| A good night's sleep owes much to the mattress. | | | | often called "innersprings" are made up of steel coils. |
| This flat pad or mat is usually placed on the floor or | | | | The foundation can be of box springs, wood or a |
| on top of a bed (or metal spring foundation). | | | | combination of wood and steel. Box springs have a |
| Historically, a variety of natural materials were used | | | | rigid frame with extra-heavy springs (soft and could |
| as filling (straw or feathers) for the mattress. But | | | | sag). Sometimes manufacturers put high-density block |
| today, mattresses usually have an innerspring core or | | | | foam under the coils for a firmer foundation. Wood |
| synthetic materials like latex, viscoelastic or | | | | foundations are firm and called zero deflection units in |
| polyurethane. They can also be filled with air or | | | | the industry since these consist of seven or eight |
| water. | | | | support slats that offer firmness and stability. The |
| It is recommended that you replace your mattress | | | | upholstery layer is also known as the comfort layer |
| after every 10 to 13 years. Spring bases require | | | | as it provides cushioning and comfort. |
| replacement every 12 to 13 years, while slat bases | | | | Air beds or air mattresses use air chambers instead |
| require replacement every once every ten years. For | | | | of springs for support. Price ranges vary from very |
| hygienic purposes, however, it is wise to replace any | | | | affordable to high-end. Some air beds can even |
| mattress once every 10 years, regardless of what | | | | adjust the firmness of the mattress. Mattresses |
| base type it is. Peaks, dips, or lumps in your mattress | | | | made of latex (natural rubber) are very expensive |
| from day-to-day use might also warrant mattress | | | | and also need an expensive flexible-slat base. But a |
| replacement if you frequently wake up feeling stiff | | | | pure latex mattress can be expected to last 20 to |
| or have regular backaches. As you grow older your | | | | 25 years. A latex mattress may be a good option for |
| body changes and with that your needs. An older | | | | allergy sufferers because they're less likely to harbor |
| body will better appreciate a softer, but still firm, | | | | mould and dust mites. The mattress doesn't wobble |
| mattress to protect the pressure points. Mattresses | | | | (reducing partner disturbance) as well. A latex overlay |
| that are too soft will also create difficulties for older | | | | with a firm spring mattress is a good, economical |
| persons when getting out of bed. | | | | option. |
| When shopping for a mattress, it is important to go | | | | But the buzzword in mattresses today is memory |
| for superior quality. Be clear whether you want a | | | | foam mattress or viscoelastic. Viscoelastic foam was |
| soft, medium or hard mattress. Get the bed size | | | | developed by NASA almost 30 years ago, but it is |
| correct and make sure any mattress you buy has at | | | | just beginning to work its way into the mattress |
| least a 10-year warranty. A soft mattress will allow | | | | market today. Made from polyurethane it is less |
| your body to sink in and it has less dense inner foam | | | | 'springy' and slower to recover, hence called 'memory |
| core with more fill around the foam core. A medium | | | | foam,' as it 'remembers' your shape for a while after |
| mattress will allow your body to sink in but also offer | | | | you've moved. So a viscoelastic mattress (that has a |
| a good amount of support. It will have more dense | | | | layer of viscoelastic attached to another material, |
| foam core and less fill around the foam. On the other | | | | usually polyurethane foam) or viscoelastic overlays |
| hand, a firm mattress will allow for complete body | | | | (to put on your present mattress) often make for a |
| support with very little fill between the foam core | | | | very comfortable bed with minimum partner |
| and the mattress cover. | | | | disturbance. Some, however, feel it's like 'sleeping on |
| A common innerspring mattress consists of three | | | | wet or hard sand'. But viscoelastic mattresses are |
| components: the spring core, the foundation and the | | | | often used in some hospitals and nursing homes to |
| upholstery layers. The core of the mattress supports | | | | help prevent pressure ulcers caused by lying in the |
| the sleeper's body. Modern spring mattress cores, | | | | same position for a long time. |