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You have likely seen the ads claiming that your mattress makes a significant difference in your quality and quantity of sleep. These ads proclaim the truth, as your mattress positively does influence what kind of sleep you get. However, there is not one magic mattress that will give everybody a good night's sleep. The key is finding the right mattress for you.
With the many mattress choices out there, it can be confusing to what is best for you. Knowing precisely what's available can help you to decide what kind of mattress to purchase. Whether you like to sink into your mattress or lie firmly on the surface, there are many mattresses to meet your wants and needs. Here are some of the most common ones found at almost any mattress store you might visit.
The traditional innerspring mattress that everyone is familiar with was first introduced in the 19th century, and it remains one of the most popular types. An innerspring mattress may or may not have a pillow top, which is the difference between a firm and a soft one. A complete mattress is simply composed of the box spring base, the springs, the fabric, and padding. Its gauge and number of coils measure the quality of an innerspring mattress. A higher number means better quality.
The waterbed mattresses that are popular today were introduced in the 1960s. Water is held in the vinyl mattress and surrounded by a hard or a soft frame. The top of the mattress is padded with material such as foam. The water can be "free flow," meaning nothing interrupts the flow of water inside the mattress or "wave less," where water flow is limited and creates less movement.
Foam mattresses are composed of one or more types of foam. These include latex foam, memory foam, and polyurethane foam. Foam mattresses vary widely on different comfort, shape, and heat dissipation features. The category of foam mattresses is a broad one, so people often can find a foam mattress that suits them well.
A hybrid mattress is a blend of an innerspring mattress and a foam mattress. It contains a traditional coil support system for the base with one or more types of foam, gel, or other materials as the top layer. Hybrid mattresses can be firm or soft, depending on the type, density, and amount of material used.
Gel mattresses are constructed with foam that has gel in the mattress's support system or upholstery layers. Some gel mattresses have gel in both areas. Like foam mattresses, gel mattresses vary widely in comfort and features.
While memory foam is technically under the category of foam mattresses, it has, in a sense, become its own category. These mattresses were introduced in the 1990s based on original NASA concepts. Memory foam is a unique material that forms the sleeper's shape, eliminating pressure points that cause issues such as joint pain, mainly in the hips and shoulders.
The surface of the mattress could be anywhere between 2 to 8 inches thick. The thickness of the surface and the density of the foam determine how soft the mattress feels. Memory foam mattresses have very high satisfaction rates and have become extremely popular.
One of the newest types of bed that can be found is the adjustable foundation bed. Separate sections of these mattresses can bend, elevate, and lower into different positions according to your own comfort. This is usually done by electrical controls, though some are adjusted manually. Large beds can be adjusted differently on each side so that two people can adjust their side of the bed according to their own preference. The mattress can also be laid perfectly flat.