Print Article for : Mattresses With Memory Foam

Your Online Guide » Quality Home Improvement » What Is Interior Design

[M326]Mattresses With Memory Foam

by Robin Obrien, Rob

Memory foam was originally developed by NASA to ease the pressure of extreme G-forces during space shuttle take off. However, it was never used in the space program. The initial memory foam, known as T-foam, gave off too much obnoxious gas for it to be used in a closed environment, such as a bedroom. T-foam also wasn't very durable - it would often compress or crack over time.

However, a small Swedish company called Tempur-Pedic saw the promise of this new material. Tempur-Pedic worked on and refined its version of memory foam; eventually manufacturing a version of memory foam it called TEMPUR. Initially the manufacturing process was expensive and the mattress was only sold to medical establishments that needed mattresses for patients that suffered back problems or from pressure point pain. The improvement of patients? sleep was astounding. Thankfully, the company realized the vast commercial profit that could be made by selling memory foam mattresses to the general public. The manufacturing process was further refined and costs were reduced - although the Tempur-Pedic still remains an expensive purchase, and shortly after, an affordable Tempur-Pedic memory foam mattress went on sale to the general public.

But exactly how does memory foam work?

Memory foam conforms to the exact shape of the sleeper's body. It is a very soft material and isn't able to provide the support necessary, which is why it is often used as a topper on mattresses.

Foam has been used in mattresses for many years. It compresses under body weight and later springs back to its original shape. But memory foam mattresses just don't compress; they mould to the shape of the sleeper's body and they don't spring immediately back into their original shape. The cells of a memory foam mattress employ an open cell structure, which means the cells of foam have holes in them. These compress fully and spread their air pressure to adjoining cells. This feature of memory foam is what really helps to reduce pressure points.

As well as yielding under weight, the cells of a memory foam mattress are heat sensitive; the more heat the more they compress. Temperature sensitivity helps the memory foam mattress to further conform to the exact shape of the sleeper's body.

Is all memory foam the same?

No. Many manufactures now claim to make memory foam mattresses. However, the cell structure of the memory foam isn't always the same. Some are made from low density memory foam or layered with other, cheaper foam products - to keep costs down. As a guideline, the mattress should have at least 3" of 5 lb density memory foam. A thickness of 2" may be adequate but a 3" memory foam mattress does give a better ?feel?. Buying thicker than 3" does have a drawback; memory foam is a soft material and, over time, can loose its shape. You can buy a 4" topper, but you would expect to replace this at some point in the future.

If you're seriously thinking of buy a memory foam mattress then buy one from one of the more reputable and established manufacturers. A memory foam mattress from Serta or Sealy is a good option as is buying from the original - and market leader - Tempur-Pedic.

In recent years, a number of new mattress technologies have come onto the market. Two of the most popular types are memory foam mattresses and latex foam mattresses. Both memory foam mattresses and latex foam mattresses seek to solve a problem that most people are familiar with, the tossing and turning that most of us experience in bed.

Most of this tossing and turning is caused by a process referred to as pressure point arousal. When we lie in bed at night, our body always rests more heavily on certain areas called pressure points. A side sleeper has pressure points located at the hip and shoulder, for example. The purpose of both memory foam and latex mattresses are to reduce these pressure points, by distributing pressure over a wide surface area.

Memory foam has the additional benefit of conforming very closely to the body, and actually "filling gaps" between the body and the mattress surface. Memory foam accomplishes this in part through the way it reacts to pressure. Metal springs and most types of foam will react to pressure by exerting equal, opposing force. Memory foam, because of its slow rebound time and open-cell structure, does not return pressure in this manner. The result is that less force is built up at pressure points, and a more consistent level of support is provided along the entire length of the body.

Latex mattresses, while they are a quality product, are exorbitantly expensive. A full mattress set with a foundation can cost as much as $3,000.00 dollars, compared to about $1,500.00 for a memory foam set. One advantage that probably belongs to latex mattresses is related to durability. Latex mattresses can last fifteen years without any compromise in performance. Memory foam, because of its greater pliability and ability to conform very closely to the body, tends to be slightly less durable, but can still last ten years with little or no degradation. In fact, some memory foam mattress brands such as Sleep Aid www.sleepaidfactory.com place up to twenty-year warranties on their mattresses. In any case, both memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses will last far longer than traditional innerspring mattresses, which have a lifespan of around five years.

One of the things that make memory foam unique, also giving it an important advantage over latex foam, is its ability to react to body heat. When pressure points bear down on a memory foam mattress, they transfer more heat, and therefore soften the foam. It is this reaction to pressure points that allows memory foam to conform so readily to different body types.

For those suffering from excessive pressure point arousal, or specific sleep disorders like fibromyalgia, memory foam mattresses will be a better choice, as they relieve pressure points more effectively than do latex foam mattresses. The most expensive product is not always the best, and mattresses are one instance where thorough research, less expensive memory foam mattresses comes out on top.

John Campbell

Article Source : What Is Interior Design

About Author

Both Robin Obrien & Jon Campbell are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.

Robin Obrien has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Prom Dress and Kids and Teens. Visit bestchoicemattress.com for more information about , whether it be a. Robin Obrien's top article generates over 165000 views. to your Favourites.

Jon Campbell has sinced written about articles on various topics from Water Garden, Interior Design. . Jon Campbell's top article generates over 12100 views. to your Favourites.