Tag Archives: durability

Introducing The Latex Memory Foam Mattress | Actually A Comparison Of Latex And Memory Foam

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There are essentially two types of foam mattress; the latex foam mattress and the memory foam mattress.  The latex foam mattress is made using latex foam and can be either natural or synthetic in its origin.  Latex is comfortable and durable when used in a mattress, in fact it is able to retain its shape and characteristic even after many years of use.  Memory foam is of course a viscoelastic product that becomes more liquid when it comes into contact with a warm body giving it the tendency to mold itself around a body providing both significant comfort and support.  You can purchase a memory foam mattress and you can purchase a latex foam mattress but as yet you cannot purchase a latex memory foam mattress because of course latex foam and memory foam are essentially two different products.

However, both types of mattress are very popular so it is worth spending a little time comparing both products in order to give a sensible view of which perhaps is the best product to buy.

Consumer Choices

There appears to be something of a geographical split when it comes to the popularity of the different types of mattress.  In the US the memory foam mattress is clearly in the ascendency and has become a very popular product for use in household products with perhaps the memory foam mattress at the top of the list in that regard.

Latex foam mattresses and indeed latex foam products generally have much more traction in Europe.  There does not seem to be any particular cause of this difference; perhaps it is just historical but latex foam products are strong in European countries and likely to remain so.

The Feel Of The Mattresses In Use

Generally speaking the feel of memory foam mattresses is well known.  Users describe a sort of “sinking” or “melting” feeling when they first lie on the mattress and because the mattress moulds itseld around them supporting at all points they tend to describe the sensation as “cocooned” and of course exceptionally comfortable.

Not everyone likes the sensation experienced when lying on memory foam however and for those who do not the latex foam mattress which is springier and generally firmer to sleep on is an ideal alternative.

Price Comparison

Good quality memory foam products are quite expensive.  A good quality memory foam mattress, such as a Temper-Pedic mattress will set you back up to $3000 and even cost around $800 at the starter end of the market.

On the other hand, the latex foam mattresses are a little less expensive, starting at around $300 and moving up to perhaps $1500 at the top end.

Other Similarities And Differences

Both latex and memory foam mattresses tend to give off a strange almost clinical smell when they are first bought.  This usually wears off pretty quickly but in the case of memory foam especially the weird smell can last for several weeks.

Latex foam mattresses tend to last longer than memory foam, perhaps being twice as durable.  Memory foam mattresses are better for those suffering from back ache or chronic fatigue due to way it moulds around the body, reducing movement generally.  However moulding effect can also be a drawback for memory foam as it tends to be slow to re-mould when you do change your position and can make sitting up a little awkward.  Latex foam mattresses on the other hand are firmer, do not mould but over time can get a little out of shape.

Memory foam mattresses can absorb moisture and can get very hot, whereas there are less issues with latex foam mattresses in this regard.  Memory foam is heavier and therefore harder to manoeuvre around, especially when initially installing.  Although having said that, what mattress is easy to manoeuvre.  None that I have ever come across.

In summary, latex foam mattresses are generally popular in European countries, are springy and durable but perhaps less therapeutic in benefiting sleep.  They are however less expensive than their memory foam equivalents.  Memory foam mattresses are on the other hand popular in the US, fantastic for therapeutic sleep and generally more expensive than their latex counterparts.  They both have a weird smell.  Perhaps, in conclusion in order to get the best of both worlds a latex memory foam mattress should be manufactured.  It would clean up in both Europe and the US ;-) .

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Common Qualities In All The Best Memory Foam Mattresses

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This is a very common question for people shopping around for memory foam beds and it is a very tough question to answer as there are a just too many variables to consider. It would be akin to asking, which car is the best? Or which is shampoo is the best? Now, while giving a specific answer is difficult, pointing you in the right direction so that you can refine the search yourself is very much possible.

Before you begin your search there are a few basics you have to know about memory foams. Memory foams have their unique property of being able to mold itself perfectly to your body contours and provide exceptional support.

This property of memory foams is derived from the chemical bonding structure of its components and the manufacturing process resulting in the creation of millions of minute cell structures. Here are the common qualities present in high quality memory foams

Durability:

Density is one important factor in choosing the best memory foam mattress. This is because with greater number of the ingredients molecules within the memory foam results in more bond formation which gives better resilience and durability. Density is given in Lbs. per cubic foot. The best memory foam mattresses generally have density ratings between 4lbs to 6lbs and are guaranteed for at least about 15 to 20+ years.

Inert and non toxic chemicals:

All the best memory foam mattresses address health issues and will ensure that the ingredients used are fully inert once manufacturing is completed. Also adhesives used should be nontoxic as generally cheaper mattress uses cheap adhesives which can gas off for months or years.

Quality fire retardants:

Fire retardants are an important issue with memory foams because untreated memory foams are highly combustible. US laws require compliance with FR test for all mattresses sold. Non-toxic fire retardants for example Kevlar based FR will be used in all the best memory foam mattresses. Cheaper mattresses may contain PDBE or other chemicals which can be highly toxic.

Aeration and absorption:

One common problem with memory foams is their heat retention. Best memory foam mattresses all integrate designs which increase aeration to eliminate heat retention and promote breathability. Also all the best memory foam mattress comes with high quality covers which are specifically designed to increase absorption of fluids and oils all the while serves as barriers to water and dust mites.

Overall, apart from individual tastes in comfort and support, these are all the qualities that you want if you are looking for the best memory foam mattress.

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How To Make Your Memory Foam Mattress Pads Last

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Memory foam mattress pads are a good alternative to buy a whole memory foam mattress. You can not only use them to give your old mattress a new lease of life but since the pads are portable you can take them with you easily when you travel. The only problem with these pads that most people face is that they do not last long enough for them. To make them last longer here are some things you should consider before making your choice.

Density:

The densities of memory foam mattress pads are very important if you are looking for durability. Density is given in terms of Lbs. per cubic foot. Essentially the higher the density the longer is its durability and the better is the support it provides. At higher density however, memory foams do tend to become much more firm and response to body weight and temperature takes more time. Also heat retention can be a problem in warmer climates with high density foams. There are many parameters for choosing memory foam mattress pads and it is very difficult to give an exact recommendation. Generally a 3-5lb density works as a good average for most.

Covers:

It is very important to get good covers for your memory foam mattress pads as they will be the only line of defense in protecting your mattress pads. Good memory foam cover should not only protect your memory foam from dust or dirt but keep it safe from getting torn or damaged. Getting your memory foam soaked by water or other liquids can adversely affect the durability of your memory foam mattress pads and also dust mites may get into your memory foam pads therefore getting waterproof and dust mite proof covers is a good investment for durability and health reasons.

Base support:

It is important to use a proper base support mattress for your memory foam mattress pads as this will not only keep you from bottoming out and being unable to derive the benefits of the memory foam but also allow room for the memory foam such that it is not overly compressed to its maximum compression state. Refrain from using the memory foam mattress pad on a bare floor not only for the above stated reasons but also for the fact that it exposes it to moisture and will damage the memory foam.

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Choosing The Right Grade Of Memory Foam

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When choosing to buy memory foam you would normally come across a large variety of these in all shapes, sizes, weights or density etc. With a wide range of choices to make it becomes rather difficult to make choices. So here is what you need to know on how they are graded and this understanding will help you make find exactly what you need.

Categories for the grading system:

Density rating:

Memory foams are graded on their density in terms of its weight in pounds per square foot. Higher density results in greater visco-elasticity from having more of its chemical components packed into a smaller area. Better visco-elasticity implies greater life of the memory foam unique property. Recommendation density is about 4-5lb. Although density is a good measure of the quality of the memory foam but it alone does not give a complete picture.

IDL rating:

This is another grade that should be taken into consideration while deciding on a purchase. IDL stands for Indentation Load Deflection. Without getting into the details of this grading system, IDL simply rates on how soft or hard the memory foam is. A higher IDL rating implies that the foam is firmer or harder. When considering IDL ratings always take in to consideration the thickness of the memory foam. Thicker foams can make do with lower IDL ratings and vice versa.

Resilience and Tensile strength rating:

Although they not as important as density and IDL rating from a buyer’s point of view, resilience and tensile rates gives an overview of the durability and quality of the foam.  Higher resilience rating implies greater rebound and accordingly stronger and more durable foam when exposed to pressure. Simply put resilience determines how long the memory foam will keep returning to its original shape. While tensile strength determines the ability of the memory foam to handle stretching or compression.

Warranty:

This is not exactly a grading system but it is very useful in getting an overall idea on how good the quality of the memory foam is. Generally the warranty on good quality foams should range between 10 – 30 years. Any memory foam with a warranty of below 10 years does not speak well for itself while a warranty of 15 years is highly recommended for purchase.

Overall memory foam grading rates are not exact as it can vary from the marked ratings. For example an IDL rating of 35lb can show variations in range of 34 to 36.

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