Air Beds |
| are a broad category of beds where air is used to
support the sleeper. Small motors pump air into mattress
bladders to make them different levels of firmness.
The advantage of air beds is that you can adjust the
level of firmness to suit you, and your partner can
do the same. The disadvantages are that some of the
pumps are noisy and require maintenance, and the air
bladders can develop leaks. These beds are usually racetracked
(see below), so spouses may not feel comfortable cuddling
in the middle. The biggest names in air beds are Select
Comfort, Nautilus, and Comfortaire. Select Comfort came
up with the Sleep by Number bed (see below). |
| Body Impressions: |
| are indentations in a mattress that happen when the
mattress compresses over time. People talk about the
2 valleys or compressions or holes in a mattress when
a couple is sleeping on it. When you notice compression,
it's probably time to change your mattress |
| Box Springs: |
| are a frame surface used to support a mattress. Typically
box springs will be used on top of a metal frame. The
box springs raise the mattress higher off the floor
and give the manufacturer and retailer something else
to sell. You can often replace the mattress only without
replacing the box springs, but it is important that
your new mattress be placed on a surface that works
well with it. |
| Core: |
| This term is most commonly used in referring to "latex
cores", meaning a solid block of latex foam rubber
usually measuring 39" x 80". This is the size
of the 90% of the molds used around the world to produce
blocks of latex which are then fabricated or glues together
to arrive at the finished size-full, queen, or king.
There are also molds measuring 60"x 80" but
much more expensive and only a handful of latex manufacturers
around the world have them. |
| Cotton: |
| is a natural product and is excellent for clothing
and sheets, material that is close to your skin. However,
it is not a great mattress product because it absorbs
moisture, is a haven for dust mites, and it compresses.
Conventionally grown cotton uses fertilizers and pesticides
and it os normally treated with fire retardant. Although
it sounds nice, organic cotton will still absorb moisture,
compress, and house dust mites; and it can become moldy.
|
| Density: |
| is a measurement of the mass per unit volume. Measured
and expressed in pounds per cubic foot (pcf) or kilograms
per cubic meter (kg/m3), density is one of the most
important of all properties. Density is a function of
the chemistry used to produce the foam and additives
included with the foam chemistry. Density affects foam
durability and support. Typically, the higher the polymer
density, the better the foam will retain its original
properties and provide the support and comfort it was
originally designed to produce |
Dunlop: |
| is a method used in producing latex mattresses. The
serum is collected from rubber trees, then poured into
a mold and baked. Dunlop is normally a natural process
for producing latex, but not always. |
| Dust Mites: |
| are in the arachnid family which includes spiders,
scorpions and ticks. Dust mites feed on dead skin that
sloughs from our bodies. They live their whole lives
in mattresses, pillows, and in dark corner dust bunnies:
hatching, growing, eating, defecating, mating, laying
eggs. Yes, this is pretty gross. Dust mites do very
well in fibers like cotton, wool, and polyester; they
cannot survive in natural latex and don't do well in
memory foam, either. Allergies like rashes and trouble
breathing are often attributable to dust mites. |
| Duvet: |
| A duvet is a French word for “cover.” A duvet can
be like a comforter, or it can also be similar to a
pillow top mattress if it is removeable. |
| Energia Foam |
| Product name of foam manufactured by "Foamex
Foam" in US |
| Fiber: |
| are strands of material made from cotton, polyester,
wool, or silk. Fiber is used extensively in mattresses.
Strands of fiber have air between the strands. Fiber
always compresses over time. |
| Foundation: |
| is similar to a box spring except that it is rigid
whereas a box spring is flexible |
| Futon: |
| is a bendable, foldable
mattress that will fit into an upright frame. When the
frame is upright, it is used as a couch. It is usually
used as a couch during the day and a bed at night. Futons
vary widely in price. A frame and mattress and cover
can range from $200 - $1000 and higher. These days some
futons are very comfortable, unlike most of those made
prior to year 2000. |
| Hi-Density Foam: |
| Foam measured with a density greater than 1.8. |
| Hi-Resiliency Foam: |
Also called HR Foam is foam with a density greater
than 1.8. |
IFD: |
Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) is a measurement
of foam firmness. Firmness is independent of foam
density, although it is often thought that higher
density foams are firmer. It is possible to have high-density
foams that are soft – or low-density foams that are
firm, depending on the IFD specification. IFD specification
relates to comfort. It is a measurement of the surface
feel of the foam. IFD is measured by indenting (compressing)
a foam sample 25 percent of its original height. The
amount of force (in pounds) required to indent the
foam is its 25 percent IFD measurement. The more force
required, the firmer the foam. Flexible foam IFD measurements
range from 10 pounds (supersoft) to about 80 pounds
(very firm). |
| ILD: |
Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) is a measurement
of foam firmness. Firmness is independent of foam
density, although it is often thought that higher
density foams are firmer. It is possible to have high
density foams that are soft – or low density foams
that are firm, depending on the ILD specification.
