8 tips for choosing a mattress for a bed
|Every day about 8 hours we spend in a dream. Not only the morning mood and performance, but also health depends on how well the sleeping place is arranged. Choose the right bed - this is only half the battle. It is also necessary to choose a suitable mattress, because in case of an error you will have pains in your muscles and back, insomnia and even allergies. Making the right purchase is not as easy as it may seem. Outwardly, all mattresses are very similar, but they can vary significantly by type of filler, the presence of springs and other parameters. Let's try to figure out how to choose a mattress for a bed, to ensure a healthy sleep and a comfortable stay.
No. 1. Mattress size
The simplest is choosing the right size. It is enough to measure the inner perimeter of the bed by removing the old mattress:
- mattress length, like beds, should be 10-15 cm higher than the height of the tallest of the sleeping. The standard length of modern mattresses is 190-200 cm, but sometimes more massive products are also found;
- mattress width, of course, should correspond to the width of the bed, but bear in mind that the width of the berth should be twice as large as the width of the shoulders of the sleeping person. The standard width of single mattresses is 80-90 cm, one and a half - 120-140 cm, double - 160-200 cm. Mattresses 200 cm wide are often called King Size;
- mattress thickness highly dependent on the presence of springs and the type of filler. The average indicator for springless products is 15-18 cm, for mattresses on springs - 18-24 cm. This value should be taken into account when calculating the total height of the berth - it should be easy to lie down on the bed and just as easy to get up;
- maximum load on the mattress indicated in the documentation accompanying the product. Typically, the manufacturer reports the load on one berth;
- if the measurements of the berth showed a non-circular result, for example, 159 cm, then you can round and take a mattress 160 cm wide. If the deviation from the standard is 2 cm or more, then the mattress will not fit in the space allocated for it or will hang in it. This is inconvenient, therefore will have to make a mattress to order. Many domestic factories are happy to provide such a service;
- for newborns produce special mattresses with a length of 100-120 cm and a width of not more than 60 cm. The design of such products provides reliable support to the spine of the child;
- for young children you can take the mattress in standard sizes, but when choosing it is worth paying attention to special models that are maximally adapted for the children's body. For teenagers the most resilient mattress is best suited.
The least problems arise when the bed and mattress of the same brand are bought at the same time.
No. 2. Mattress design: spring or springless
The key characteristic of any mattress is the presence or absence of a spring block in it. Looking ahead, we note that both options can be used for permanent recreation.
Mattresses on springs
Mattresses with a spring block are divided into two types:
- with dependent spring unit (Bonnel mattresses);
- with independent spring unit.
Dependent spring unit mattresses produced for more than 60 years.Their feature is that all the springs are interconnected. The springs are made of cold drawn steel wire; they can be in the shape of a cone or a cylinder. To their main the benefits include low price and high strength. Disadvantages the design has more. Since all the springs are connected, the pressure on some of them causes an instant "response" to others. This effect is especially noticeable in double mattresses, when the difference in the weight of sleeping people is more or less significant: one spouse will certainly slide into the middle of the bed. An inevitable similar effect will be even for a single mattress. It turns out that the human spine will adapt to the bends of the mattress, and not vice versa.
In addition, “bonnel” mattresses are eventually pressed in the middle part, and as a result, instead of a comfortable sleeping place, hammock. If you want to choose an orthopedic mattress for a healthy sleep, then a model with a dependent spring unit is clearly not suitable. This is an option for rare use, for example, for a country house.
Independent spring unit means that the individual springs are not only not interconnected, but also are in their own fabric cover. Isolated springs perfectly adapt to a sleeping person, and the presence of a cover allows you to talk about the absence of creaks. When one of the sleeping people wakes up or turns over, the mattress springs under the other sleeping person will remain motionless. Nobody will slide anywhere, nothing will sag over time.
This design allows you to provide excellent support for the spine and take its shape. The durability of such mattresses is high, as is the price. Orthopedic mattresses are equipped mainly with an independent spring unit.
Depending on the number of springs these types of mattresses are distinguished:
- S-500 assumes the presence of 220-300 springs per 1 sq.m. The diameter of the springs is 5-6 cm;
- S-1000 already has about 500 springs with a diameter of 4 cm;
- S-2000 for each square meter has 1000 springs, a diameter of 2 cm.
The more springs and the smaller their diameter, the better the mattress will adapt to the body of the sleeping person. If you need to choose a good orthopedic mattress, then it is better to take S-1000 or S-2000.
In addition to the traditional design of an independent spring unit, there are for sale mattresses type Dual Spring. One spring is located in another, due to which optimal support is provided for people with different weights - a good option for a couple in which the weight of the partners is very different. For overweight people developed reinforced block mattresses: The springs in them are made of thicker wire and are staggered. There are mattresses in which in different zones are used springs with varying degrees of stiffness. Due to this, maximum ergonomics are achieved, because the pressure exerted by the head and pelvis is different.
Springless mattresses
Such products consist of one or more layers of natural or artificial materials, the rigidity of which can vary greatly. The simplest and cheapest option is a foamless springless mattress. At first it will be convenient, but very soon it will begin to miss. Mattresses show themselves better, where foam rubber mixed with additives other materials, such as coconut or latex. Mattresses made of latex foam have high elasticity and a long service life, but the most durable will be mattresses that are completely made ofnatural latex or coconut fiber. These are elastic, elastic and hypoallergenic products. Depending on the combinations of certain materials The required level of rigidity is achieved.
A high-quality springless mattress will cost a lot, but in terms of performance, it almost does not differ from a product with an independent spring unit. Since there are no springs in it, no one will slide anywhere, and the problem of squeaking will in principle be impossible.This is perfect for children's rooms. We also add convenience in transportation, since a springless product can be twisted. True, under such a mattress, an orthopedic lattice of flexible lamellas is necessary - most modern beds have such a base.
No. 3. Mattress Fillers
Filler, which is located above and below the spring block, is responsible for the stiffness and elasticity of the mattress. Natural fillers work bestwhich "breathe", withstand higher loads and have increased wear resistance. Such mattresses are more expensive than those filled with artificial fibers, but for people weighing more than 100 kg it is better to opt for a natural filler.
Most Popular natural fillers:
- latexobtained from rubber tree sap is a resilient and elastic material that perfectly passes air and provides good support to the spine. Latex is used when it is necessary to give the mattress the proper level of softness;
- coconut coir - filler, which is made from coconut fiber. Unlike latex, it is very hard, and the properties of the mattress depend on the thickness of the layer of this material. For example, with a thickness of 1 cm we get a product of medium stiffness, and with a thickness of 3 cm - very hard. The material does not absorb odors and moisture, is hypoallergenic, and allows air to pass through;
- horsehair. Such a filler will be obtained by cleansing and pressing the hair of horses of special breeds. It is a tough, elastic and wear-resistant material, but in terms of stiffness it is still inferior to coir. It is used mainly in elite types of mattresses;
- sisal it is rarely used for filling, provides high wear resistance, strength and has the ability to easily evaporate absorbed moisture.
Among artificial fillers most often used:
- polyurethane foam, popularly referred to as foam rubber. Such a filler is used both in budget mattresses and in the most expensive products. Foam rubber can vary in thickness, density and quality of performance, but in any case it has good elasticity and breathability, does not cause allergies;
- holofiber in terms of performance, it is not inferior to or even superior to natural materials. The filler consists of many small spirals, due to which it holds heat well, does not absorb moisture and odors, passes air, does not deform for a long time;
- Ormafoam - a sufficiently rigid filler, the porous structure of which allows air to circulate freely;
- memorialform, memorilatex and memorix - fillers that can adapt to the shape of the body and not exert back pressure on the sleeping person. Rest on such a mattress will be as comfortable and healthy as possible.
Much less commonly used to fill the mattress felt, wool, struofiber and some other natural and synthetic materials.
Number 4. Mattress Upholstery
After all the “insides” of the mattress are well studied, it's time to pay attention to what the upholstery is made of. The cover should be made of durable fabric, be strong, wear-resistant and breathable. Usually upholstery is sewn from cotton and flaxthere are covers sewn from artificial fabrics (Polyester is a popular option), but mixed fiber is the best option. For instance, jacquardwhich consists of cotton and polyester threads.
Some manufacturers additionally use special impregnationthat protect the product from insects and fire. The fabric pattern can be anything, it does not play a big role.
