Some of the most popular types of mattress construction are:
While we have attempted to highlight differences in construction and features between these mattresses, nothing takes the place of visiting Topeka’s Mattress Headquarters to lie-down on these mattress surfaces and experience the differences firsthand.
Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses use coil springs for support. Over the coils, a variety of padding and upholstery provide the mattress a comfortable feel. Many of these mattresses also recommend using a foundation, like a box spring, to enhance support and elevate the mattress.
Coils:
Innerspring mattresses differ on a number of important factors, including the number of coils used in the mattress, the construction of the coils, and the shape of the coils.
Coil Count:
A typical mattress contains between 250 and 1,000 coil springs. However, coil count is not nearly as critical as the construction of the coils.
For example, a mattress with a lower coil count might use heavier gauge wire or other techniques to compensate for a lower number of coils. Wires with lower numbers (say 12.5 gauge wire) are heavier, thicker and stronger than higher numbers (say 16.5 gauge wire) that exhibit more “spring.”
Working Turns:
Another important factor is the number of "working turns" in each coil (e.g. 5 turns vs. 4 turns). This tells you how tightly the coil is wound.
Tempering:
Tempering refers to the process of heating and cooling coils so that they maintain their shape over time. Coils that are "double heat tempered" have gone through the process twice, increasing their durability.
Coil Design
There are three main coil designs typically found in mattresses: Hourglass, Pocketed and Continuous.
Hourglass Coils:
These coils come in two varieties — Bonnell and Offset
Based on 19th century seat buggy springs, the Bonnell coil has an hourglass shape with a knot at each end. The Offset design shares the hourglass shape, but the circles at the top and bottom of each coil are flattened to create a hinging action within the mattress. The Offset design is said to better conform to the body, reduce noise (compared to Bonnell coils) and allows the coils to be connected to each other.
Corkscrew-shaped wires that run over the tops and bottoms of the coils, called helicals, are often used to connect Offset coils. When these connected coils are compressed, this minimizes movement from side to side.
Pocketed or Marshall Coils:
Each of these coils is individually wrapped in a fabric pocket. Regardless of whether the pockets are connected or not, the springs move independent of one another. This is said to increase the motion separation of sleepers.
Continuous Coils:
Continuous coil springs are made by shaping a single length of wire into a series of S-shaped ringlets. Continuous coil designs also allow for significantly more coils per mattress, making it difficult to compare coil counts with non-continuous coil designs.
Padding and covers:
Inside the mattress, padding is added on top of the coils for insulation and cushioning. The method used to stitch the padding into place, known as "tufting," will affect the durability and price of the mattress. Hand-stitching is often preferred, but pricier.
“Cushioning” itself refers to the middle layer of padding. Mattresses with the identical innerspring construction may vary in durability, comfort and price due to the quality of the cushioning materials used.
Quilting is the top-most layer inside the mattress. In addition to providing additional padding, it enables the mattress to “breathe.”
For additional cushioning, some manufacturers feature “Pillow top” or “Euro-top” quilting. Both essentially refer to a soft, cushioned layer (of foam, cotton, wool or other fibers), attached to the top of the mattress. “Pillow-tops” are loosely attached and “Euro-tops” are attached more firmly.
However, pillow-tops and Euro-tops can compress over time and cannot be replaced. Such construction also eliminates the traditional “flip and rotate” maintenance common with traditional innerspring mattresses.
Ticking is the outside cover of fabric that encases and protects the mattress. Ticking is often made from synthetic fibers such as polyester or a cotton-poly blend, although some mattresses use silk or linen.
Foundations:
The majority of foundations sold today are box springs, torsion module foundations, or slatted bases.
A box spring is a wooden box with heavy coil springs that take some of the load off of your mattress. Torsion module foundations work similarly to box springs, but the coil springs are replaced by torsion bars (heavy wire bars typically bent at 90-degree angles).
A slatted base, also known as a built-up foundation, is made of wooden slats that span across the frame of the foundation unit. Slatted bases are firmer than box springs or torsion module foundations, and they can also be used for foam mattresses. It's important to make sure that the slats on your base are no further than 5cm apart from each other.
Some manufacturers now offer "low-profile" foundations as well. A low-profile foundation is an extra-thin foundation made to accompany an extra-thick mattress. This is so the total elevation of the bed will be similar to that of a traditional sleeping surface.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam, also known as visco-elastic foam, was originally developed by NASA for use on the chairs inside space capsules. Mattresses made of this material mold to your body and provide even support.
Because the foam is slow to regain its original shape, it earned the name “memory” foam.
Memory foam is made from polyurethane and is comprised of billions of little air-filled cells. Like a tiny balloon, each cell contains a small amount of air that decompresses under pressure, particularly when that pressure also includes some heat.
Mattresses made of memory foam often differ in terms of the density (1.5 pounds – 8 pounds or more), depth of memory foam used and firmness.
Generally, higher-density memory foam mattresses (5 pounds and higher) last longer, cost more, and may feel more firm.
Most of these mattresses also have a bottom layer (core) of regular polyurethane foam covered with a top layer of softer memory foam. So, in general, the thicker the layer of memory foam, the deeper your body sinks into the mattress.
Manufacturers combine layers of foam thickness and density to create various kinds of supportive feel.
While higher density foams are usually better, there are variables to consider. For example, when using a memory foam mattress overlay (or topper), you will need to take into account the thickness of the overlay. A two-inch overlay on a memory foam mattress with a density of five pounds might feel good, but using a three-inch overlay, a lower density memory foam mattress might work just as well.
By the way, ILD (Indent Load Deflection) is used to measure conventional foam, not visco-elastic or "memory foam". Do not be confused by sales people applying this measurement to memory foam. They are incorrect. Density is a more useful and relevant measurement.
The performance of memory foam mattresses can be affected by temperature. For example, some sleep warmer or hot because of the combination of room temperature, body heat and the synthetic materials used in making the mattress. However, some manufacturers have addressed this issue and now use breathable foams.
Memory foam mattresses exposed to cool or freezing climates will feel firmer and are slower to return to their original shape.
Toppers and Overlays
Memory Foam toppers or overlays can conveniently add memory foam benefits at a lower cost than purchasing a complete memory foam mattress.
However, keep in mind that toppers and overlays will imitate the surface on which they are placed. So, if you have a sagging mattress, a memory foam topper or overlay is not a permanent “fix” to the problem.
Latex Mattresses
Compared to memory foam, latex offers similar support and durability, but is less conforming and features a faster recovery time to its original shape.
Latex mattresses are also often said to provide a long lifespan (up to 20 years) and allergen resistance. However, some people claim latex mattresses have difficulty blending comfort and support. Critics also say latex gives off a rubbery smell.
These mattresses can be made from natural or synthetic latex, or a blend of both.
Some latex may also include "fillers." This refers to small particles of clay or other materials mixed into the foam. While this reduces the cost of the latex, it also makes it stiffer and less durable.
"Pure latex" refers to synthetic or natural latex that does not include fillers.
Latex mattresses are constructed with a series of layers that differ with firmness. Typically, latex mattresses also contain "pincore holes.” These are cylindrical holes spread throughout the mattress to help soften its feel. The larger the pincore holes, the softer the feel.
There are two different production processes used to make latex mattresses: Dunlop or Talalay. Talalay produced latex is generally softer and less dense, while Dunlop produced latex tends to be firmer and heavier.
