Mattresses
Accessories
BedsImportant Properties of Memory Foam Mattresses
Posted by Nicole on Thursday, 13 May 2010
Tags: Memory foam mattress, mattresses, memory foam density
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.