Tag Archives: heat retention

Memory Foam Pad | What You Should Know Before You Buy

If you have never tried using memory foam pads or mattresses, now is a good time to get one and try it out. Prices have fallen and manufacturing technology has improved to the point where safety and comfort levels are easily made to overlap in a memory foam pad. However if you are new to memory foams here are a few essentials you need to know before you buy.

Density matters:

This is perhaps one of the most important criteria that will determine the comfort and durability of the memory foam pad. Higher density foams have much better durability and make a world of difference in the support they give. Just remember though that too much of a good thing can be bad too. If you stick to density ratings between 3-5lbs/cubic foot you should be okay. Go for the higher end of this rate if you are above average weight.

Remember many vendors will not advertise the density rating of their foams if it is of low density. So be wary of this and ask for the density.  You can also calculate the density on your own by dividing the total weight with the total volume of the memory foam pad if you wish just make sure the units are converted into pounds/foot.

Ventilation:

In warmer places normal memory foam pads can be a problem due to its highly insulating property resulting in heat retention. Open celled structures which provide adequate ventilation of air within the foam clears this issue in most cases. Therefore it is a good idea to look for enhanced ventilation in the memory foam if you do live in warmer climates.  While for those living in higher up in the north this presumed liability can be a huge asset.

Odor:

Be warn that memory foam pads or for that matter any memory foam product does have a smell that most people do not like. This smell disappears in a few days when allowed to air out. Placing it in an airy open space can speed the airing out process.

Quality:

It is a good idea to buy better quality foams, but just remember that good quality foams do not necessarily have to be highly priced. The trick to finding a good quality memory foam pad is to look for their reviews online and read up on them even if you intend to buy it from your local brick and mortar vendor. Going online to buy, can increase your options to a huge selection of different type of memory foam pad and at very competitive prices.

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How To Make Your Memory Foam Mattress Pads Last

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

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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5 Reasons To Buy Twin Memory Foam Mattress Online

Twin memory foam mattresses are perhaps the best options when it comes to using memory foams beds. These types of mattresses offer both practical support and effective ventilation to deal with heat retention. Here are some reasons why you should consider buying them online.

Lower Costs:

Online vendors do not face the overhead charges that a usual brick and mortar vendor would entail in running their business. Also usually these online vendors buy from manufactures as when they need them therefore saving in storage costs as well, in fact many manufactures sell their products directly to customers through online. All these factors and savings are usually passed on to the customer making the prices very competitive.

More options:

Going online gives you to access a much larger number of vendors for twin memory foam mattress or for that matter any other memory foam products. If you choose to go with your local store your options would be limited to products that the vendor has in-stock but going online you have access to any product that is being produced.

Shipping charges:

Many online vendors offer free shipping charges for twin memory foam mattresses and even those that do not will have options where you can earn free shipping charges by helping out in giving reviews, filling out surveys etc.

Return policy:

Almost all online vendors for twin memory foam mattresses have a return policy for their products and will offer guarantees which they will honor.

Safety:

Buying online with credit cards has the additional safety of being able ask for a chargeback and to dispute a transaction if you feel you have been cheated on the quality of the twin memory foam mattress you bought. Repeated charge backs do greatly impede the ability of the vendors to do business online. Also reputation matters so much more online therefore shopping online is very safe.

Precautions:

Going online to shop for twin memory foam mattress or for that matter any other products requires that you follow some basic guidelines to shop safely. