When you walk into a mattress or furniture store to look at a new bed, do you ever wonder what makes up a mattress? How do you choose a mattress based off what you're told by the salesman? There are three basic parts to a mattress, the core, the ticking and the topper, and then there is the base or what it sits on.
First part of the mattress is the core; this can be one of the five types of mattresses available. The core can be inner spring, foam, air, water or anything else you can imagine. There is a company that creates a series of suspension cords to create a sling effect; I saw this bed demonstrated at a trade show some years ago. Some manufacturers use a series of layers to create the core of a mattress, depending on the firmness and design of the mattress.
Second are what those in the mattress industry call the "ticking", which is basically the fabric and foam top that covers all the core materials. It originally was heavy weight cotton fabric, which created an encasement for the stuffing or 'guts' of the mattress. During the war, which one I'm not sure, my grandmother made a cotton mattress with blue and white striped ticking. I still have it today. It was hand crafted and is heavier than the mattress I have on my bed now, which is steel innerspring. The ticking of mattresses now can be cotton, poly-blend, velour, even wool or cashmere. It all depends on the rating of the mattress, as to what is put on the outside.
The third part of the mattress is the topper. This can be just a foam layer or several layers with the ticking cover, or more extensive. Some of the mattresses available now have layers and layers of different types of foam, batting and then of course the ticking. How to decide on these types of toppers depends on you the consumer. There are several types of toppers as well as layers inside. The is as follow, pillow top, super pillow top, plush pillow top, euro top and then the ever confusing euro box top. These are dependent on the depth of the foam and the shape it is in when attached. This is where the sheeting issue comes in.
Keeping mattress covers and sheets on some of these monsters is near impossible, if you don't know the depth of the mattress when you purchase the sheets. I have also heard from some, you should not purchase a pillow top mattress, because it's difficult to find sheets, hard to clean and you don't have the option to flip the mattress. Well here's the flip side. Say you buy a standard firm mattress and hate it. You end up buying a memory foam topper and a fancy mattress cover. Here's the problem with that, how do you keep the foam on the bed? I know this is a problem, I slept on an older mattress and to extend the life of the mattress I added a few toppers, and I do mean a few. The problem was keeping the topper, the cover and sheets on the bed, they slid off. So I purchased a gripping material to keep the things on the bed. In the end, I purchased a new mattress with the pillow top attached. The sheets haven't moved since.
Lastly, you come to the base of the mattress, the foundation or the box springs. When you go to purchase a new mattress you may find the price does not include the box springs or base, which may be separate. It depends on where you're going to put it. If you are placing the mattress on a wooden bed frame, with say storage under or simply a lifted base, you don't need the box springs. You may buy a bed system, which has a series of slats or wires which support the mattress, say in a trundle bed or the like, you would not need the box springs here either. There is also the ever popular adjustable bed, some with massage or heat included; these come with remotes as well.
The box spring if you have ever asked or looked at them are fairly basic for some mattresses, wood frame with stiff metal springs and a flimsy cover stapled onto them, or the more expensive with stainless steel springs and heavy metal wiring to support the heavy mattress on top. This again depends on the grade of mattress you purchase. I have to warn you, the box spring can be a factor, but the frame can either make or break the mattress. Some frames are flimsy, cheap or downright 'shin killers', you need to consider what the box spring will rest on and if it will last the duration of the mattress. I have to tell you most do not. This is why you can go to your local discount warehouse store and buy another one. So be diligent about picking your frame and box spring combination.
In conclusion, don't be afraid to ask what's inside of the mattress. If it's made of ten layers an inch thick, you might want to reconsider. It might be just pieced together, similar to particle board in construction. You definitely need to ask questions about what materials are used and what the warranty or guarantee is on the entire bedding system. Don't buy and get home with a saggy mattress only to become aware of the voided warranty or lack there of.
First part of the mattress is the core; this can be one of the five types of mattresses available. The core can be inner spring, foam, air, water or anything else you can imagine. There is a company that creates a series of suspension cords to create a sling effect; I saw this bed demonstrated at a trade show some years ago. Some manufacturers use a series of layers to create the core of a mattress, depending on the firmness and design of the mattress.
Second are what those in the mattress industry call the "ticking", which is basically the fabric and foam top that covers all the core materials. It originally was heavy weight cotton fabric, which created an encasement for the stuffing or 'guts' of the mattress. During the war, which one I'm not sure, my grandmother made a cotton mattress with blue and white striped ticking. I still have it today. It was hand crafted and is heavier than the mattress I have on my bed now, which is steel innerspring. The ticking of mattresses now can be cotton, poly-blend, velour, even wool or cashmere. It all depends on the rating of the mattress, as to what is put on the outside.
The third part of the mattress is the topper. This can be just a foam layer or several layers with the ticking cover, or more extensive. Some of the mattresses available now have layers and layers of different types of foam, batting and then of course the ticking. How to decide on these types of toppers depends on you the consumer. There are several types of toppers as well as layers inside. The is as follow, pillow top, super pillow top, plush pillow top, euro top and then the ever confusing euro box top. These are dependent on the depth of the foam and the shape it is in when attached. This is where the sheeting issue comes in.
Keeping mattress covers and sheets on some of these monsters is near impossible, if you don't know the depth of the mattress when you purchase the sheets. I have also heard from some, you should not purchase a pillow top mattress, because it's difficult to find sheets, hard to clean and you don't have the option to flip the mattress. Well here's the flip side. Say you buy a standard firm mattress and hate it. You end up buying a memory foam topper and a fancy mattress cover. Here's the problem with that, how do you keep the foam on the bed? I know this is a problem, I slept on an older mattress and to extend the life of the mattress I added a few toppers, and I do mean a few. The problem was keeping the topper, the cover and sheets on the bed, they slid off. So I purchased a gripping material to keep the things on the bed. In the end, I purchased a new mattress with the pillow top attached. The sheets haven't moved since.
Lastly, you come to the base of the mattress, the foundation or the box springs. When you go to purchase a new mattress you may find the price does not include the box springs or base, which may be separate. It depends on where you're going to put it. If you are placing the mattress on a wooden bed frame, with say storage under or simply a lifted base, you don't need the box springs. You may buy a bed system, which has a series of slats or wires which support the mattress, say in a trundle bed or the like, you would not need the box springs here either. There is also the ever popular adjustable bed, some with massage or heat included; these come with remotes as well.
The box spring if you have ever asked or looked at them are fairly basic for some mattresses, wood frame with stiff metal springs and a flimsy cover stapled onto them, or the more expensive with stainless steel springs and heavy metal wiring to support the heavy mattress on top. This again depends on the grade of mattress you purchase. I have to warn you, the box spring can be a factor, but the frame can either make or break the mattress. Some frames are flimsy, cheap or downright 'shin killers', you need to consider what the box spring will rest on and if it will last the duration of the mattress. I have to tell you most do not. This is why you can go to your local discount warehouse store and buy another one. So be diligent about picking your frame and box spring combination.
In conclusion, don't be afraid to ask what's inside of the mattress. If it's made of ten layers an inch thick, you might want to reconsider. It might be just pieced together, similar to particle board in construction. You definitely need to ask questions about what materials are used and what the warranty or guarantee is on the entire bedding system. Don't buy and get home with a saggy mattress only to become aware of the voided warranty or lack there of.
R.D. Jentsch, author of Hot on the Range & How to Sleep like King on a Pauper's Budget http://www.hotontherange.com
Want to know how to buy a luxury bed for a fraction of the price of retail, go here and find out... [http://www.kingonapaupersbudget.com]
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