| In order to understand what makes a mattress | | | | over a saggy old one will break down sooner. A good |
| comfortable, you first need to know how it's made | | | | box spring has a coil system surrounded by a frame |
| and why. In general, every brand or type of bed you | | | | of wood. Usually it is stiffer at the edges with more |
| will see in your life will have the same goal, which is | | | | give in the middle for comfort. |
| comfort. And to be able to choose the best one for | | | | Finally, the mattress itself whether it is filled with |
| you, understanding just what it is you want out of a | | | | steel coils, air, tempur memory foam or water, the |
| mattress is crucial. | | | | support system is the means by the spine is the |
| Mattress Frame | | | | correct position. The most conventional means of |
| Let's start with the basics. An important part of any | | | | support is considered to be the inner spring, which is |
| mattress is its frame. If a frame is on casters, those | | | | a series of coils or springs that gives slightly under |
| should be about two inches wide and have a high | | | | weight. The are designed to only give to prevent |
| weight bearing rating. A good quality frame will be | | | | you from sinking too much. |
| made of strong metal, wood, or a combination of the | | | | Memory Foam |
| two. Some frames are adjustable and can grow from | | | | Memory foam or tempur foam mattresses use a |
| a twin to a full, or a queen to a king. | | | | man-made foam that responds to weight and |
| Most of the time twin and full frames have four rails | | | | temperature for support. It is designed to be harder |
| to support the bedding. Sometimes wooden slats run | | | | in the places that the body touches the least and |
| between the rails for stronger support. Queen and | | | | softer under heavy pressure points. Aerobed and |
| king size frames should have a center support to | | | | waterbed mattresses use the same idea by filling a |
| hold the larger mattress set without it sagging in the | | | | balloon-like sack with air or water to counter the |
| middle. | | | | pressure from above. |
| There are some bed frames that have decorative | | | | Mattress Padding |
| wooden rails along the sides. Unfortunately, those | | | | The uppermost layer is the padding placed on top of |
| wooden rails are for appearances only and do not | | | | the support system. Whether it is wool, cotton or |
| affect the strength of the frame, no matter what | | | | foam, the amount of padding determines the |
| the salesman says. | | | | comfort level. A firm mattress has the least padding. |
| Mattress Box Spring | | | | A plush mattress has a thicker layer. And a pillow top |
| Another important part is the box spring. Most | | | | mattress has the thickest layer of all. |
| bedding manufacturers recommend buying a new | | | | Conclusion |
| box spring that coordinates with the mattress you | | | | Knowing what makes up a comfortable mattress will |
| choose. Since they are designed together, it would | | | | help you make a better choice. Just keep in mind |
| only be logical to assume that the pair works best | | | | that there are several choices for support system as |
| when purchased together, they say. | | | | shown previously and choose the one that offers |
| An old set of springs is likely to have sagged some | | | | you the best support for your money. |
| over the years. It makes sense that a new layer | | | | |