Headboard Fillings FAQs

What are the natural fillings?

Short answer

Horsehair matting, latex foam and 100% wool fabric.

Long answer

The first natural layer to be applied to your headboard is a thick layer of springy horse-hair which has been made into a sheet. The next layer is a foam made of natural latex – many people are suprised to elarn that latex is a natural material.  This is then topped with a sheet of 100% sheeps wool for a luxurious finish.

Are natural fillings more expensive?

Short answer

A touch.

Long answer

Every headboard or bed product we make has the option of man-made fillings or natural fillings and the price of the option depends on the size and model you’d like to order. Natural fillings are a touch more expensive than the man-made option and is reflective of the cost price of the materials at source.

What is horesehair matting?

Short answer

A thick layer of processed natural horsehair that looks like a sponge

Long answer

Often called wire horse hair in upholstery terms, natural horsehair is woven into a resilient sheet. It is durable, lasts for many years, breathable and retains its shape well. It is combined with layers of other natural materials inside your headboard as part of the construction process.

Can I use a polyester fabric on top of natural fillings?

Short answer

It is possible but also confusing!

Long answer

If you align what is important to you by selecting natural fillings for your headboard then we would think that is should folllow you’d stick with a naturally composed fabric such as linen or cotton. It is possible to use polyester or man-made fabrics on a headboard with natural fillings but that might spoil what you set out to acheive.

What are the man-made fillings?

Short answer

Foam and dacron.

Long answer

The foam is called CMHR foam t that stands for ‘Combustion Modified High Resilience’. It’s a premimum grade of upholstery foam that is fire retaardant unsed in modern upholstery methods. It has been developed to be very comforatble, breathable and supportive with brilliant recovery after compression.

What is Dacron?

Short answer

Dacron is the trademark name for upholstery wadding.

Long answer

Dacron is made of polyester fibres widely used in upholstery. It is woven into a sheet and helps to give a smooth, luxurious fiish amd gives the headboard a fuller appearance. It also prevents the top fabric from sitting directly on top of the foam and adds a little extra comfort without altering the support.

Does foam contain harmful chemicals?

Short answer

CMHR foam is manufactured using a chemical process. Howver, it is designed to meet strict UK safety standards and is commonly used throughout the upholstery industry.

Long answer

CMHR (Combustion Modified High Resilience) foam is engineered to provide consistent comfort, durability and resilience. Like most modern upholstery foams, it is manufactured from polyurethane and formulated to meet UK furniture fire safety regulations as part of a compliant upholstery system.

Some customers prefer natural fillings because they wish to reduce the amount of synthetic materials in their home. Others choose CMHR foam for its consistent performance and long-lasting comfort.

Neither option is inherently “better” … they simply reflect different priorities.

How long do man-made fillings last?

Short answer

A long time.

Long answer

A headboard isn’t something you buy every day and is usually bought to last a long while as an investment piece. Therefore the parts that make up its construction need to be up to the job whilst being comfortable, supportive and durable. Both man-made and natural fillings need to be respected and maintained in order to keep them looking and performing at tehir intended level of luxury.

Are natural fillings more breathable?

Short answer

It’s like for like.

Long answer

Mand-made headboard fillings have been developed to closely mimic natural ones in terms of comfort and breathability.  It’s not a ‘better than’ scenario – just ‘different’

Do natural and man-made fillings offer different support?

Short answer

Not so you’d notice.

Long answer

Natural and man-made fillings are both expertly upholstered by our expert craftspeople equally weel, each requiring slightly different skills. The aim is that you wouldn’t be ableto tell the difference from the outside or when using them.

Are natural fillings quieter?

Short answer

No, natural and man-made filligs sound the same.

Long answer

Both types are compressed during upholstery crisply – a Headboard Workshop product should not really make any sound due to its clever and expert construction. Cheap, mass-produced headboards may have a ‘crumple’ sound when you put your weight on them becuase they are made from cheap substitute components and fewer layers. Quality upholstery, using man-made or natural fillings won’t do this.

Can every Hadboard Workshop product be made with natural fillings?

Short answer

Some products are excluded – they are the Jersey Divan Bed Base, Alderney Ottoman Bed Base and our range of bespoke chairs..

Long answer

Every headboard inall sizes and all of our fully upholstered beds can be specified with natural fillings. These are the items which we make everything in-house for. Some of our bed bases and seating call for components from other suppliers and are not availabel with a natural fillings option – yet!

Can I change to natural fillings after my order has been placed?

Short answer

Probably, if you can act quickly.

Long answer

After thoughts happen. As long as your order has not progressed to the stage at which we are cutting materials, it will usually be very easy to swap to natural fillings from man-made or vice versa. All we need is a quick phone call to establish where your order is in the system and we can advise.

Can I discuss the filling options before ordering?

Short answer

100%

Long answer

If you would like to chat through the fillings options give our team a telephone call on 01291 628 216 before ordering.

Can I choose natural fillings if I am sending my own material?

Short answer

Of course.

Long answer

The material is the final layer of your bespoke headboard, everything else is selectable online for your order including which type of filling you would prefer.

How do I order a headboard with natural fillings?

Short answer

On the produt page.

Long answer

Each product page has various options from fabric, heigh and trim and now includes a section for your fillings choice. Simply click, pick and relax as you make your way through the options that the website presents to you as part of your bespoke headboard designing process – or, we can do it for you on 01291 628 216.

Do natural fillings require special care?

Short answer

No more or no less than a man-made filling.

Long answer

A headboard is not considered a ‘high use’ area. Therefore, you should include a quick clean as part of your annual home spruce up.  They are an investment piece and should be treated as such but no specialist attention should be needed.

Will natural fillings settle over time?

Short answer

No faster or slower than man-made, no.

Long answer

We upholster our items in such a way that ‘settling’ won’t happen during the items intended life span whetehr it’s filled with natural fibres or man-made ones. But, as with everything, treat it well and it will last as intended. 

How should I clean my upholstered headboard?

Short answer

Professional cleaning is recommended periodically.

Long answer

Cleaning should be performed by a mobile cleaning professional. There are so many combinations of fabrics i’s not a ‘one size fits all’ answer. All headboards will benefit from a gentle annual vaccuuming when you do your spring clean. Opting to have fabric protector applied to your headboard will protect the top fabric from any unintentional and accidental spills and provide an opportunity to lift the stain if you act swiftly.