ILD specification relates to comfort. It is a measurement
of the surface feel of the foam. ILD is measured by
indenting (compressing) a foam sample 25 percent of
its original height. The amount of force (in pounds)
required to indent the foam is its 25 percent ILD
measurement. The more force required, the firmer the
foam. Flexible foam ILD measurements range from 10
pounds (supersoft) to about 80 pounds (very firm).
|
Insomnia: |
is a sleep disorder referring to
the problem of not being able to fall asleep or the
problem of waking up too early. Everyone experiences
periods of insomnia in his or her life. If the periods
are prolonged and you feel daytime sleepiness, it
is recommended that you consult a physician. |
Knockoff:
|
is a copy of the original. Xerox
was the first company to come out with a copier. Other
companies made knockoffs. Tempurpedic was the first
company to come out with memory foam. Other companies
have knockoffs, some good, some not so good. |
Latex: |
| comes from the rubber tree which only grows within
about 700 miles from the equator. Latex is used in a
wide variety of products from rubber bands to rubber
gloves to latex used in mattresses. |
| Leggett & Platt: |
| is the name of the company that makes most of the
components for adjustable beds in the U.S., even when
they are sold under different names like Tempur-Pedic
and Craftmatic. Leggett and Platt is the manufacturer
of all of our adjustable beds and handles all the warranties,
including the S-cape model sold under the Tempur-Pedic
brand name. |
| Manufacturer Material Data Sheet: |
| MMDS |
| Mattress Industry: |
| today is composed of 4 major categories—springs,
air, water, and foam. Spring mattresses still hold most
of the market share, followed by foam, air, and water.
Each category has its own benefits and costs, suitable
to different individual needs. |
| Memory Foam: |
| is synonymous with visco-elastic foam. Tempur-pedic
was the first company to use memory foam in mattresses.
Many companies have gone to copying the material and
using the generic name for it. This foam is an open
cell foam that responds to the weight and heat of your
body and relieves pressure. It comes in many thicknesses,
densities, and different levels of softness and firmness
(see ild). |
| Natural Latex: |
| 100% pure, natural latex is a serum that is collected
from the rubber tree and processed into sheets of latex.
Pure latex is by far the most resilient material used
in mattresses today. It is far more resilient than memory
foam, Tempur material, and other fiber mattresses. |
| North Star: |
| With so many chemicals flooding the market and polluting
our landfills, North Star is a brand of organic mattresses
made with no chemicals. These natural mattresses are
built using layers of latex that allow you to adjust
the comfort of the mattress after you have slept on
it. It is an ingenious concept that other manufacturers
will no doubt be copying in years to come |
| Pillow Top: |
| is a mattress with a separate little mattress on
the top. This concept was introduced in the 1970's when
soft waterbeds became popular. When all beds were firm,
the pillow top idea made it possible to make a firm
bed with a soft top to compete with soft waterbeds.
Often filled with fiber, it is common for these to take
body impressions and to compress. Often these body impressions
are not under warranty. Pillow Top mattresses are normally
sewn right to the mattress. The Savvy Sleeper recommends
against fiber pillow tops. Foam pillow tops are usually
ok. |
| Platform Bed: |
is a type of bed familiar to the
futon industry where a wooden frame is used with slats
that go across from side to side. When you use a platform
bed, you don't need a box spring or a foundation.
You can place the mattress directly on the slats.
|
| Pressure Relief: |
Traditional mattresses produce
an upward pressure on your body, while your body has
downward pressure from gravity. Where the 2 forces
meet, especially in the shoulders and hips, you can
experience pain from prolonged pressure. This pressure
reduces circulation. The result can be pain, numbness,
or soreness upon awakening. A true pressure relieving
mattress will give more in those places where there
is pressure, relieving those spots. |
| PureTouch: |
is the brand name used by Ther-a-pedic
for all of their 100% pure and 100% natural latex
beds. |
Quilting: |
is the process used to sew fiber
or foam to fabric. This product is then used to cover
the top of a mattress. Quilting is done in different
shapes; sometimes logos are sewn into the cover. |
Racetracking:
|
| is the term for using firm foam around the perimeter
of a bed. Sellers of this type of bed will tell you
the advantage which is that you can easily sit on the
side of the bed and put your socks on. True. Sometimes
it is package as “perimeter support.” The real reason
it is done is because it is cheap, and they can use
less material on the real part of the bed, which is
normally more expensive. In air beds and waterbeds it
makes the bed less susceptible to the wave type motion—well,
because there is less bed. The disadvantage of racetracking
is that it reduces your sleep surface by anywhere from
15% - 25%. |
| Recovery Time : |
| is the time it takes for a piece of foam to return
to its original shape. Latex foam has a fast recovery
time, and memory foam has a long recovery time. Along
with ILD, the Recovery Time is one of the most important
factors in determining comfort |
| Sealy, Simmons, and Serta: |
| are regarding as the Big 3 in bedding. Together they
account for more than 95% of the bedding industry in
the United States. Most of this is traditional bedding
for hotels, dormitories, as well as consumers. |
| Silk: |
| is a very strong material made from the silkworm.
