Types of Mattress

Sleep

Mattresses may look broadly similar, but the differences within are vast. Here we can give only a brief guide to some of the main options.

From The Outside

The first thing you'll notice about a mattress is its cover - known in the trade as ticking. Manufacturers spend a lot of time choosing attractive colours and designs so their mattresses will look good - but remember 99% of the time it will be covered up with bed clothes!

The ticking is not just there for its good looks, it also needs to be tough and tear resistant. Better quality cloths are woven or knitted in high quality viscose or cotton yarns. Cheaper cloths in polyester or polypropylene are often printed. At the budget end of the market are bonded or stitchbond fabrics and some cheaper knits.

Quilting or Tufting

Most mattresses are finished by either quilting or tufting. Quilting is a decorative effect attaching the outer fabric to the surface fillings; these mattresses tend to have a smoother, flatter surface. Tufting - where tapes are passed right through the mattress at regular intervals and secured each side by tags or washers - prevents loose fillings from being dislodged.

Inside a Mattress

There are essentially two main types of mattress construction - those with and those without springs.

Spring interior mattresses

The majority of mattresses in the UK have spring interiors, which provide the 'core' support. Changing the spring construction, thickness (gauge) of the wire, the number of coils, height of each spring and the quantity alters the tension, feel and weight distribution properties of each mattress.

There are two main types of spring interiors:

  1. Open coil or open sprung
    Open Coil The most widely used option, also known as the Bonnell spring. Springs are arranged in rows and connected to one another, top and bottom, by a spiral helical wire with an outer rod strengthening the perimeter. There are usually 325 coils in a 5ft/150cm size - but some mattresses may have more. They come in a choice of tensions, starting from a very firm 12.5 gauge wire. Priced from budget to mid range.




  2. Pocket Spring
    Pocket Spring Pocket springs are small, softer springs housed in individual fabric pockets, allowing them to work independently of one another, profiling to the body shape to prevent pressure points. Independent support means that there is little or no transmission of movement from on sleeping partner to another. Spring counts typically vary from 1000 up to 1400 in Palatine's range. Pocket springs are generally more expensive than other types of unit and are used mainly in higher quality products.


  3. Fillings
    Interior sprung mattresses use a wide variety of fillings to create different properties and comfort options, as well as affecting price. Fillings are chosen for their resilience, durability, flexibility and ability to absorb body moisture. In cheaper mattresses, fillings usually come in compact pads; in better quality models, layers of loose fillings in greater volumes are often preferred.

Different fillings have specific functions:

  • Cotton - often used near the surface for its soft feel and its ability to breathe and to absorb moisture
  • Wool - naturally resilient fibre, creating a luxurious feel with good fire retardancy properties, it is also breathable.
  • Foam - different types of foam are used for their cushioning effect. They include latex, polyurethane and visco-elastic.
  • Polyester - a synthetic material with good recovery properties.
  • Mixed fibre pads - used both as an insulator and as a standard upholstery pad

Non-Sprung Mattresses

Foam

Most foam mattresses are made from layers of different densities of foam. By varying their density and depth, it's possible to achieve different levels of comfort and support. They are particularly suitable for use with slatted bases and adjustable beds.

There are three main types of foam in use:

  • Latex Latex - a premium quality material derived from the sap of the rubber tree. It has a distinctive, resilient feel, is very durable and has anti-microbial properties that offer benefits to many allergy sufferers. Latex foam has natural elasticity and recovers its shape immediately when pressure is removed. It also has very good point elasticity resulting in even distribution of pressure for independent support.


  • Visco elastic - a relatively new type of polyurethane foam (also commonly known as memory foam). With a unique feel, it slowly responds to body temperature and weight, taking the shape of the user - and slowly recovers its original shape when the heat and pressure is removed. It has good pressure relieving properties and is available in a variety of qualities and densities.


  • Polyurethane - a synthetic, petroleum based foam with performance and price varying according to density and quality. It is widely used and very versatile.