Mattresses
Accessories
BedsMemory Foam Mattress Density Matters
Posted by Nicole on Tuesday, 11 May 2010
Tags: Memory foam mattress, foam mattresses, Los Angeles mattress store
Two of the most important considerations when
researching the purchase of a memory
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 the beds, 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.