Shopping for a mattress can seem confusing.
The Sleep Train Beducation Center addresses this confusion by educating shoppers on common questions about mattress construction and mattress terminology. Now you can shop with confidence.
HINT: Keep in mind the most accurate way to find a mattress that is right for you is to lie on it.
what's in a mattress?
Despite their simple exterior appearance, mattress sets are highly engineered sleep systems constructed of different components such as springs, foam and air. Regardless of how the mattress is constructed, every mattress requires a foundation or box spring to properly support the mattress, and ensure the life and comfort of the mattress. Together a mattress and its foundation comprise a sleep set.
innerspring mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are composed of precisely configured tempered steel (coil springs) and many different qualities of foam (padding), which work together to support weight, limit stress to pressure points such as hips and shoulders, and comfortably suspend a sleeper's body throughout the night.
Innerspring mattresses have a variety of different configurations including individual coils that are placed together, individual coils that are placed in fabric pockets, or one continuous wire that forms an entire row of coils. An important variable to these three types of innerspring construction is the gauge of steel. The coil count combined with the gauge of steel and border support system is critical in the creation of a quality mattress set.
This indicates the number of coils used in an innerspring mattress. A high coil count does not necessarily translate into a better quality mattress. Instead, the design of a coil, the gauge of the wire used, and the way the coil is engineered are equally significant indicators of the comfort, support and durability the mattress will provide.
The gauge of coil is the thickness of the wire used in a mattress and/or foundation coils. A lower gauge denotes a heavier/thicker wire, which may mean more support.
Mattresses with edge support offer edge-to-edge comfort across the mattress, ensuring the mattress retains its shape and provides long lasting comfort. Edge support also reduces the chance of mattress-edge sink (typically caused by sitting on the edge of the mattress) over a period of time. Edge support is provided using several methods, such as foam encasement for the innerspring unit, additional coils near the edge of the mattress, or a tied coil construction.
foam mattresses
Foam mattresses are designed specifically for pressure management. When you lie on a foam mattress, the foam immediately distributes your body weight properly across the entire sleeping surface to reduce uncomfortable pressure points.
Foam sleep sets are constructed using multiple layers of foam. Some foam has an open cell structure, while others have closed cell foams. Open cell foams have absorbing properties as well as cushioning characteristics. These foams will help to cradle the body. Closed cell structured foams have a lower absorption rate, but offer higher levels of support.
Memory Foams are denser than other foams and can be more supportive than other types of mattresses. These types of mattresses are comprised of temperature sensitive foams which mold to the body quickly and help to limit motion transfer.
Latex Foams have a different cell structure than memory foams, which make them more breathable and naturally hypo-allergenic. Latex is also an eco-friendly, biodegradable product, made from the rubber tree. Latex easily forms to the contours of the body, but is not prone to lasting body impressions.
air mattresses
One of the newest and fastest growing categories of mattresses is air-chamber technology. Becoming popular during the past 10 to 15 years, air mattresses offer superior comfort and personalized body support. Air mattress adjust to the body, providing proper support of your back and spine to reduce uncomfortable pressure points. Many air beds also allow each person to adjust the firmness on their side of the mattress set to meet individual comfort levels.