Mattress Tips - Things You Should Know Before You Buy
We've compiled nine mattress essentials to help you make an informed decision.
- Proper support is critical. The right mattress should provide adequate support for all areas of your body, particularly your spine.
- Hardness doesn't necessarily equal support. A mattress doesn't have to be hard to be good for you. New advances in cushioning materials give today's mattresses a plush feel while still being supportive.
- The "thicker" trend continues. Today's top-quality mattresses are a great deal thicker than the ones available even five years ago. Those thicker mattresses often mean greater comfort.
- Size is important. Make sure you have enough room to stretch out. Whether the mattress is a twin or a king size, you'll want to avoid feeling cramped
- Make sure it's built to last. Your mattress should have a steel-constructed core. It should be built to withstand any mattress durability test. Make sure it is guaranteed to last for at least 10 years (that's the recommended time frame for buying a new mattress - once every 10 years).
- Cover yourself. Make sure your mattress is covered by a good warranty. But remember that warranties only cover flaws in construction and product defects, not normal wear and loss of support over time.
- Match your mattress and foundation carefully. Matching mattresses and foundations are engineered to work together. The proper foundation can help extend the life of your mattress.
- Bargain sleep sets are no bargain if they result in a poor night's sleep so don't just shop for the lowest price.
- A good foundation is the base of it all. A quality box spring is a good investment. The box spring acts as a shock absorber, helping relieve the mattress of stresses and last longer.
What to Look for in a Mattress
Ultimately, you're looking for a better night's sleep. Find the right mix of the total sleep benefit package to make a satisfying purchase decision. The total sleep benefit package consists of: 1. Support A mattress that is too soft will make the body feel as if it is sagging. The heavier parts of the body may sink in too much and set the spine out of alignment. If the spine does not have enough support, your muscles will be working throughout the night to try to maintain your spine's natural curved position. A mattress that is too firm will only support the heaviest portions of the body: the hips and shoulders. This can cause pressure points and reduced circulation. The lower back and other parts of the body will not have enough support and your muscles will be working overtime during the night to align your spine. 2. Comfort Comfort is not the same as support. Support comes from the inner structure of the mattress, while comfort comes from the firm or plush feel of the upholstery. If the inner support system of the mattress and foundation are the same in different sleep sets, the support is the same. However, the upholstery layers may be very different to account for different comfort preferences. 3. Durability 4. Freedom 5. Quality
The most important characteristic of a mattress set is its ability to provide proper support to the body. This support is provided by the innerspring or foam core structure of a mattress. Proper support ensures the body is positioned correctly for a restful sleep. The surface of the mattress should support the body evenly and help keep the spine properly aligned by conforming to the hips and shoulders while supporting the lower back.
Comfort or how a mattress feels, is a matter of personal preference. The layers of upholstery materials between the inner support system and the sleep surface determine the feel or comfort of a mattress. Different types, thicknesses and numbers of layers of upholstery materials create different feels.
The purchase of a sleep set is a sizeable investment, so durability is very important. The type of materials, design and quality of construction impact the lifespan of a mattress, but the key to durability is the foundation. A foundation helps absorb impact to the mattress. Mattresses and foundations are designed to be used together. A durable sleep set can provide many years of restful sleep.
People need room to relax and have freedom of movement in order to get a good night's sleep. If two adults sleep in a double-size bed, each person has only 26 1/2 inches of width, about as much as a baby's crib mattress! A queen-size bed provides 17 percent more sleep surface than a double-size bed. A king-size bed provides 34 percent more sleep surface than a double-size bed.
Price is always an important consideration, but quality and its relationship to a good night's sleep should also be considered. Keep your emphasis there, not price.