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 Process: |
| 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.
|
| 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. |
| 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. |
