What's Really Inside Of A Mattress?

What's Really Inside Of A Mattress?

Have you ever wondered what's inside of your mattress? You're not alone. 
Here are some of the most common materials found in mattresses

POLYURETHANE FOAM
​Polyurethane Foam: Also known as polyfoam, polyurethane foam is a synthetic material derived from polyol and isocyanate petrochemicals. Polyfoam comfort layers were used in some of the first mattresses produced – particularly innerspring mattresses. In recent years, latex has become a more popular comfort layer option resulting in less polyfoam mattresses. 

• ​Mattresses with polyfoam comfort layers may be for you if:
• You awaken easily due to noise or movement
• You prefer a mattress that does not conform to tightly your body
• You are shopping on a limited budget
• Mattresses with polyfoam comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You tend to get hot while you sleep
• You are experiencing aches and pains
• You are sensitive to off-gassing smells
• You are looking to purchase a mattress with a longer-than-average lifespan

MEMORY FOAM
Memory Foam: Also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam is a specialized polyfoam material developed by NASA engineers in the 1970s. Memory foam is designed to become softer when it comes into contact with body heat. This allows the material to conform to the sleeper's body closely, without sagging. When the sleeper gets up, the foam will return back to normal. One mis-concept of memory foam is that it is always soft. Memory foam is measured in density and can by super soft or even firm. Memory foam is considered one of the best comfort layer materials for sleepers with chronic aches and pains because it isolates motion transfer very well. A common disadvantage is off-gassing, as memory foam tends to emit more odor than other mattress materials and without cool gel technology it can get very warm.

• ​Mattresses with memory foam comfort layers may be for you if:
• You have serious or chronic aches and pains
• You want a mattress that conforms to your body
• You awaken easily due to movement or noise
• You are looking to spend around the average price point for a mattress
• Mattresses with memory foam comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You tend to get hot while you are sleeping
• You are sensitive to off-gassing odors
• You are looking to purchase a mattress with a longer-than-average lifespan

Memory Foam Fact: Memory Foam was developed by NASA in 1966 to improve the safety of aircraft cushions and was publicly released in the 1980s. 

LATEX
Latex: Latex is created from the sap of rubber trees. It has a wide range of uses due to its natural softness and durability. Natural latex is blended with synthetic chemicals. Mattresses with small amounts of synthetic latex are referred to as 'natural latex mattresses,' beds that do not contain any chemicals are 'organic mattresses'. Latex conforms your body alleviating pain and pressure points and most latex beds are virtually silent when bearing weight. Latex mattresses usually have a longer than normal life expectancy but can get hot if they lack added on cooling features.

• ​​Mattresses with latex comfort layers may be for you if:
• You are sensitive to smell 
• You wake up easily to noise or movement 
• You want a mattress that conforms to your body
• You are looking to purchase a mattress with a longer-than-average lifespan
• ​​Mattresses with latex comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You tend to get hot while you are sleeping
• You have a limited budget

MINICOILS + NANOCOILS
Minicoils + Nanocoils: Minicoils and nanocoils are 1-4 inches thick. They are used in beds with foam or latex support cores, but are mostly common in innersprings and hybrids. This combination of coils in innersprings and hybrids is known as coil-on-coil construction. Minicoils and nanocoils usually offer stronger than average support, good air circulation and they reduce motion transfer/ noise.

• ​Mattresses with minicoil + nanocoil comfort layers may be for you if:
• You have serious or chronic aches and pains
• You wake up easily to noise or movement 
• You tend to get hot while you are sleeping
• ​​Mattresses with minicoil + nanocoil comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You prefer mattresses that are not tall in height
• You prefer all foam cores

NATURAL FIBERS
Natural Fibers: Natural Fiber comfort layers have become popular in the last few years. Cotton, wool, hemp, horsehair and coconut coir are all natural fiber substitutes for latex and memory foam layers in mattresses.

• ​Mattresses with natural fiber comfort layers may be for you if:
• You are eco-friendly
• You tend to get hot when you are sleeping
• You are looking to purchase a mattress with a longer-than-average lifespan
• ​​Mattresses with natural fiber comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You are sensitive to smell
• You wake up easily to noise or movement 
• You have a limited budget

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BUCKLING-COLUMN GEL
Buckling-column Gel: This comfort layer was developed by brothers Tony and Terry Pearce in the 1990s. The Pearces went on to found Purple. Buckling-column gel is a dry-polymer substance that comes from mineral oil. It is then evenly distributed across a grid of rubber-like elastic polymer columns. The columns respond to compression by buckling. Mattresses with buckling-column gel are harder to find and mattress shoppers face a limited selection to choose from.​

• Mattresses with natural fiber comfort layers may be for you if:
• You have serious or chronic aches and pains
• You tend to get hot when you are sleeping
• You are looking to purchase a mattress with a longer-than-average lifespan
• ​​Mattresses with natural fiber comfort layers may not be for you if:
• You wake up easily to noise or movement - these mattresses can often make a crackling noise when buckling
• You have a limited budget