Mattress Buying Guide

Memory Foam Mattresses

Traditional spring mattresses are manufactured with foam, springs and padding. Over time these mattresses will begin to show their age because of the wear and tear of regular use. When depressions form in these traditional spring mattresses, the sagging and dips can be very uncomfortable to sleep on. You may find yourself trying to position yourself around the dents and valleys. This is definitely not comfortable nor does it aid you in your search for a good night's sleep. Bad springs, cheap foam or both of these can be the cause of these uncomfortable depressions. The denser and heavier the foam, the more it will hold up over time. You will want to make sure the padding in your next mattress is at least a 2.5 pound foam or heavier. Pillow-top mattresses frequently dip where your body rests. The foam, polyester, or cotton used when making the mattress pillow tops will compress over time. This is also true of the foam used in the construction of futons. You will notice depressions formed from the weight of your body over time. Most of these mattresses feel great at the start of their life when you first purchase them, but this comfort will not last. This is due to the density of the materials used. The denser the material the longer it will last, but you must also consider the comfort the mattress materials will provide you. Like all mattresses, a memory foam mattress is great for some, but can be uncomfortable for others. It depends on your personal preference.

Memory Foam Mattresses are very different from other mattresses. These mattresses mold into your body shape to provide comfort using Visco-Elastic Foam. It's an open-celled, body-heat and body-weight sensitive material originally designed to relieve the pressure of G-forces experienced by astronauts in flight. Its visco-elastic properties allow it to automatically sense your weight and temperature and respond by molding to your body's exact shape and position.

Memory foam was developed in 1966 by NASA researchers and was released to the public domain in the early 1980s. The manufacturing process was difficult and expensive so it was not widely used. Memory foam was initially most commonly used in medical settings for cushions, pillows and mattresses. Since the manufacturing process has become less expensive, more mattresses have found their way into market.

Memory foam is polyurethane with added chemicals to increase its density and viscosity. It is sometimes referred to as low-resilience polyurethane foam. Memory foam softens as it reacts to body heat, allowing it to mold to the body's shape. The mattress will return to its original shape slowly. Because of its ability to mold to the body, the memory foam mattress lacks pressure points and helps alleviate back and neck pain for many users. Another advantage over traditional mattresses is that memory foam mattresses are anti-microbial and resist dust mites.

Don't make the mistake many do and get a memory mattress confused with a latex mattress. Click on the link to learn the difference.

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Mattress Buying Guide

What To Look For In A New Innerspring Mattress

Construction Basics
The box spring is very important. Also known as the foundation, the box spring can dramatically increase the life expectancy of your mattress. There is the myth you may have heard that box springs are not significant in the purchase of bedding. But this is not true. You want your mattress to last as long as possible. The purchase of a mattress is a significant one -- one that you are taking time to research and do right. Although it is true that a mattress placed on a new box spring will feel the same as that mattress on an old box spring, that mattress will last only 1/3 as long as the one on the new box spring. Most brand name mattresses purchased today will last 10 years on a new box spring while a mattress on an old box spring will only last 3 to 4 years. Clearly it is a significant part of the purchase. So when shopping, look for mattresses with steel reinforced box springs, which will add to the longevity and BUY THE WHOLE SET -- MATTRESS AND BOX SPRING. Because it does not make financial sense to just purchase the box spring, all of our buying guide information is for entire sets.

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The most important part of the mattress in the support of the body is the mattress core. The box spring supports the mattress: the mattress supports you. The core of the mattress is made up of metal coils, also simply known as coils. Here are three points you need to know about coils in mattresses when seeking to purchase the right mattress for you.

The number of coils found in a mattress should correspond to how much support a mattress gives you. For instance, a mattress with 300 coils will give you less support than a mattress with 700 coils. This does not mean that a mattress with 300 coils is a poor mattress - that may be just the right amount of support for you. If you prefer a very firm mattress you should look for one with a higher coil count. Please note that this is a general rule and there are exceptions. Some of the most expensive and comfortable mattresses in the world have just 412 coils.

Another area to consider with regard to the coils in a mattress is the gauge of the coils. The gauge refers to the number of coils it would take to make an inch. Heavy gauge - thick - coils will offer a great deal of support while light gauge coils will offer less support. There is nothing wrong with having heavy or light gauge coils in your mattress; the problem comes you are shown a mattress with a low coil count and heavy gauge wire as a firm mattress. This mattress will become lumpy quickly because it does not have enough coils to maintain that firm support. Most brand name mattress companies do stay within a reasonable range when making their mattresses.

Third, you should consider the connections between the coils when choosing the best mattress for your needs. The number and quality of these interconnecting wires is not typically published. If there are too few of these interconnecting wires a mattress can lose its shape more quickly than one that has an adequate amount. Mattresses that sag quickly usually have few interconnecting wires.

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The upholstery on top of the mattress is important for the basic comfort of the body. This choice is a personal preference and totally up to you. If you want to feel like you are sleeping on a feather bed while actually getting the real support your body needs -- look for a "pillow top". If you prefer to feel like you are sleeping on a board- look for the cover that has the thinnest upholstery available. Neither choice will lead to a poor night's sleep. The upholstery is simply there for the time that you are awake while in bed. You will get the same support from a "pillow top" as you will with a "regular-top" on the same bed. The choice should be made by what feels the best to you when you try out the mattress.

If you were to separate an innerspring mattress into all of its individual parts, you would have a bunch of metal, fabric and a little bit of plastic. Typically, the most costly part is the fabric which can be cotton, silk, wool, etc. That cost can add up. Pillow top mattresses are extremely popular and they have the most fabric and foam. Interestingly, the fabric is also the area that will show wear the soonest. It is much more likely that your pillow top will begin to sag before the metal springs underneath begin to lose their rigidity. If you do decide that a pillow top mattress is for you make sure you rotate and flip, assuming that it is flippable, regularly. Flipping will help delay the canoe effect that comes from wear.

Mattress Sizes - Which Size Should I Buy?

When deciding on the best mattress for your needs, one of the first considerations is the size of the mattress set you will purchase. The answer is not a simple one, but really just a matter of personal preference. So, whatever size makes you happy! One bit of advice we have here is measure your space first!! If you and your partner wake up because you bump into one another in the night, buy larger bed than you currently have -- maybe even a king sized bed. With a king sized bed, people who don't want to touch while sleeping during the night do not have to.

Still deciding? Well, there are a number of mattress sizes that you can purchase. The smallest is the twin mattress which measures 39 inches across by 75 inches in length. Twin mattresses also come in extra long; anyone who has experienced dorm life knows this is the college standard. If you have predict that your growing child will quickly outgrow his twin before you know it, you can opt for the extra long twin. Sheets and linens are readily available especially at back to school shopping time.

The standard mattress size in the 20th century was the full mattress measuring in at 54 inches by 75 inches, also referred to as a double bed. At the end of the 1900's the queen ascended her throne of mattress of choice. The queen sized mattress measures 60 inches by 80 inches. Finally there is the king mattress, measuring in at a whopping 76 inches by eighty inches -- a full 16 inches wider than the queen. Make sure your bedroom can handle this size mattress before purchasing. A queen may do just as nicely for your needs and allow you more space for night stands or clearance to walk around the bed more comfortably. If you do find yourself with an active sleeper for a bed partner who wakens you each night with tossing and turning, a king might be the best mattress purchase for you.

Here are the standard sizes of mattresses:

Twin Mattress: 39" x 75"
Full Mattress: 54" x 75"
Queen Mattress: 60" x 80"
King Mattress: 76" x 80"

Friday, July 25, 2014