Mattress support and comfort are essential for a good night’s sleep. Support is a mattress’s ability to resist and distribute the pressure from the heavier parts of your body evenly. Comfort is the feel of the
mattress and is a mattress’s ability to cushion and soothe your body
at mattress/body contact areas. The terms 'firm', 'extra-firm', or 'plush'
related to the comfort of a mattress.
Although mattresses have evolved over the years such that some are now a hybrid
of several styles, there are still five basic types from which to choose.
Innerspring Mattresses
An innerspring mattress is what most people sleep on every
night. The traditional innerspring mattress includes a structure of tempered steel
coils (#2, above) to provide support for the
body. Surrounding the coil structure are cushioning materials (3) and upholstery (1) that insulate the body from the springs and provide comfort.
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Pillow top innerspring mattresses are manufactured with a thick, luxurious layer of soft padding
(similar to a pillow) along the entire length and width of the mattress. The purpose
of the pillow is to provide a very soft, deep, feather bed-like sleeping experience
while the innerspring coil system supports the back and heavier parts of the body.
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In the past, the durability and support of an innerspring mattress
was correlated only to the number of coils (or coil count) in the innerspring core.
Today, the support and durability is related more to the overall design of
the spring system - taking into account the gauge of the wire, type of coil, and the
coil count. The coil count will usually range from 300 coils to 800 coils
in a queen sized mattress. Typically, a higher number of coils indicates a firmer
mattress. Wire gauge can range from 18-gauge wire to 12.5-gauge
wire with the lower number gauge being the thickest and heaviest wire. Sometimes,
when comparing mattresses of the same size, a mattress with a higher coil count
and lower gauge wire may provide greater support and durability than a mattress
with a lower coil count and higher gauge wire.
What really determines the overall life span and support of a mattress is the
type of coil used in the innerspring core. Coil types include the following:
Open coil (or bonnell coil), off-set coil, pocket coil (or independent coil), and
continuous coil.
The open coil is the oldest type of coil and provides good support when new, but
will start to sag over time. A mattress with this type of system is usually
less durable.
The off-set coil type is more durable than the open coil type and is designed to
contour better.
The pocket, or independent coil type has each coil wrapped in its own fabric pocket
in order to isolate movement from adjacent coils. Only the coils directly
under the sleeper will experience deflection and they will not redirect the load
to other coils. This design is desirable for sleepers whose partners toss
and turn during the night. Unfortunately, this coil design can cause coils
to permanently deform more quickly than those in other coil designs when used by
heavy people.
Continuous coil innerspring mattresses use entire coil rows fabricated from a single
strand of wire. This design allows weight to be distributed more evenly among
and results in a mattress that keeps its shape longer.
Foam Mattresses
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Foam mattresses are comprised of either a solid core of foam or a composite of different types
and layers to enhance support, comfort, and performance.
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Memory foam or visco-elastic foam is a specific comfort
material that conforms to the body by reacting to temperature
and weight. The foam is referred to as “memory foam” because, after weight is removed,
the foam will return to its original shape. If you switch positions during your
sleep, it will conform to the new contours, providing
comfort in any position. Innerspring mattresses, foam mattresses, water bed mattresses, air mattresses and
futon mattresses all can come with memory foam layers.
Memory foam is temperature sensitive and becomes firmer
in cold temperatures and softer in warm temperatures. For maximum comfort, a good
quality memory foam mattress should have a large temperature range in which it
will remain soft and conforming.
Higher quality foam mattresses are normally
less costly that the higher quality innerspring mattresses, but foam
mattresses are not normally produced for orthopedic back support.
Air Mattresses
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An air mattress is comprised of an inflatable core (rather
than an innerspring or foam core) that provides back and body support. Some air mattresses
come with layers of cushioning and upholstery to achieve a variety of support
and comfort levels.
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The support level of most air mattresses is adjustable by increasing or decreasing
the amount of air in the mattress core. The benefit of an air mattress is the ability
for the sleeper to fine-tune the mattress support to match their desires every night.
Air mattresses can be used for portable or permanent
bedding. If cared for properly, air mattresses can have a very long, useful life.
Waterbed Mattress
Waterbed mattresses use a core filled with water for body support, and layers
of cushioning and upholstery materials for comfort. A waterbed mattress should
have water tight and durable core construction with a moisture barrier.
Waterbed mattresses are preferred by some people because they can be easily and
comfortably heated. They have a very long life span of well
over ten years if they are cared for properly. Care and maintenance wil cost more expensive than other mattresses, and
heating a water bed can be rather expensive. Waterbed mattresses
are very heavy once filled with water need to be placed on a floor that can support the combined weight of the mattress and bed.
Adjustable
Bed Mattresses
Adjustable beds allow you to choose the position
of the head and foot of the bed for maximum comfort. This is very beneficial
for people who need to sleep with their head elevated for health
purposes. Adjustable beds can also be a good choice for people that read, work,
or watch television while in bed.
Adjustable bed mattresses can be either innerspring, air, or foam core.
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Futon Mattresses
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Futon mattresses are designed to support the
body while in a lying position and in a sitting position, and are manufactured to
be very flexible. Futon mattresses can constructed with a foam or innerspring
core.
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Firmness Levels
Most mattress styles come with a variety of padding materials for different levels
of firmness or comfort. Innerspring and foam mattresses (unless memory foam is used)
will usually be rated by the manufacturer as
Firm,
Extra Firm,
Medium Firm,
Plush,
Ultra Plush, or
Plush Pillow Top.
The proper firmness is completely objective. Before purchasing a mattress, it is recommended that you lie down on the mattress
for several minutes in your typical sleeping position to determine if the mattress
is right for you.
Mattresses with high quality materials for comfort and cushioning will experience
some body impressions and contouring over time, and will still remain comfortable to the bed owner
in his/her normal sleeping position - but may be less comfortable in others. It may be less comfortable if shared with guests to whom
the “contours” do not belong. Rotating the mattress (unless the manufacturer indicates
otherwise) will help to even out these impressions.
Mattress Sizes
Standard mattress sizes from smallest to largest:
are:
Before purchasing a mattress, be sure of your bed frame size, should you intend to keep it.
from these and other top manufacturers: