When you walk into a mattress or furniture store to look at a new bed, do you ever wonder what makes up a mattress? How do you choose a mattress based off what you're told by the salesman? There are three basic parts to a mattress, the core, the ticking and the topper, and then there is the base or what it sits on.
First part of the mattress is the core; this can be one of the five types of mattresses available. The core can be inner spring, foam, air, water or anything else you can imagine. There is a company that creates a series of suspension cords to create a sling effect; I saw this bed demonstrated at a trade show some years ago. Some manufacturers use a series of layers to create the core of a mattress, depending on the firmness and design of the mattress.
Double Bed Mattress
Second are what those in the mattress industry call the "ticking", which is basically the fabric and foam top that covers all the core materials. It originally was heavy weight cotton fabric, which created an encasement for the stuffing or 'guts' of the mattress. During the war, which one I'm not sure, my grandmother made a cotton mattress with blue and white striped ticking. I still have it today. It was hand crafted and is heavier than the mattress I have on my bed now, which is steel innerspring. The ticking of mattresses now can be cotton, poly-blend, velour, even wool or cashmere. It all depends on the rating of the mattress, as to what is put on the outside.
The third part of the mattress is the topper. This can be just a foam layer or several layers with the ticking cover, or more extensive. Some of the mattresses available now have layers and layers of different types of foam, batting and then of course the ticking. How to decide on these types of toppers depends on you the consumer. There are several types of toppers as well as layers inside. The is as follow, pillow top, super pillow top, plush pillow top, euro top and then the ever confusing euro box top. These are dependent on the depth of the foam and the shape it is in when attached. This is where the sheeting issue comes in.
Keeping mattress covers and sheets on some of these monsters is near impossible, if you don't know the depth of the mattress when you purchase the sheets. I have also heard from some, you should not purchase a pillow top mattress, because it's difficult to find sheets, hard to clean and you don't have the option to flip the mattress. Well here's the flip side. Say you buy a standard firm mattress and hate it. You end up buying a memory foam topper and a fancy mattress cover. Here's the problem with that, how do you keep the foam on the bed? I know this is a problem, I slept on an older mattress and to extend the life of the mattress I added a few toppers, and I do mean a few. The problem was keeping the topper, the cover and sheets on the bed, they slid off. So I purchased a gripping material to keep the things on the bed. In the end, I purchased a new mattress with the pillow top attached. The sheets haven't moved since.
Lastly, you come to the base of the mattress, the foundation or the box springs. When you go to purchase a new mattress you may find the price does not include the box springs or base, which may be separate. It depends on where you're going to put it. If you are placing the mattress on a wooden bed frame, with say storage under or simply a lifted base, you don't need the box springs. You may buy a bed system, which has a series of slats or wires which support the mattress, say in a trundle bed or the like, you would not need the box springs here either. There is also the ever popular adjustable bed, some with massage or heat included; these come with remotes as well.
The box spring if you have ever asked or looked at them are fairly basic for some mattresses, wood frame with stiff metal springs and a flimsy cover stapled onto them, or the more expensive with stainless steel springs and heavy metal wiring to support the heavy mattress on top. This again depends on the grade of mattress you purchase. I have to warn you, the box spring can be a factor, but the frame can either make or break the mattress. Some frames are flimsy, cheap or downright 'shin killers', you need to consider what the box spring will rest on and if it will last the duration of the mattress. I have to tell you most do not. This is why you can go to your local discount warehouse store and buy another one. So be diligent about picking your frame and box spring combination.
In conclusion, don't be afraid to ask what's inside of the mattress. If it's made of ten layers an inch thick, you might want to reconsider. It might be just pieced together, similar to particle board in construction. You definitely need to ask questions about what materials are used and what the warranty or guarantee is on the entire bedding system. Don't buy and get home with a saggy mattress only to become aware of the voided warranty or lack there of.
Christmas Sales Smart Air Beds Deluxe Flock Top Raised Full Size Air Bed (Elevated 22" High) 201
Dec 13, 2011 15:49:16
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Christmas Sales Smart Air Beds Deluxe Flock Top Raised Full Size Air Bed (Elevated 22" High) Feature
- Full Size: approx. 74" L x 54" W x 22" H
- Sleep surface is raised 22" off the ground
- ETL listed AC pump inflates the mattress is about 4 minutes
- Supports 400 lbs
- Great for overnight guests, temporary relocations, slumber parties, visiting friends & family, and more
Christmas Sales Smart Air Beds Deluxe Flock Top Raised Full Size Air Bed (Elevated 22" High) Overview
Have you ever stayed at someone's house and slept on their old sofa day bed? Or a futon mattress? Or maybe you and your spouse were forced to share a twin size bed? NO MORE!Raised 22" off the ground, the Smart Air Beds Deluxe Flock Top Full Size Inflatable Mattress is exactly what you're looking for if you have overnight guests coming or you plan on doing some traveling yourself.Complete with a soft flocked top sleep surface, at 22" this air bed is almost the height of a traditional box spring and mattress (about 25"), so you or your guests are up off the floor, away from any cold drafts. Engineered with an septa-I-beam construction, the Deluxe Flocked Top Full Size Air Bed has 7 bed length chambers of air that provide support and stability. The 23 gauge (.60 mm) super-thick, water proof flocked top and 14 gauge (.35 mm) sides and bottom give this air bed 400 lbs. weight capacity. The whole bed has expertly electronically welded seams for long lasting quality.The handheld powerful ETL listed A/C pump can have the mattress ready from box to bed in about 4 minutes. The pump, which is external and detachable, can be used to inflate other inflatables as well. The bed uses standard full sheets (not included), and the fitted sheet is aided by the flocked topping and a well placed horizontal groove along all sides to limit sheet slippage. Patented anti-roll edges on the sides and at the foot and the head of the bed are a little bit higher, keeping you on the bed and off the floor. When you're ready to pack the item up, simply open the patented 2-in-1 valve to release the air, roll and fold, and store the item neatly in the included storage bag - easy to keep in a linen closet, under a desk (for those of you who take naps at work) or anywhere with limited space. Note: item size may fluctuate by a couple of inches on the height and width depending on the level of inflation and the cut of the material when it was made.SAVE NOW on Christmas Sales Offers below!
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