The first question we need to answer is – What is memory foam mattress? It is a cutting edge, engineered form of visco-elastic PU foam. Authentic memory foam mattresses made from visco-elastic are made with millions and millions of open cells that are sphere shaped. The special design of these cells makes them responsive to both body pressure points and temperature. A mattress made from visco-elastic is thus able to contour itself to match to the shape of your body, giving the most amount of support where it is needed. Along with the support it offers, a memory mattress differs from standard mattress foams in that the open cell design allows air to pass through the material freely, which helps keep the mattress and the person using it cool and prevents excessive sweating.
Memory mattresses made with visco-elastic material have been very popular for a long time now across Europe and have been used by health authorities and institutes and in hospitals because of the way they support patients body’s more effectively and thus prevent pressure points from occurring that often happens when patients have spent a long time in bed.
It has only been in recent years that the consumer market for visco-elastic foam mattresses has increased with customers taking note of the benefits that these mattresses have over standard spring based structures. As consumer demand for this type of mattress has increased, so too is the number of different foam mattresses increased. The problem is that there is a wide variation in terms of quality, which means that customers have to take into consideration many vital factors before they can make the right decision as to which mattress is best for them.
What You Should Look For When You Are Purchasing A Foam Mattress
When you are looking to purchase a high quality foam mattress there are some important factors and considerations that you should take into account. The three most important ratings and measurements that you should take note of when understanding the specification of memory mattresses are the Firmness Rating, ILD Rating and Density. These three different criteria will determine the experience you have with a mattress and how well it will actually perform its job.
Let’s take a closer look at the basic factors
The Size of The Mattress
As you may or may not know, it is a matter of fact that the majority of people spend around a 3rd of their life lying in bed. Interesting research has shown that a large percentage of people are spending more money on sofas than beds and mattresses. This is different in Europe, were the most important purchase a person can make is considered to be their mattress. It makes sense that because we spend a long time on our beds and mattresses that whatever we decide to buy is just right. After all, who does not want a restful, comfortable night’s sleep which is directly connected to having a healthy mind and body?
With the above taken into consideration it is important that you purchase a mattress as big as you can with regards to the size of your bedroom, bed and budget.
The Suitability Of Your Current Bed For A Memory Foam Mattress
Most mattresses can be used on most bedsteads and bases, but some will help it perform better and feel more comfortable than others. For instance, if you have a bedstead or bed with a slatted wooden base, the recommendation is that the slats are not more than 2 to 3 inches apart. The majority of foam mattresses on the market today are also suitable for box or divan sprung type of bed, but you have to keep in mind that the mattress does not need any extra support from the base. This means that just a stable and solid platform is the best foundation for the mattress.
Why There Is Confusion When Comparing Different Mattresses By Model And Manufacturer
It is generally thought that it is in the retailer’s best interest to make it as hard as possible for you, the customer, to compare effectively different memory foam mattresses by their value for money and actual specification. One way to make a reasonable comparison is to compare another brand’s products with Tempur’s own products, as they were the company who first introduced foam mattresses and are still a leader in that sector of the market.
Why The Depth Of A Mattress Is Important
Although the depth is important, the most important aspect of a memory foam mattress in terms of depth is how deep the actual foam layer is as this will determine how well it relieves pressure points, supports your body and provides you with a comfortable sleep.
Understanding The Density Of Memory Foam
The rating of density of a foam mattress refers to the top layer of visco-elastic memory beds density, not the full mattress. The supporting base of any mattress that is truly memory foam uses impact resistant or high resilience polyurethane foam. It is important that you never mistake this for what is known as visco-elastic memory foam. The most important part and most costly to manufacture of any foam mattress, which makes it the vital component is the top visco-elastic foam layer.