BARGAINS : LINE FOR FOAM FORMS HERE.

Byline: Trisha King & Deborah Newmark

Many people assume that when chair and sofa seat cushions become flat or misshapen, it's time to buy new furniture. Rather than paying hundreds of dollars for a new chair or sofa, why not save lots of money by replacing the foam rubber at Foam Mart?

Depending on the quality and where you shop, an 8-foot sofa with three seat cushions can cost anywhere from $500 to $2,000. Instead of buying a new sofa, you can take in the seat cushions and have the foam rubber replaced for as low as $50.

Since 1964, Foam Mart has been supplying various forms of foam rubber to the public and to the special-effects, recording and film industries. The most recent movies using Foam Mart's products are ``Volcano'' and ``Batman & Robin.'' Discounts generally run 10 percent to 40 percent below retail.

If you want to replace the foam rubber in your upholstered furniture seats, take in the whole cushion. Foam Mart will remove the old stuffing and replace it with new, 4-inch foam rubber, by using a special machine that removes all the air from the foam rubber. When everything is in place, the foam rubber ``grows'' into the seat cover. As long as you purchase the foam rubber there, this service is free.

In addition to foam rubber, Foam Mart also specializes in vinyl. Among at least 200 rolls in solids, prints and patterns, you'll find upholstery vinyl starting at $9.75 a yard ($10.98 retail), and for boats or recreational vehicles, marine vinyl - UV treated and mildew resistant - starts at $14.95 a yard.

There are always closeout specials at Foam Mart. They are currently running a $5.99-a-yard closeout on rolls of various upholstery fabrics. Each roll contains seven to 40 yards of 54-inch fabric that normally retails for $15 to $25 a yard.

Foam Mart is at 628 N. Victory Blvd., Burbank; [phone]. Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. American Express, MasterCard and Visa are accepted.

Inside info:

Consumers Furniture features a Kids Korner where they have a sturdy, solid pine bunk bed that separates into two beds for $199 (normally $219). In their business department they have a home office 60-inch computer desk for $329 (normally $379). Check out their clearance room where you'll find blow-out prices on discontinued items. They carry furniture for every room in the house at discount prices. Consumers Furniture is at 21048 W. Golden Triangle Road, Saugus; [phone]. Hours are 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

If you're serious about barbecuing, stop at the Half Price Store, where you can save up to 48 percent off retail. For example, a MHP barbecue with sear magic cooking, grids and warming rack is $439 (normally $842) and a Fire Magic with built-in twin burner, 22- by 24-inch barbecue is $632 (normally $945). They also specialize in replacement parts for most major brand barbecues. Half Price Store is at 6367 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys; [phone]. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

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Photo

Photo: At Foam Mart, employee Marcos Ayala demonstrates to Shannon, Claudia (center) and Matthew Locke how he will cut foam rubber to repad their furniture.

John McCoy/Daily News