Buying Guide: Mattress
MATTRESS SHOPPING CHECKLIST
|
Room Dimensions
_____ Feet & _____inches by
_____ Feet & _____inches |
Bed Frame Depth
____Inches |
Size:
- King
- Queen
- Full
- Twin
- Twin Extra Long
|
Type:
- Inner Spring Coil Count____ Wire Gauge____
Enclosed Coil____
- Memory Foam
- Latex
- Air
- Water Bed
|
Foundation:
- Regular Box Spring
- Return
|
Firmness:
- Pillow Top/Euro Top/ Summit Top
- Plush
- Firm
- Extra
|
Few furniture purchases have an impact on the quality of your life than mattresses
do. A mattress can be a signficiant investment that has a noticable effect
on how you feel each day, so it pays to do your homework. With a dizzying
array of choices it's hard to know where to start. This guide will explain
the options so you will know what to look for when you are shopping.
You don't think twice about test driving a car, so you shouldn't think twice
about "sleep testing" a mattress. Don't be embarrassed! (Okay, ladies wear
comfortable pants instead of skirts while shopping.) Lie down on the mattress
for several minutes and assess how well it provides support and how comfortable
it is. Lie in the position you normally sleep in. If you share a bed, both
of you should lie down together. The only way to tell if a mattress is right
for you is to lie down on it!
Is soft good for your back?
As with most things whatever is most comfortable for you is what's best, as
long as the substructure provides enough support. If you like soft mattresses
then get one that has good support under plush padding. Sleeping, or rather
being unable to sleep, on too hard a mattress will do more harm than good.
Keep in mind that if you are moving from a firm mattress to a softer mattress,
or visa versa, your body will take some time to adjust to the new surface.It
helps to know that when you have a firm mattress you are sleeping "on" it;
with a soft mattress you are sleeping "in" it as the padding will gently cradle
your body.
Anatomy of a mattress
Mattresses now come in several different varieties. What's underneath is relevant
to how comfortable a mattress is and how long it will last.
Conventional Inner Spring: How many springs and what gauge of wire?
The number of coils in a mattress ranges from 300-800. Normally heavier gauge
coils will provide firmer support with fewer coils. The thickest gauge normally
available is 12.5 while the thinner gauges are in the 14-15.5 range. When
you have thinner coils it is important to have more coils in the mattress
since the coils give so easily. To get the best quality choose a name brand
mattress from a reputable store and rely on the in-store sleep specialists.
Edge Support: The edge of the mattress can be one of the
fist places where it will show wear since it receives the most concentrated
compression as you get into and out of bed. There are several types of edge
support that are used to reinforce and support mattresses over its lifetime.
The first is a foam perimeter which encircles the mattress body with three
to four inches of high density foam. Some manufacturers space their coils
closer together at the edge for added support. Spacer clips are another option,
and are used on the perimeter of traditional inner spring mattresses to keep
the coils from collapsing over time.
Convoluted Foam: Convoluted foam often overlays
springs in an innerspring mattress. It resembles the bottom of an egg crate
with peaks and valleys between two and three inches tall. This layer of foam
is good for relieving muscle tension as the peaks and valleys have a gentle
massaging effect.
Specialty bedding
"Specialty bedding" simply refers to a bedding type other than the
conventional steel inner-spring mattress. Below we've defined several variations
of specialty bedding for you.
Enclosed Coil: Enclosed coils are wire springs that
are individually wrapped in fabric and sewn to adjoining coils. This means
that when you roll over there is very little transfer of movement or bouncing.
Visco-Elastic Memory Foam: Originally developed
by NASA to compensate for the G forces astronauts endure during takeoff, visco-elastic
foam is a very popular choice for mattresses. Memory foam conforms to your
body in response to body heat but returns to its original shape as you move.
This property helps to reduce the pressure points on the body as you sleep,
which makes it the favorite of many. Memory foam mattresses can be used with
a simple mattress cover, or they may incorporate additional layers of fiber
and other support materials. Some retailers even offer the combination of
memory foam and enclosed coils in the same mattress.
Latex: Latex mattresses resist compression, leading
to longer mattress life spans. They provide strong support for your back helping
to maintain alignment and reduce pressure points. Latex mattresses can be
used with a simple mattress cover, or they may incorporate additional layers
with different configurations of latex foam or fiber and other support materials.
When combined with a fiber-fill pillow top, latex mattresses can provide luxuriously
soft comfort and firm support.
