Archive for the ‘Mattress’ Category:
Choosing The Right Mattress
A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed on top of a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.
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.
There are several types of mattress which are exist in the market nowadays :
Coil/spring Mattresses:
Coil mattresses rely on steel coils that are tempered to give them additional strength and durability. The coils can be placed in a variety of different configurations to provide additional support to specific areas of the bed. A new coil spring beds is firm and is best at providing support for those who sleep on their back. In addition to being one of the more inexpensive mattress options on the market, coil springs are also easy to maintain. Regularly flipping the mattress helps prevent sagging, and ensures that you will get the most life out of your purchase. However, coil mattresses have a shorter lifespan than some of the other options out there. They can begin to sag within a year and wear out within 5 to 7 years. If those using the bed sleep on their sides, the mattress exerts greater pressure on the shoulders and hips causing spinal misalignment, which can lead to back and neck pain.
Visco Elastic/Memory Foam Mattresses:
Originally developed by NASA to make the pressure of space shuttle lift-offs more bearable, the foam has seen drastic reductions in price in recent years and is now a popular mattress material. The material gets its name from its ability to conform to the shape of an object and retain that shape for a period of time. While visco-elastic beds are typically more expensive than their coil counterparts, the quality can vary widely and is one of the main contributors to its price. Good quality memory foam means a firm bed that will evenly distribute your weight regardless of how you sleep. Some memory foams also respond to heat by becoming even more soft. Memory foam has lifespans between 10 and 20 years depending on quality. For those who have never owned a visco-elastic foam bed before there is typically a period of getting used to the “weightless” feeling the bed induces. New memory foam mattress owners may also notice a strong odor. While the odor does fade with time, it can continue to cause irritation, so be on the lookout for complaints from those sleeping on the bed. Also, memory foam by nature retains heat which some users find uncomfortable.
Waterbed Mattresses
Although waterbeds were first conceived in the late 1800s the modern bed that we’re familiar with was developed in 1968. Waterbeds were initially popular for their ability to be heated (which was popular in colder climates) and for their ability to relieve pressure from the spine as the water in the bed conformed to the shape of the person using it. However, this same “free flow” design that relieves spinal pressure also results in waves being created each time weight is shifted on the bed. These waves can be distracting and can interrupt sleep. Waterbeds are difficult to move and are also prone to leaks, but last longer than most coil mattresses and are dust mite free.
Air Chamber Mattresses
Air mattresses come in a variety of designs and levels of quality. However, the driving principle of an air mattress is (as the name implies) that you inflate the mattress with an air pump to a level you find comfortable. Whether you’re using a simple, single chamber mattress or a more advanced multi-chambered bed, you’re able to control how firm the bed is by how much air you pump into the bed. The air in air mattresses behaves much in the same was as the water in waterbeds. The air in the mattress conforms to the shape of the body and helps to reduce the amount of pressure put on the spine. While air mattresses have a typical lifespan of 10+ years, there are more parts that can wear out and caues the mattress to loose its ability to provide adequate support and comfort.
Intelli-Gel Mattresses
Another recently developed technology that is being adapted to a number of products – everything from shoe insoles to backpack straps to hunting equipment to mattresses. Intelligel is different from other bedding materials because it works on a column buckling principle. Most other mattresses provide support by pushing against those protruding areas of the body. Intelli-Gel is different. Columns of elastic gel are placed next to each other across the mattress surface. The columns are designed to stand until a certain amount of weight is placed on them. When the columns’ weight limit is reached the columns buckle, and becomes soft, while columns around the area remain firm and supportive. The result ends up being a bedding surface that is firm, supportive and comfortable. Also, because the Intelligel is broken into columns it doesn’t retain heat like memory foam. Intelligel is used as the main material in some mattresses and is combined with coils, memory foam, and air chambers in others.
A couple other things to consider when looking at the different mattress options that are available is the mattress’s warranty and whether the mattress comes with a foundation. As mentioned above, a mattress’s warranty does not guarantee its useful life, but it does protect against manufacturing defects. Typical warranties run between 10 and 15 years and may last upwards of 20 years. Be sure to read what the warranty does and doesn’t cover as it may save you time, money and headaches in the future. The foundation of your bed is an important part of how well you sleep each night. Chances are that if your mattress needs a replacement, your foundation does too. Some manufacturers will include a new foundation with the purchase of a mattress. If they don’t be sure to ask the manufacturer which foundation will work best with your mattress as foundations and mattresses are commonly paired to provide you with the best sleeping experience possible.
Dispose of your old mattress. If you’ve determined you need a new mattress because you are no longer receiving the support you need, then the last thing you should be doing is passing that discomfort on to someone else. Rather than selling your mattress or passing it on to a family member or friend, check to see if the purchase of your new bed includes some sort of disposal for your old mattress. Frequently, the folks who deliver your new mattress will be able to take away your old bed. If you’re embarrassed by the condition of an old, worn out mattress, you can use an old bed sheet as an inexpensive solution. Simply cover the old mattress with the old bed sheet, send it off and enjoy your new bed!
Determine what new accessories you’ll need for your new bed. To further improve the support you get while you sleep you may also want to consider a new pillow. Like mattresses, pillows are also made in a variety of materials. Besides traditional feather and down, pillows now also incorporate combinations of latex rubber, memory foam, air chambers, Intelli-gel and more. Finding a pillow to compliment the comfort your new bed provides will help turn your night’s sleep from good to great. Also, depending on the size mattress you purchased you purchased you may need new bedding. While a mattress’s size is fairly standard in terms of its length and width, there are a variety of mattress depths being used to incorporate some of the new materials we’ve discussed. By sure to check the depth of your new bed to determine whether you’ll need deep pocket sheets or larger blankets.