Buying a new mattress can be a daunting prospect with the large range of options available. We have put together this short guide to buying a new mattress to make the process that little bit easier. Most mattresses will last an average of 8-10 years. If your mattress is older than this, feels lumpy or dips in the middle, then it is probably time you thought about buying a new one. An uncomfortable or worn mattress could lead to poor quality sleep which in turn will leave you feeling tired and un-rested. There are quite a few things to think about when buying a new mattress so we have tried to summarise the main questions below.
What size of mattress?
Mattresses come in four main sizes – single, double, king and super king. The measurements for these mattresses are:
Single Mattress - 3'0"
Double Mattress - 4'6"
King Size Mattress - 5'0"
Super King Size Mattress - 6'0"
Generally speaking you should choose the biggest mattress size which will fit your budget and your room. In most cases, the more space you have in your bed, the better you will sleep. Some manufacturers can also provide mattresses in non-standard sizes as well as continental sizes.
What type of mattress?
There are four main types of mattress – pocket sprung, open sprung, foam and orthopaedic. Pocket sprung are usually the most expensive and also the most luxuriant. They consist of coils which are arranged in a honeycomb pattern. Open sprung mattresses are slightly cheaper and the coils are hinged together in a regular pattern. The thickness of the springs is called the gauge with a lower gauge number indicating a thicker spring. If you prefer firmer mattresses you should look for a lower gauge number. In both types of sprung mattress, the layers of padding are attached to the spring units. More expensive mattresses will have more than one layer of padding with the layer next to the springs being slightly tougher than the outer layers. The outer cover of the mattress is often made of cotton, viscose or cotton mixtures. Sprung mattresses can have one of three different top covers, panel, quilted or tufted. The panel top mattresses are flat and smooth on top and are usually cheaper than quilted or tufted mattresses. The tufted mattresses are usually the most expensive and have lots of buttons which tie into the spring units holding all the layers of padding together. Orthopaedic mattresses are sprung mattresses which are very firm, something which will not suit everybody.
Foam mattresses have improved drastically over recent years and have become quite technical. They are usually designed to mould to the contours of your body. Two brand names which you have probably heard of are Dunlopillo and Tempur. These are both at the more expensive end of the market. You can also get very cheap foam mattresses which are not very good quality and are made of polyurethane. If you start looking at foam mattresses to will come across latex foam and memory foam. Latex is natural and memory foam is synthetic. Also memory foam is temperature sensitive while latex foam is not.
How firm should the mattress be?
Mattresses range from soft to extra firm. Which one you choose is a matter of personal preference and can make quite a difference to how comfortable the bed is. Generally speaking, a mattress should support your body at every point. If you and your partner have different requirements it is possible to get mattresses that will suit you both. It is also possible to buy mattresses with 'zoned support' which give more support in certain areas such as at the end or in the centre. It is usually recommended that you buy the firmest mattress which you find comfortable. When wanting to know how firm a sprung mattress is there are three main indicators. The firmer the mattress, the lower the gauge number, the higher the number of coils and the stiffer the materials used to make up the mattress.
Which manufacturer?
It is probably safer to stick to manufacturers that have well known names and who supply shops nationally.
Which base for your mattress?
The base you choose can affect the softness or firmness of your mattress. Sprung bases absorb some of the weight applied through the mattress by your body with the result that the mattress will feel softer. Slatted or boarded bases are much more rigid which will make the mattress feel firmer. Which is best is really down to personal choice. If you are buying a divan bed, you should buy the mattress and the base as a set. This will ensure that the two parts work together at their best. If you buy one of the larger size mattresses, you should ensure that the base has a centre support.
How often should I turn my mattress?
This will depend somewhat on the mattress type but as a rough guide each mattress should be turned at least 4 times a year.
What if I have an allergy or suffer from asthma?
One of the most common triggers for people with asthma is the house dust mite. More than 5.1 million people in the UK have asthma, and it is thought that around one in ten buy special impermeable covers for mattresses, pillows and quilts in a bid to cut down their exposure to the house dust mite. Dust mites are invisible to the naked eye and most commonly live in bedding and mattresses, feeding on dead skin cells. If you have asthma and have questions about beds and mattresses you should consult an expert or try calling the asthma UK Helpline.