A Buyer's Guide to Mattress Types
So you’re shopping for a new mattress? With the market awash with different brands, models, materials and prices ranges, its difficult to know where to start. We know that a mattress is a big investment and an important one as a great night's sleep is vital to a healthy and productive life. That’s why we’ve put together this easy to understand guide to choosing the right mattresses for you and your family.
Pocket Sprung
What is a Pocket Sprung mattress?
Each spring is individually wrapped in it’s own material pocket.
Why choose a Pocket Sprung mattress?
Unlike the open coil mattresses, each spring works independently of the others, only reacting to the pressure that is directly applied to the particular spring, giving greater comfort and support. This also avoids the “roll together” effect when sharing a mattress with a partner.
Coil Sprung
What is a Coil Sprung mattress?
The main body of the mattress is made from row of coils which are connected by a thin wire above and below. .
Why choose a Coil Sprung mattress?
This makes the manufacturing costs lower than pocket sprung mattresses and therefore a more economical option for the buyer. These mattress offer excellent support and this way of manufacturing beds has been used since the 19th Century and remains as popular as ever.
Memory Foam
What is a Memory Foam mattress?
This is a revolutionary material developed by NASA engineers which reacts to body heat to mould to the body's natural shape.
Why choose a Memory Foam mattress?
Memory Foam moulds to the contours of your body, thus providing ultimate support for your body during sleep. As your body heats the foam it will soften and you will sink into the mattress ever so slightly. The heavier parts of you body will sink further which means pressue won't build on your joints making for an exceptionally comfortable night's sleep.
Reflex Foam
What is a reflex foam mattress?
Reflex foam, or polyurethane foam, is one of the most commonly used materials in mattress manufacture. It is similar to memory foam in certain ways but is firmer and has a denser structure which makes it perfect base for any foam mattresses.
Why choose a reflex foam mattress?
Reflex foam is less expensive to manufacture than memory foam and yet has similar benefits:
- Support: reflex foam is denser and more supportive than memory foam
- Pressure relief: it eliminates all pressure points and ensure your spine is correctly aligned when you sleep
- Hypo allergenic/ dust mite resistant: its dense structure prevents allergens and dustmite getting into the mattress
Latex
What is a Latex Foam mattress?
Latex is a relatively new mattress material introduced as an alternative to memory foam as it moulds to your bodys shape but without needing heat to do so. It can be natural or synthetic but both are hypo-allergenic and offer a fantastic sleeping experience.
Why Choose a Latex mattress?
Latex reacts faster than memory foam to changes in body position, meaning that you are supported better as you move in the night. It has been noted that some forms of memory foam can retain body heat to a greater extent than traditional mattresses, where as latex doesn't. So if you overheat easily, especially at night, then latex is a great alternative to memory foam.
It’s worth noting that many manufactures offer mattresses with a combination of these materials, meaning that you can choose a mattress with the perfect qualities to give you restful sleep every night.
Pocket Sprung & Memory Foam
What is a Pocket Sprung and Memory mattress?
These mattress will have a base of pocket springs and then a layer of up to 100mm of memory foam. The two work together, the pocket springs providing the support and the memory foam an extra layer of comfort.
Why choose a Pocket Sprung & Memory mattress?
Pocket sprung and memory foam mattresses are perfect if you are looking for a mattress that provides excellent support but also gives greater comfort than you can expect from a mattress that just has pocket springs. While they are comfortable on their own the memory foam gives a level of comfort that can't be achieved by the springs on their own.
Open Coil & Memory Foam
What is an open coil and memory foam mattress?
An open coil and memory foam mattress combines an open coil spring unit with a top layer of memory foam, allowing you to experience the pressure relieving benefits of a memory foam mattress as well as the support and traditional feel of a coil sprung mattress.
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Why choose an open coil and memory foam mattress?
Open coil and memory foam mattresses are supportive due to the open coil spring unit and yetfantasticallycomfortable due to the layer of memory foam on top. If you want like to experience the wonders of memory foam while retaining the support of a traditional mattress, this type of mattress might be just right for you.
Pocket Sprung & Latex
What is a pocket sprung and latex mattress?
These mattresses will have a base of pocket springs and then a layer of latex foam; natural, synthetic or a combination of both. The two technologies work together, the pocket springs providing the support and the latex foam an extra layer of comfort and pressure relief.
Why choose a pocket sprung and latex mattress?
Pocket sprung and latex mattresses offer a more supportive alternative to “all foam” latex mattresses without losing any of the comfort and pressure relieving support. Please note that the depth of latex will vary and the deeper the latex the more you appreciate its benefits.
Open Coil & Latex
What is an open coil and latex mattress?
An open coil and latex mattress consists of a traditional coil sprung systemwith alayer of latex foam which can be natural, synthetic or a combination of both. The two technologies work together; the coil spring unit providing the support and the latex foam an extra layer of comfort and pressure relief.
Why choose an open coil and latex mattress?
Latex mattresses with an open coil base are perfect for you if you like the feel of a traditionally sprung mattress but don’t like being able to feel the springs, simply want to enjoy the benefits of latex, or suffer from back pain.
Zipped Covers
What is a Zipped Cover?
Zipped covers offer additional protection for mattresses and pillows against dust mites, pollen or bed bugs.
Why choose a mattress with a Zipped Cover?
Encasing pillows and mattresses in zipped covers are recommended for people sensitive to allergens in order to provide a healthier and safer sleeping environment.
Cot/ Nursery
What is a Cot and Nursery mattress?
A Cot mattress is generally constructed from foam and with chemical-free materials such as lamb’s wool, pure latex, natural bamboo and coir to provide a healthy and safe environment to the baby. Just like a traditional mattress, a cot and nursery mattress can combine layers of memory foam, latex or many variations of sprung systems to offer comfort and support.
A Cot mattress comes in two basic sizes to fit the equivalent sizes of cot available on the market : standard (56x118cm) or continental (60x120cm).
Why choose a Cot and Nursery mattress?
Mattresses for babys and kids are specifically designed to suit their needs and usually conform to all UK safety regulations, fire regulations and phosphorous free guidelines. It is recommended that you purchase a new cot mattress for each new baby and that you do not hand down cot mattresses from child to child. Doing so has been linked to increased risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
