Foam lining provides insulation in refrigerators, or as part of thermal insulation for construction projects. Foam is even cut and shaped for a variety of applications. Read on for some of the popular uses engineers have found for foam products.

Foam for Bedding

Custom cushions are useful for those who want to refurbish outdoor furniture. The trend is to buy attractive pieces from garage sales that need some work. Typically, new owners will sand and repaint something. Then they cut foam cushions to fit the size. This approach is also good for refinishing boating cushions, or for adding some extra padding to beds and pillows.

Print Industry

The printing industry uses rollers to feed paper through presses. Foam is used to make elastomers, which have a texture not unlike rubber. These rollers help the presses function efficiently and produce several projects in a matter of minutes.

Soundproofing Materials

The density of foam panels makes for excellent soundproofing. Foam with a higher density can absorb bass, and other sound, so it makes for excellent insulation in clubs and sound booths as well. Recording artists require sound deadening foam to reduce the echo in a room for music production, and home theater enthusiasts appreciate the better sound quality foam brings to the room. Acoustic foam panels also help reduce the noise output for neighbors, so enthusiasts enjoy louder sound without disrupting the neighborhood.

Foam is also hardened, like plastic, and used as bezels for electronic instruments.

Straps and Bands

Foam itself is not used, rather a compound similar to elastomers is produced. It comes out like a rubber band, flexible and stretchable.  It’s also highly resilient and able to stretch and bend to immense pressure.

Other Uses

Flexible polyurethane foam is useful in sculptures as well. Modern day plaster pieces that are mass produced often have a foam structure below the plaster. The seats of cars often have a flexible piece of foam just below the cloth or leather covering, and polyurethane chemicals are often used to help shape car seats. The biggest advantage to using polyurethane, besides its cheap cost, is the ability to do so much with so little. This product is one of the most versatile materials used in modern manufacturing.

Stylish Ideas for Fencing Your Pool

Article written by : Wa Paint – Home Improvement News, Resources and Tips

Whether you’re installing a new swimming pool or simply upgrading an old one, your pool is most probably the centerpiece of your backyard, the place where family and friends gather to have some fun in the sun. For this reason, the pool is the perfect place for a surrounding landscape with lush trees and plenty of flowers.

Although your pool area is a great place for landscaping and decorating, don’t forget that you also need a fence. A pool fence is the responsible way to protect children and adults from drowning in your pool or spa. In fact, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission’s national Pool safety campaign reinforces installing a fence pool as one of its many safety steps. But just because you need a fence, it doesn’t mean it should take anything away from the beauty of the landscape.

There are many stylish pool fence ideas designed for safety as well as aesthetic purposes. Enhance your pool area with these tasteful fencing ideas that create a safe environment for the whole family.
Frameless Glass Fencing: What better way to fence your pool without sacrificing style than installing a frameless glass fence? Virtually indivisible, a frameless glass fence is the perfect addition to a sleek minimalist-style pool area.

A frameless glass fence is flexible and versatile. It can be installed nearly anywhere, including sloping sites. It can be deck mounted or core drilled into concrete or paving. The gates are hung directly on glass, which means you don’t have to add unsightly posts. A frameless glass fence is also easy to maintain. Water and dust can flow under the glass, which reduces the accumulation of trash and grime. Maintaining the fence simply requires routine cleaning of the glass.

Combination fencing: If you don’t want purely frameless fencing options, consider combination fencing. This option is more affordable than frameless glass fencing, but still offers a sleek look that can be tailored to fit your landscaping needs. Combination fencing comes with a variety of choices, which means the final product will be unique. The glass fencing portion of the fence can be used to maintain a beautiful view and also to block wind and noise.

In addition to fencing options, you can also consider glass for the swimming pool walls. Glass swimming pool walls lets in natural light, widens small areas, and offers a sleek and modern look. The final design is up to you.