Mattresses Information and more

Many things can affect your decision on the mattress you will choose. You will first need to know that you are going to need a mattress that matches the size of your current mattress. Unless you are going to get a new Mattress, Box Spring, and Frame. If you have an adjustable bed that can fit many mattress sizes then consider your size and the size of anyone else whom you may sleeping with. Twin Mattresses are the smallest, followed by, full mattresses, queen mattresses, and finally the large king size mattress.

The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.

Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed atop a platform (such as a bed or a metal spring foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an innerspring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water, or a variety of natural fibers, such as in futons.

Many parameters determine mattress quality. Laboratory test methods have been established for some of these parameters, such as pressure distribution, skin microclimate, hygiene, edge support, and long-term stability. Many of these have been developed by Dr. Duncan Bain, working on behalf of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Other parameters, such as firmness, are more specific to the sleeper. In general, firm mattresses are recommended for stomach and some back sleepers, soft mattresses are recommended for side sleepers, and medium mattresses are recommended for the majority of back sleepers. Some brands offer mattresses with one softer side and one firmer side, or with adjustable firmness levels, to accommodate sleepers who share a bed.

Foundation

There are three main types of foundations
Box-springs consist of a rigid frame which contains extra-heavy-duty springs. This type of foundation contributes to softer support and a bouncier mattress. Because box-springs can cause mattresses to sag, many manufacturers add high-density block foam underneath the coils or provide a rigid foundation instead.

Traditional wood foundations are usually made of soft woods, such as pine, or hard woods, such as poplar. They usually consist of seven or eight support slats covered with cardboard or beaverboard. This type of foundation, called a zero deflection unit or an "Ortho Box" in the bed industry, increases the feeling of firmness and stability.

Grid foundations are a combination of steel and wood.

The mattress dimensions are as follows:

• Twin (38"x75")
• Twin Extra Long (38"x80")
• Full (54"x75")
• Queen (60"x80")
• King (76"x80")
• California King (72"x84")

Sealy SpringFree Latex Mattress

Latex Comfort Materials

• Provides consistent, long-lasting comfort
• Resists compression and wear over time

Solid Latex Core

• Provides instant support response
• Promotes healthier sleep environment
• Synthetic latex is antimicrobial and dust-mite-resistant

Spring mattress core
The core of the mattress supports the sleeper’s body. Modern spring mattress cores, often called "innersprings," are made up of steel coil springs, or "coils."

The gauge of the coils is another factor which determines firmness and support. Coils are measured in quarter increments. The lower the number, the thicker the spring. In general, higher-quality mattress coils have a 14-gauge (1.63 mm) diameter. Coils of 14 to 15.5-gauge (1.63 to 1.37 mm) give more easily under pressure, while a 12.5-gauge (1.94 mm) coil, the thickest typically available, feels quite firm.

Connections between the coils help the mattress retain its shape. Most coils are connected by interconnecting wires; pocketed coils are not connected, but the pockets preserve the mattress shape.

There are four different types of mattress coils:
Bonnell coils are the oldest and most common. First adapted from buggy seat springs of the 19th century, they are still prevalent in less expensive mattresses. Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped, and the ends of the wire are knotted or wrapped around the top and bottom circular portion of the coil and self-tied.

Marshall coils, also called "pocketed coils," are each wrapped in a fabric encasement and usually are tempered, or in the case of the Simmons Beautyrest carbon magnesium is added. Some manufacturers pre-compress these coils, which makes the mattress firmer and allows for motion separation between the sides of the bed.

Offset coils are designed to hinge, thus conforming to body shape. They are very sturdy, stable innersprings that provide great support.

Continuous coils Or Mira-coils, Work by a hinging effect, similar to that of offset coils. In a basic sense a continuous coil is simply that, one continuous coil in and up and down fashion forming one row (usually from head to toe) of what appear to be individual coils. The advantages of how firm a support the continuous coil provides it is somewhat tempered with the 'noise' associated from a typical mira coil unit.

SpringFree Comfort System

• Created from a unique combination of different densities of latex foam
• Includes a soft, stretch-knit cover

• Features patented modules that flex against pressure
• Absorbs the shock of weight and motion

All models feature an 8.9" Luxury Latex Core. Thickness of Quilt and Topper varies by model, providing each with a distinct comfort feel. See below for details and test rest a SpringFree at your local retailer to select the right model for you.