Air and Water Chamber Beds: These are different
from most mattresses because rather than using coils or springs they use pockets
of air or water that can be inflated or deflated at will. This allows for
two people to have different mattress firmness in one bed. The air or water
chambers are surrounded by high density foam for support and structural integrity.
Zoned Mattresses: Zoned mattresses vary the kind
of support they provide from the head of the bed to the foot of the bed. The
variations can be made with different coil counts, foam structures, or combinations
of support materials. The result is that different parts of your body get
the appropriate support. There can be anywhere from three to seven different
zones in a zoned mattress.
Adjustable Beds: The term adjustable bed refers
to a mattress over a foundation that incorporates motors that allow the user
to raise and lower the foot and head of the bed. Adjustable beds offer benefits
to people with certain medical conditions, like sleep apnea or acid reflux
disease, but they are also useful for those who like to watch TV or read in
bed. King size adjustable beds usually consist of two twin units side-by-side
and require separate fitted sheets. Adjustable beds can often be used with
traditional headboards and footboards to better integrate them with traditional
decors.
To top it off
Several terms are used to categorize a mattress' support. The precise terms
may vary slightly from manufacturer to manufacturer, but here is a brief list
of the terms and their general definitions.
Extra Firm: A mattress with a very firm feel and
strong support with little comfort padding.
Firm: A mattress with a firm feel and strong support
with a small amount of comfort padding.
Plush: A mattress with a softer feel and some comfort
padding over a base with strong support.
Pillow Top: A mattress with a cushion of additional
material attached to the mattress top. This material may be fiber, foam, latex,
visco memory foam or an additional layer of coils. This means that rather
than flipping your mattress periodically, it is rotated. Pillow top mattresses
can be further categorized by construction techniques and how the top is attached
to the mattress.
Euro Top: Euro top mattresses use a box cushion
construction and have less separation between the top and the mattress.
Summit Top: Summit top mattresses employ a gusseted,
knife edge construction and are attached with a more distinctive separation
between the top and the mattress.
Contour Top: Similar to the summit top, contour tops employ
a gusseted, knife edge construction and are attached with a distinct separation
between the top and the mattress. What differentiates a contour top is the
use of a zoned fill (foam of different densities for specific areas of the
body) in the mattress top.
Other considerations
Low Profile Foundations: Many manufacturers today sell low profile foundations;
these have come into existence to help with the increasing height of many
mattresses. It allows the bed to have a good foundation while being closer
to the floor. If you are using an existing bed frame with head and foot boards
you should measure to see how much space you have available for your new mattress
and foundation.
Split Foundations: A split foundation consists of two separate box springs
that are designed to be used in pairs under one mattress. Split foundations
are common with king-size mattresses, but they are available for queen sizes
as well. A split foundation is particularly useful for older homes or smaller
spaces where a traditional foundation cannot be easily maneuvered through
a doorway, hallway or stairwell.
Deep Pocket Linens: Today many new mattresses are thicker with more cushioning
and support than older models. This means you may need to purchase deep pocket
linens when you buy a new mattress. Be sure to measure your new mattress before
you buy new sheets: deep pocket sheets can range from 16 to 30 inches deep.
**Tip: It’s important to buy a new foundation when
buying a new mattress. If you don’t then the wear and tear on the
new mattress will be higher because the old foundation won’t be a
match with your new mattress.
Mattress Pads: Mattress pads not only add an extra layer of softness, they
protect the mattress from stains as well as regular wear and tear. Keep in
mind that if a mattress becomes stained or soiled, it voids the warranty since
health regulations prevent it from being serviced. Regular washing of the
mattress pads can also help reduce the buildup of dust mites, which many people
are allergic to.
After your purchase: As with most purchases there are steps you can take to
help increase the lifespan of your mattress. These include: avoiding moisture
or extreme temperature variation (both of which can damage a mattress), using
a proper foundation, preventing contaminates from soaking into the mattress,
avoiding bending the mattress when moving it, and keeping kids from jumping
on it. Some retailers offer warranty programs, like Protection First, to help
ensure the long life of your investment.
Interesting Fact: According to a recent study at Wesleyan University, the
scent of lavender can actually help you sleep better. The lavender increased
slow-wave sleep, which is the stage where the heartbeat slows and muscles
relax, and it may also be a factor in memory consolidation. Subjects that
participated in this study also said they felt more energized the next day.
Suggested use: Put a few drops on a tissue and put it under your pillow at
bedtime.