Mattresses come in all shapes, sizes, and materials to choose from. You may be looking to invest in a new mattress for any number of reasons, such as to relieve back pain or to keep you cool at night. Whatever your reason is for searching for a new bed, you may be wondering which is better a spring mattress or a foam mattress?
So how do I choose? We believe the best way for you to make a mattress purchasing decision is to first learn about what materials make up these beds.
What is a foam mattress?
A foam mattress, known in the industry as memory foam, is comprised of a material created by NASA in the 1960s. The memory foam material is composed of a polyurethane foam that is also referred to as synthetic viscoelastic memory foam.
Within the construction of the foam are open bubble cells that create a matrix in which air can flow. This makes the material sensitive to body weight and temperature, allowing it to conform to a person’s body.
Memory foam mattresses are known for their soft material that cuddles a person’s body that needs pressure relief. They also isolate motion, which makes them ideal for couples who share a bed and are also perfect for side sleepers.
However, one of the negative aspects of a foam mattress is that they do not respond quickly to movement. In other words, the soft cloud-like cradling you enjoy will make it a bit harder to get out of bed.
Also, note that when you first unpack a memory foam mattress in your home, it will have a slight odor. But this odor should dissipate in a couple of days as long as it is given ample time to breathe.
Foam mattresses tend to be on the higher end of the price point spectrum.
What are spring mattresses?
The most traditional type of mattress on the market is the innerspring mattress, also referred to as spring or coil mattresses.
Heinrich Westphal invented the first innerspring mattress in 1871. His beds consisted of a continuous coil construction that had numerous rows of s-curved wires. The structure worked by contracting as the weight was applied and created a support system in which each coil drew support from its neighbor.
Innerspring mattresses have come a long way over the years and have been perfected by new technologies. Today it is common to see these beds created with a pocketed coil system that lends itself to greater comfort and motion isolation.
Coils are best known for offering firmer support. This makes them ideal for sleepers who suffer from chronic back pain. Due to their open-cell design, they promote excellent airflow. The better airflow keeps sleepers whose body heat rises when they sleep cool better than memory foam mattresses.
Innerspring mattresses are more affordable than their memory foam counterparts. They provide excellent firmness and support, but they do transfer some motion and can be a bit noisy. The best way to identify a spring mattress is if you sit down on it, and it feels as though it bounces back at you.
Which mattress is best for me?
Ultimately the decision of which mattresses best suits your needs is up to you. However, think about what you need most when you sleep.
Do you need a bed that will support perfect alignment for your spine and joints? If so, we suggest looking into memory foam mattresses.
Perhaps, you prefer a firmer solution that allows more airflow, then look into an innerspring mattress.
If you can’t decide which is best for your unique needs, there is another option you may consider. The hybrid mattress, which combines both spring and memory foam, has been on the rise in popularity over the past few years.
Where to shop for a new mattress?
If you are shopping for a new mattress near Andrews or Murphy, North Carolina, be sure to drop in at Nothing But Beds, where we will give you the best deal around! We can also advise you on what type of mattresses will best suit your needs. Contact us today for more details and to see our vast inventory.
