Buying a new mattress set can be an intimidating and daunting task. The types of mattresses available along with size, material and quality have become overwhelming in recent years. Mattresses are changing so quickly that a mattress bought only five years ago is virtually impossible to replace with an exact duplicate.

In order to replace your mattress set, you need to have some general knowledge about what qualities you should be looking for in a mattress set. There are many options that need to be considered before you decide on your final mattress purchase, but there are only three major qualities that need to be intricately examined when shopping for your mattress set. Those qualities are comfort and support level, foundation and warranty.

Comfort And Support

When it comes to comfort and support, there are three basic options: firm, plush and pillow top. The comfort of each mattress really depends solely on the individual, but some basic standards have been implemented to help determine what type of mattress you prefer.

Persons suffering from back pain may find more relief from a firm mattress. However, plush and pillow top mattresses have the same support foundation as a firm mattress. The difference between each comfort level is the number of padding layers placed on top of the firm foundation. A firm mattress has basically no layers of padding, whereas a plush mattress will have a handful of additional padding layers. A pillow top has several additional layers of padding making it the most comfortable of the three comfort levels. Again, the true comfort level depends on your personal preference.

Foundation

The foundation of the mattress describes what type of materials the mattress is made of. There are four standard options when it comes to foundation types. You can usually choose from mattress foundations composed of coil springs, foam, water or air chambers. The durability of your mattress will vary depending on the foundation you choose, as will the comfort level. If you choose a basic coil spring mattress, make sure the coils are flexible to insure lasting durability.

Warranty

In this case, you usually get what you pay for. A cheaper mattress set will probably have a very short warranty, often less than a year. However, a warranty of up to five years might accompany a high quality mattress. Make sure that you are really getting what you are paying for, and get a long term warranty with your new mattress set.