Case may be removable and non-removable. Non-removable provides the most tight fit to the mattress and will be the best choice. In a pair to such a mattress is better to take mattress pad, which will take the whole blow on itself: it is easy to remove and wash.Some mattress covers, by the way, have a small layer of filler and can adjust the rigidity of the mattress. Removable covers at home, alas, it is almost impossible to remove and wash.
No. 5. Mattress stiffness
Mattress stiffness should be such that keep the sleeping spine in the correct position. People of different ages and complexities need a different level of stiffness. If greatly simplified, we can say that the more weight, the more rigid the product should be. When choosing a mattress for a bed, consider the following rules:
- soft mattresses suitable for people with low weight, the elderly, as well as for people with diseases of the lumbar spine. Latex, holofiber, orthopedic foam are used as filler in such mattresses, and the more layers of filler are located above the spring block, the softer the mattress will be;
- medium hard mattresses suitable for people of medium build, can be used in children’s and adult bedrooms. These are universal products that consist of a combination of fillers of varying degrees of stiffness;
- hard mattresses Suitable for people with a lot of weight. Often, such products are equipped with a reinforced spring block so that the mattress can withstand the most severe loads.
It is necessary to take into account your own preferences. But what to do when you need to choose a double orthopedic mattress, and requirements for its rigidity in spouses are completely different. There are several solutions to this problem:
- mattresses of varying degrees of rigidityin which the features of the spring block and the filler in different halves can radically differ;
- mattress with spring unit Dual Spring. The design implies the presence of double springs with different diameters. If a person with a small or medium weight rests on the mattress, an external spring with a large diameter works, and with more serious loads, the internal spring is also included in the work;
- the most cardinal decision is to take two single mattresses with clearly defined characteristics and combine them under one mattress cover.
No. 6. Unilateral and bilateral mattresses
Most of the products on the market are single-sided, but some manufacturers also offer double-sided mattresses. In them, the parties differ in the type of coating, due to which the mattress will be comfortable to use in any season. A common option: the “winter” side has a woolen layer and a softer filler, and the “summer” side is covered with absorbent fabric and promotes more intense air exchange.
Number 7. Orthopedic mattresses
People suffering from diseases of the spine, joints and ligaments are better off choosing an orthopedic mattress. Its design allows maximum support to the musculoskeletal system, follows the contours of the body, and prevents numbness in the limbs. For healthy people, such a mattress will be an effective prevention of various kinds of diseases associated with the back. Orthopedic mattresses are usually equipped with an independent spring unit and a filler that remembers the shape of the body.
Number 8. Mattress manufacturers
The name of the manufacturer is the guarantee of quality. Risking your reputation in an era when information on the Internet is distributed instantly, few people get it. You can trust the products of such brands:
- Askona - A domestic manufacturer that produces mattresses with and without springs. All products are certified;
- Mediflex - Another Russian company that specializes in the production of orthopedic mattresses;
- IKEA - a company that does not need to be introduced. All products of the manufacturer are of high quality and at the same time not very expensive;
- Dormeo - high-quality Italian mattresses, presented in a wide range;
- Ormatek - one of the largest domestic manufacturers of products for sleep. The range of mattresses is huge.
When choosing a mattress, do not forget to experience it personally by checking the quality of performance and rigidity. If the product is uncomfortable, then this will be immediately apparent. And further. A mattress is one of the few things that you shouldn’t save on, since too much depends on the quality of sleep.
in the store, the mattress chose the mattress a very soft bed base in the store, orthopedic — but I have a hard one — will the mattress be soft as in a store on my hard base
No, it will not. It will be even softer. If the bed is double and there is a partition on the frame, then in the middle it will be a little tougher.
We have a large bed and it was very difficult to find a good and affordable mattress 200x200 cm. We went around almost all the shops with my husband until I came across a more or less suitable option. But it was sold without a case and was far from medium hardness, as it turned out. But a few days later, we found the same mattress, only with a good cover and medium hardness! The mattress really fit us well. My husband stopped neck ache, given that he sleeps without a pillow.
Ikey mattresses are highly not recommended. After 7 months of use, it turned out to be heavily squeezed, like a soldier's bed. My back was very sore. I had to buy a new one.