Beds and Mattresses

There are essentially two main mattress constructions – those with springs and those without springs.

Mattresses with springs – Innerspring Mattresses
Innerspring mattresses are the most popular and familiar type of mattress today. The coils and wires called the innerspring unit provide support while, the upholstery or comfort layers made up of foam, padding and fibres provide cushioning. There are two types of innerspring mattresses:

Open Spring
This is the most common type of spring system used in mattresses, particularly in the lower to middle price ranges. The unit is made up of traditional coil springs. The spring coils are all wired together so that they all move when pressure is applied.

Pocket Spring
These are used in higher quality mattresses. Each spring is ‘cocooned” in its own pocket of material and packed closely together a bit like a honeycomb. The springs work independently of each other to reduce the ‘roll together’ effect and give maximum support to your body shape. The higher the number of springs the greater support.

Mattresses without springs
Full latex, foam and visco elastic memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their comfort and overall body support. Latex is a natural body-conforming material often used to increase softness and relieve pressure points while visco elastic memory foam is a synthetic material that responds to body temperature and weight which has evolved out of recent space technology.

Latex Mattresses
Latex is a natural, biodegradable foam derived from rubber trees. Latex foam contours to the body’s curves, and moves with the sleeper as they move, providing continuous orthopedic support. Body weight is spread over the entire sleeping surface, minimizing “pressure points” and creating a more comfortable sleep.
Latex foam has an “open cell” structure that enables the mattress to “breath”. This allows the release of body heat and moisture keeping the sleeping surface comfortable.

A latex mattress may be a good option for allergy sufferers because they’re less likely to harbour mould and dust mites.

Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattresses
Visco Elastic or Memory Foam was developed by NASA about 30 years ago. It is made from polyurethane, but has a different cell structure to other foams, which makes it less ‘springy’ and slower to recover — it ‘remembers’ your shape even after you’ve moved.

Memory foam reacts to body temperature and weight, conforming and moulding the mattress to the shape of the body. Body weight is spread over the entire sleeping surface, minimizing “pressure points at the shoulders, hips and feet.

Like latex foam, memory foam is highly resistant to bacteria, mould, mildew and mites and may be a good option for allergy sufferers.