If you find this material in a mattress, most likely
it is a very small amount and has little effect. An
all silk mattress would require a nation of silworms
on steroids. |
| Sleep by Number: |
| is a smart marketing idea developed by Select Comfort,
the largest manufacturer of air beds today (see air
beds above). The idea is that you can adjust the level
of firmness of your mattress by pumping more or less
air into the bed. It works for some people, although
most people find memory foam or latex more comfortable.
|
| Spring Mattresses: |
| were developed around 1900. The spring mattress revolutionized
mattresses which formerly had been made of cotton or
horsehair or other materials. The steel spring created
a whole different feel as well as a different manufacturing
process. In the past 15 - 20 years new ways of using
springs, as well as new terminology and new marketing,
have helped spring mattresses hold on to the majority
of the mattress market. |
| Swedish Foam: |
| is another term trademarked by Tempurpedic. It is
the same as their memory foam which they like to call
Tempur material. |
| Synthetic Latex: |
is sold under many different names.
Because pure latex is expensive, most companies add
clay and petro-chemicals to their latex to make the
latex go farther. These chemicals can have harmful
effects in our bodies. |
Talalay: |
is
one of the processes used in manufacturing latex.
Usually chemicals are added in the process because
it's easier to work with than natural latex, but Talalay
is technically a process, not necessarily a chemical
process. When the latex is poured into the mold and
the mold is closed, the material is then vacuumed,
and then frozen. Manufacturers using the Talalay process
claim that it makes a more consistent product than
those using the Dunlop process, although the Dunlop
process has been around a lot longer, and Dunlop mattresses
have a record of having lasted up to 30 years. |
Tempur Material:
|
is the memory foam that the company
Tempur-Pedic uses in their mattresses. As Tempur-Pedic
has patented the material, they have also trademarked
the name so no one else can legally use the term “Tempur
material.” This material was designed originally by
NASA to relieve pressure the astronauts experienced
on takeoff and landing. |
Tempur-Pedic: |
Refers to the company with the
same name, as well as to the Tempurpedic mattress.
Tempur-pedic was the first company to use memory foam
or visco-elastic foam in mattresses. |
Ther-a-pedic:
|
is the 5th largest manufacturer
of bedding in the U.S. and makes a complete range
of bedding. Ther-a-pedic owns the PureTouch trademark,
as well as the plantations in Indonesia where the
rubber trees are grown and harvested. |
Tufting:
|
means that a cover is sewn from
the top all the way to the bottom of the mattress.
Tufting keeps layers of foam from shifting inside
a futon mattress. Futons are usually tufted; traditional
mattresses are quilted. |
Visco-elastic
Foam: |
| Sometimes just called “visco,” it is synonymous with
memory foam. Tempur-pedic was the first company to use
visco-elastic foam in mattresses. Many companies have
gone to copying the material and using the generic name
for it. This foam is an open cell foam that responds
to the weight and heat of your body and relieves pressure.
It comes in many thicknesses, densities, and different
levels of softness and firmness (see ILd). |
| Warranty: |
| is a statement by the manufacturer that your mattress
will retain certain qualities over a certain period
of time, and what they will do about it. Although it
may be relevant, warranties are largely marketing techniques.
Sometimes warranties cover only “defects in materials
and workmanship.” Sometimes they cover body impressions,
sometimes not. Warranties are either full, meaning that
they will replace the entire mattress; or they are pro-rated,
meaning that you will bear part of the cost of the replacement.
Warranties are written to read as if they protect you.
When you realize that they are written by the manufacturer,
it's clear they are designed to help sell the most product
at the least cost to them over the long term. |
| Waterbeds: |
| is a category of beds
that became popular in the 1970's and took over 20%
of the mattress market. Waterbeds altered for good the
public perception that “firmer is better,” a myth generated
by the mattress industry early on. Waterbeds now own
a very small market percentage because of the entry
of airbeds and a variety of foams, as well as problems
with leaks and pumps. |
| Wool: |
| comes from sheep, as if anyone didn't know that. Although
it is better than cotton because it does not absorb
water as well and is dust mite resistant, it does compress.
|
