| Over the years, advances in manufacturing and | | | | advantage to using these high pressure materials is |
| construction have moved the design aspects of the | | | | that during the curing and molding stage between |
| more traditional and simple platform beds and | | | | 1200 to 2000 psi is applied to these materials making |
| mattresses into the modern age. In this article we'll | | | | them very dense and highly durable. If constructed |
| explore some of these advances and how they | | | | correctly these materials offer a greater lifespan to |
| translate into the furniture and beds we use today. | | | | the furniture and actually make it 2 to 3 times more |
| Space Age Mattress MaterialsSuch advances include | | | | heavy than standard wood or tubular furniture. This |
| applying high pressure veneers and laminates to | | | | durable type of construction will ensure that these |
| materials to introduce new colors and construction | | | | platform beds will stand up to the rigors of daily use |
| that could never before be achieved. The introducing | | | | and at the same time introduce design elements that |
| of space age materials into mattresses much like the | | | | could never have been used before in furniture. |
| ones introduced by the company Tempur-Pedic®. | | | | Modern Cold Rolled Steel Platform Bed Materials |
| The materials used in these mattresses was the | | | | Platform beds made from steel/metal have also seen |
| same material developed by NASA during the space | | | | advances in the modern era. Manufacturer Amisco |
| race which came out of the 1960's. The material | | | | Industries makes use of cold rolled steel in it's |
| developed consisted of cells which created pressure | | | | products. As the name suggests, this steel is |
| relieving properties to help protect astronauts against | | | | processed while cold. Its manufactured from |
| the tremendous forces during take off. This same | | | | chemically cleaned hot rolled coils. The coils at first |
| material was put into a home application in the form | | | | are cold but get hotter as the steel work hardens. |
| of mattresses which made use of the Tempur® | | | | This cold rolling brings down the thickness of the |
| material. With this evolution in mattress design | | | | steel and at the same time the mechanical properties |
| Tempur-Pedic® established a market to | | | | of the steel change. Oxygen is not allowed to react |
| customers who sought out the pressure relieving | | | | with the steel nor is water which could rust the steel |
| qualities of these mattresses. | | | | at this stage. The steel coils are heated in a |
| Latex Mattress Materials | | | | controlled atmosphere to ensure the steel will be able |
| Another interesting recent development in | | | | to be formed. Coatings of either galvanized zinc or |
| mattresses is the use of latex. Latex is actually a sap | | | | zinc-aluminum alloy are applied which can them allow |
| that is harvested from rubber trees. Cuts are made | | | | the steel to be used in a wide range of applications. |
| in the trees to allow the sap to be collected. Natural | | | | One of these applications is in the construction of |
| latex tends to be quite soft and manageable and is a | | | | steel platform beds like those offered by Amisco |
| perfect addition to mattress construction. There are | | | | Industries. This type of material used in the |
| many man made and natural types of Latex in the | | | | construction of a product that will be used every day |
| manufacturing community. One such manufacturer by | | | | by consumers is an important step in offering |
| the name of Dormia® supply in their mattresses | | | | platform beds that will not only make new designs |
| latex made using the Talalay process which freezes | | | | possible but add strength and durability to these fine |
| the latex particles preventing them from settling | | | | products. |
| which ensures that there is cell structure that is | | | | Conclussion |
| consistent. CO2 is introduced to gel the latex which is | | | | Much of what this article has covered has been in the |
| then cured, baked then washed. Latex with its soft | | | | materials themselves that have brought about |
| nature lends itself to be a perfect compliment to the | | | | advancements in how we sleep and use our platform |
| construction of mattresses much like the ones | | | | beds and mattresses. The Tempur-Pedic® space |
| offered by Dormia® which are both supportive | | | | age mattresses. Dormia® and their Talalay Latex |
| with the high density nature of latex but cushion and | | | | mattresses. High pressure laminate and veneer made |
| support the user as well. | | | | platform beds. As well as Amisco Industries cold |
| High Pressure Platform Bed Materials | | | | rolled steel platform beds. Products like these |
| Platform beds have also seen advances in | | | | continue to move us forward and perhaps provide us |
| construction and design. Many of todays platform | | | | an glimpse into what we have to look forward to in |
| beds are constructed from both real wood products | | | | modern furniture designs. |
| and high pressure wood laminates and veneers. The | | | | |