Sealy TrueForm® Visco Mattress

Conforming Memory Foam

• Multiple layers of comfortable, cradling of memory foam
• Responds to your body's weight and temperature
• Reduces pressure points and minimizes motion transfer

• Engineered high-density core
• No other memory foam mattress offers better pressure relief
• Evenly distributes weight across the mattress surface
• Provides the orthopedically correct support you expect from Sealy Posturepedic

• Manages body heat to keep you comfortable – not too hot, not too cold
• NASA certified space technology

• Rigid foundation maximizes memory foam’s benefits
• Includes an all-steel construction and multiple support trusses to enhance performance and durability

The TrueForm mattress is now available in a broader range of comfort levels – from firm to plush and more – so you can find the style and price that fit your needs.

Select models are compatible with the Sealy PowerBase. Great for reading or watching television in bed, the Sealy PowerBase has an attractive, conventional bed appearance, programmable positions and two massage units.

20-year Limited Warranty Made to last! Guarantees durability and longevity of your mattress. Sealy Posturepedic delivers high standards for quality materials and workmanship.

Other Mattress Types

Air mattresses
Air mattresses use one or more air chambers instead of springs to provide support. Quality and price can range from inexpensive ones used occasionally for camping, all the way up to high-end luxury beds. Air mattresses designed for typical bedroom use cost about the same as inner-spring mattresses with comparable features.

Several companies currently produce adjustable firmness air mattresses. In 1981, Comfortaire began manufacturing and marketing air mattresses that looked conventional but allowed users to adjust the firmness. Select Comfort patented a variant and began marketing them in 1987.

Adjustable air mattresses come in a variety of models from basic, no-frills ones that measure about 7" in height, to high-profile, 15" tall hybrids that contain several types of foam, pillow tops, and digital pumps with memory, for individual pressure settings.

Air bladder construction varies from a simple polyethylene bag to internally baffled, multiple chambers of latex (vulcanized rubber) with bonded cotton exteriors. Mattresses have a layer of foam above the air chambers for added cushioning. The air chambers, top and sidewall foam all sit inside a removable two piece cover that looks like the outside of a standard innerspring mattress. These high-end luxury Air Beds are also known as soft sided Air Beds. Medical versions of these adjustable firmness mattresses have even greater control mechanisms which include features like frequently changing pressure to prevent bed sores.

Foam mattresses
Foam mattresses use shape-conforming latex or viscoelastic memory foam rather than springs to provide support. Mattresses manufactured using memory foam or latex are generally hypoallergenic.[citation needed] Since foam varies in quality, prices can vary widely. Most name brand mattress manufacturers offer a line of memory foam mattresses.

Other interesting facts

Upholstery layers
Upholstery layers cover the mattress and provide cushioning and comfort. Some manufacturers call the mattress core the "support layer" and the upholstery layer the "comfort layer." The upholstery layer consists of three parts: the insulator, the middle upholstery, and the quilt.

The insulator separates the mattress core from the middle upholstery. It is usually made of fiber or mesh and is intended to keep the middle upholstery in place.

The middle upholstery comprises all the material between the insulator and the quilt. It is usually made from materials which are intended to provide comfort to the sleeper, including regular foam, viscoelastic foam, felt, polyester fibers, cotton fibers, convoluted (“egg-crate”) foam, and non-woven fiber pads.

The quilt is the top layer of the mattress. Made of light foam or fibers stitched to the underside of the ticking, it provides a soft surface texture to the mattress and can be found in varying degrees of firmness. The protective fabric cover which encases the mattress is called ticking. It is usually made to match the foundation and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. Most ticking is made of synthetic fibers like polyester, or acrylic; or of natural materials such as latex, cotton, silk, and wool.

Maintenance and care
A quality innerspring mattress should last between 10 and 15 years before it needs to be replaced. Memory foam and latex models should last between 15 and 20 years depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the bedding. This is an approximation, as many different things may factor into the lifespan one may expect to receive from their mattress.

Mattresses should be placed atop a firm base to prevent sagging. Mattresses should be rotated approximately once every three months to ensure even wear; in addition, two sided mattresses should be turned over (flipped) twice per year. Folding and bending of the mattress should be avoided if possible, as should heavy wear in one spot and excessive weight on the handles. Mattresses should not be soaked, lest mildew develop inside the upholstery; instead, they can be cleaned with a vacuum or with mild surface cleanser and a slightly damp cloth. Mattress Protectors help prevent stains and soiling of the ticking.

Once a mattress no longer feels supportive and instead seems to contribute to body pain or stiffness, it should be replaced. Some symptoms of a broken or worn out mattress include springs which can be felt poking through the upholstery layer, visible permanent sagging or deformity, lumpiness, and excessive squeaking.