Mattresses

Sleep Disorders

Bedding has changed significantly from the days of feather pallets covered in burlap. Today’s bedding is so technologically advanced as to sometimes be referred to as sleep systems. Still, beds and bedding are generally comprised of the same elements regardless of how advanced these elements tend to be. These components require the use of some sort of mattress, a frame to support it, and sheets and pillowcases to cover it.

The word mattress, as can be assumed, was originally derived from the word mat. The use of mats or pallets for sleeping has been a standard of sleep technology since the beginning of time and still exists in some cultures. Mats were originally thin pads that could be placed anywhere on the floor or ground to make sleeping arrangements more comfortable. These pads could be easily rolled up for storage or transport from one location to another. As societies became more stable, mats, or mattresses, subsequently became larger and significantly more comfortable. They also frequently took up permanent residence on some sort of frame or platform as they became a permanent and stationary piece of furniture in most households.

Mattresses, regardless of the kind, are always composed of three components, the core, the foundation, and the exterior material. Originally, the core of the mattress consisted of natural materials such as straw, feathers, and sometimes even paper or rice. The majority of modern mattresses have what is called an inner spring core. These coiled steel springs support the sleeper by resisting the person’s weight. There are several aspects of coil springs that are used to make a mattress more comfortable and longer lasting. Conversely, this technology also allows for mattresses to be produced and sold for less depending on the use of certain materials. The comfort and durability of innerspring mattresses are affected by the number of coils a mattress contains in addition to the gauge, thickness or strength, of the coils that are used.

Mattress Cores

There are four separate types of coils that are used to produce mattresses; Bonnell, Marshall, offset, and continuous. Bonnell coil springs are the most common kind and least expensive kind of spring in use for mattress production and also the oldest type of coil. Bonnell coil springs were originally used in the buggy seats of the 1800’s and are hourglass shaped in that they are wider at the top and bottom and thinner in the middle. Bonnell coils are tied or bracketed together to retain the shape of the mattress.

Marshall coils are sometimes referred to as pocketed coils. These coil springs are not tied together but instead the fabric case in which each coil is wrapped maintains the shape of the mattress. These tempered steel coils are sometimes compressed by the manufacturer resulting in a firmer mattress which also allows for less distribution of motion from one side of the bed to the other.

Offset coils are more expensive than Bonnell or Marshall coil springs but they are designed to hinge for more support and comfort in a mattress. Offset coils conform better to body shape than Bonnell or Marshall coils. Continuous coils are thought to provide the maximum coil strength by working together and gathering strength off of the next coil. Continuous coils work similar to offset coils in that they conform and distribute body weight efficiently and limit the transfer of motion; two qualities that are highly prized in today’s modern mattress.

Other mattress cores include air, foam, and water. Air mattresses range from the easily inflatable camping or temporary bed to the advanced pocketed and adjustable air mattress that is designed as a high-end luxury product. The priced of the luxury air mattress is comparable to a quality inner spring mattress but makers boast that enhanced technology makes these mattresses far more comfortable and just as durable. The primary draw of these air-chamber sleep systems is two-fold; first, that the technology allows for individuals on each side of the bed to adjust the settings of the mattress to their own firmness preference and second, that the mattress prevents the transfer of motion due to the use of two separate pocketed mattress divisions.

Until recently, foam mattresses were limited to the use of latex foam for production. The latest in mattress foam technology was introduced with the advent of what is referred to as memory foam. This dense, viscoelastic material was originally developed to reduce the pressure that astronauts felt during shuttle mission take-offs. Today, these mattresses provide long lasting, motion resistant, hypo-allergenic, and completely supportive sleep comfort.

Water mattresses have evolved from their sloshy origins to self supporting mattresses that some people swear are the most comfortable sleep systems available. Because water at room temperature tends to be cooler than normal body temperature, water mattresses must be heated to be comfortable. It is this heating ability that draws many users to the waterbed as they are able to raise or lower the temperature of the bed according to their own comfort level. Water mattresses were once one large water-filled bubble. These days water mattresses contain pockets similar to the more advanced air mattresses that support the mattress and the sleeper.

Mattress Foundations

Perhaps the most commonly used mattress foundation is the box spring. Just as the name implies, box springs are a wooden “box” that houses heavy-duty springs that is placed under the mattress to provide support. Slat foundations are simple boards that are placed horizontally under the mattress for support on a frame. Grid foundations are manufactured from a combination of wood and steel.

Mattress Exterior Layers

Almost all mattresses have quilted exteriors. This quilted exterior is usually made of the most comfortable materials and cover several layers of padding that are intended to insulate the coils provide maximum sleeping comfort. Even modern water and air mattresses sometimes contain these layers. The mattress exterior is often a combination of layers of foam, cotton padding, and fabrics. Some modern mattresses add the luxury of a feather or down mattress “topper” for additional comfort. These tops are either built into a no-flip mattress or can be purchased separately.

The Do-Not-Remove Tag

All mattresses and pillows come adorned with the anxiety producing do-not-remove-under-penalty-of-law tag. This innocuous piece of reinforced paper strikes fear into the hearts of millions of consumers who would love to cut the annoying tag off of their product. Well, consumers unite! Go right on ahead and rip off that tag! There are no pillow police or mattress monitors that will show up at your door, cuffs in hand, ready to cart you off to the tag remover reformatory. The tag was intended to provide important consumer information regarding the compliance of the construction materials with federal use and flammability regulations, the content of the product, as well as to give consumers product care instructions and wearability info. If the tag is removed by the seller, it is certainly a violation of federal law. However, the consumer is welcome to remove the tag at will.