When considering the purchase of a new mattress, many consumers wonder about
some of the newer options that are available. Though for years the industry standard was the traditional innerspring
mattress, a memory
foam mattress or an adjustable air bed mattress is now a possibility for
most purchasers.As adjustable air beds
can be costly, a desirable option can be memory foam.It is helpful in this consideration to be
familiar of the properties of a memory foam mattress to help decide which is
right for an individual’s bed needs.The
most typical properties used as factors in determining which mattress will be
right for a person’s needs are comfort and durability.As mattresses are manufactured to be thicker
than they once were, height is also an important consideration.
The comfort of a mattress is often directly related to its firmness.As memory foam is denser than other foam, it
can be heavier than other options, but this density can provide a great deal of
support.In memory foam
mattresses, many prefer a softer, less dense upper layer, with firmer, more
dense layers lower in the bed to provide the comfort of a soft mattress with
the solid support of a firm one.Though
the density of a mattress is determined in pounds per cubic foot, the firmness
is measured with a system called “indentation force deflection” or IFD.This term refers to the pounds of force
necessary to compress the foam.Some do
not like this rating system, as some high IFD foams that are made of materials
with a lower density can still feel soft. Because of this, memory foam mattresses will often be classified by
density, with densities around five pounds per cubic foot being considered the
most firm mattresses typically available.
Another important factor is durability. Higher density mattresses will have a slightly longer lifetime than
mattresses of lower densities, but this difference is small in comparison to
the importance of comfort for the individual sleeper.The thickness of the layers of the foam can
also play a role in this durability, as thinner layers will have fewer cells to
hold up the compression ratings of regular use. This directly leads to the importance of height in a mattress.Different products use different thicknesses
in the layers of foam in a mattress.The
bottom-most levels are the most rigid, to provide support for the softer layers
on top.Ideally, the layer of
compressible foam should be more than two inches, but less than six.Six inches of foam would allow the sleeper to
sink uncomfortably far into the mattress, while less than two will not be
noticeable.Of course, no matter the
thickness of the foam layer, the memory foam mattress will have more height than this to account for the base layers in the product,
so speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson or doing independent research on
individual products will be helpful in determining which is right for the
individual sleeper.
Whatever type of mattress a buyer ultimately chooses, knowing more about the
properties of the options available can be helpful in making these decisions.
Two of the most important considerations when
researching the purchase of amemory
foam mattress are the product’s comfort and durability.As with all mattress types, a wide range of
options exist in levels of firmness as well as longevity.In making decisions related to the purchase
of a new bed, it is helpful to understand what makes memory foam a popular
option among purchasers.
The base of most memory foam is polyurethane, to
which other chemicals are added to create different characteristics, such as
firmness, and the rate at which the material rebounds to its original
shape.The unique qualities of the
materials used in production of this visco-elastic foam creates a structure
that, when compressed, responds to body temperature and molds around the
sleeper to reduce pressure points. This pressure reduction is often a part of
what leads some users of traditional innerspring mattresses to switch to memory
foam.
In foam
mattresses, there are a wide variety of options in the density
of the billions of tiny cells used to create the material.One of the greatest indicators of comfort
and durability is this density.The
density of memory foam mattresses is determined in pounds per cubic foot and
can be a useful way to help gauge the characteristics of the product.Many range from four to five pounds per cubic
foot, but there are options in the two to four pound range as well as products
over five pounds.The heavier density
mattresses are created with more ingredients, meaning that there will be a
higher number of significantly smaller cells making up the foam. The lighter density products use fewer
materials, resulting in fewer and larger cells in the finished bed.
Both ends of this spectrum offer benefits to
sleepers.The higher density beds are
firmer, and because of the increased number of cells, tend to be more durable
than their lower density counterparts.Many
people who prefer to sleep on their backs tend to go with a firmer
mattress.The higher density beds will
range between four and five pounds per cubic foot, and have long been
considered the industry standard because of the aforementioned durability.In recent years, the technology that goes
into making visco-elastic foam has improved such that good longevity can also
be found in some of the lower density foam products available.The lower density beds offer a softer feel
that many consumers prefer.The softer
materials allow hips and shoulders to sink further into thebeds, allowing for a great deal of comfort
for those who primarily sleep on their sides. Typically, the lowest density mattresses will
range between two and three pounds per cubic foot, while the medium range is
from three to four pounds.
So when looking online or in Los Angeles mattress stores for a new bed, it helps to keep in mind that the density of the materials can
help in determining the proper choice for any sleeper.
Sometimes a mattress will begin to get worn out but still has a bit of life left in the old thing yet. Sometimes, a fluffy pillow top mattress is too expensive for the budget. Sometimes, a person just needs a little extra soft support on the bed.
Memory foam mattress toppers are an affordable way to add support and softness to any mattress. They are widely available in many stores, by many manufacturers, in a range of prices and a range of features. Most people prefer to get the thickest memory foam topper available. Toppers with quilted cotton layers on top are great, as they offer the support of memory foam with the softness of a quilted pillow top topper. Foam mattress toppers are more affordable than replacing foam mattresses, and offer an inexpensive way for people who prefer traditional inner spring mattresses to enjoy the benefits that visco-elastic foam offers.
Memory foam mattress toppers are not just for beds. Adding one to an old worn out futon mattress adds support and comfort for both sitting and sleeping. With the futon open, lay the topper on top of the futon cushion, then cover both in a zippered futon cover. The zippered cover holds everything together, and protects both the topper and the cushion. A topper with two to three inches of foam should be ample cushioning, while still allowing the futon to function normally.
A similar method can be used to bulk up broken down couch cushions. Many large couches and sofas feature sitting space that is equal to, or very close to, the same measurements of twin mattresses. Putting a one or two inch topper under the couch seat cushions adds new life to an old sofa. If the couch is covered with a sofa slipcover, the topper can be put on top of the cushions, then the entire thing can be covered with the slipcover for maximum benefit.
The cushions on fold out sofa beds are notoriously miserable to sleep on. While many sofa beds cannot handle the added padding of a thick mattress topper, a topper that measures in between 2 and 4 total inches will often fit. Remember, memory foam compresses, making it easier to fold up into the sofa. A small purchase can go a long way toward making guests feel much more comfortable.
Good furniture is expensive, and can be a hassle to purchase and have delivered. Padded toppers usually don't do much to help breathe life into worn out furniture. But memory foam toppers offer an affordable solution to making old furniture significantly more comfortable.
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