subject: Mattress Differences And Styles [print this page] It was in the New Stone Age Era when mattresses are believed to have gotten their start. In the following decades and centuries, they've evolved from cloth bags of sand to stuffed bags placed on hay. In the 1600's, the Roman mattress (covered bag filled with straw) was still prevalent however, by the mid 1700's the fabric cover of the mattress was made with better quality cotton or linen. It was then when mattresses began to take shape of the ones we use today.
Innerspring mattresses didn't become popular until nearly 100 years after the Industrial Revolution brought forth the steel coil spring. Today, innerspring mattresses are still the most common choice among consumers. However, users report less satisfaction with innerspring mattresses than all other types. Foam mattresses that conform to your body and air mattresses that can offer different levels of firmness have seen a rise in their popularity.
For starters, when talking about mattresses - not all foam is the same. Some of today's higher quality foam mattresses are made of either memory foam or latex foam. Polyurethane and other chemicals make memory foam denser. Temperature and weight are two factors that contribute to memory foam sensitivity. Latex foam can be natural or man made. Natural latex is extracted from rubber trees where as synthetic is made by polymerizing a monomer that has been emulsified with surfactants. Both types latex have the same basic properties. A nice balance between softness and support and good motion separation are good benefits of latex mattresses.
Memory foam and latex foam mattresses are fairly comparable in comfort level, pain relief, and durability. However, memory foam mattresses are slightly more affordable than latex models. Latex mattresses also beat memory foam mattresses in terms of off-gassing. Off-gassing refers to a chemical odor that a new mattress gives off for a short period of time. Certain memory foam brands are less likely to off-gas than others.
Airbeds (another type of mattress) use air for primary support as opposed to innersprings or foam. The firmness level of the mattress is controlled by removing or adding air. Some mattresses offer dual air chambers so that sleeping partners can adjust their comfort levels individually. Air mattresses also vary in complexity, from a simple airbed (also called "air bed") to more intricate models. The more intricately constructed air mattresses contain various layers including a cover and foam pad for comfort: the air chamber for main support, supporting foam for support around the edge of the mattress, and a foundation for additional comfort and support.
As with any type of mattress, airbeds have advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include durability, little to no motion transfer, and adjustable firmness. Some disadvantages include an uncomfortable trench in the middle of airbeds with dual chambers, noisy air pumps, and in general, the price.
The mattress has come a long way from its humble beginnings and is still advancing with technology. Today, mattress shopping doesn't just mean choosing between firm, plush, or pillowtop....it also includes choosing between spring, foam, or air.
