What To Look For In A New Mattress

Construction Basics

The foundation (box spring) significantly increases the life expectancy of the mattress. It is a common myth that box springs are not important in the purchase of bedding. It is true that a mattress on a new box spring will feel the same as a mattress on an old box spring. The problem with using an old box spring is that the mattress will last 1/3 as long as one on a new box spring. Most brand name mattresses these days will last 10 years on a new box spring while a mattress on an old box spring will only last 3 to 4 years. Look for mattresses with steel reinforced box springs, they will add to longevity. BUY THE WHOLE SET, MATTRESS AND BOX SPRING. Because it does not make financial sense to just purchase the box spring, all of our buying guide information is for entire sets.
The mattress core is the most important part of the mattress in the support of the body. While the box spring is supporting the mattress, the mattress is supporting you. The core of the mattress is made up of metal coils, also known as coils. There are three things you need to know about coils in mattresses.
1. The number of coils in a mattress should correspond to how much support a mattress gives you. For instance, a mattress with 300 coils will give you less support than a mattress with 700 coils. This is not to say that a mattress with 300 coils is a bad mattress - you may like the amount of support a certain 300 coil mattress provides. If you are looking for a very firm mattress you should look for one that has a high coil count. It should be noted here that this is a general rule and there are exceptions. Some of the most expensive and comfortable mattresses in the world have 412 coils.
2. The second area that you should look at with regard to the coils in a mattress is the gauge of the coils. The gauge equals the number of coils of this size it would take to make an inch. Heavy gauge (thick) coils will offer a great deal of support while light gauge coils will give you less support. There is nothing wrong with having heavy or light gauge coils in your mattress. The problem comes when someone tries to sell you a mattress with a low coil count and heavy gauge wire as a firm mattress. This mattress will become lumpy quickly because it does not have enough coils. Most brand name mattress companies stay within a reasonable range when making their mattresses.
3. The third area that you should consider when looking for a mattress is the connections between the coils. Most of the time the number and quality of these interconnecting wires is not published. If there are too few of these interconnecting wires a mattress can lose its shape more quickly than one that has an adequate amount. Mattresses that sag quickly usually have few interconnecting wires.
The upholstery on top of the mattress is most important for the basic comfort of the body. The upholstery choice is up to you! Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a feather bed while actually getting the real support your body needs?- look for a "pillow top". Do you want to feel like you are sleeping on a board?- look for the cover that has the thinnest upholstery they have. Neither one of these choices will lead to a poor night's sleep because the upholstery is simply there for the times you are awake while in bed. You will get the same support from a "pillow top" as you will with a "regular-top" on the same bed. The choice should be made by what feels the best to you when you try the mattress.
If you separate an innerspring mattress into all of its individual parts you would have a bunch of metal, fabric and a little plastic. In general, the most costly part is the fabric. It could be cotton, silk, wool, etc. but the price adds up. Pillow top mattresses are extremely popular and they have the most fabric/foam in them. The interesting thing is that the fabric is also the area that will show wear the soonest. It is much more likely that your pillow top will begin to sag before the metal springs underneath lose their rigidity. If you decide that a pillow top is for you make sure you rotate and flip(if it is flipable) regularly. This will delay the canoe effect.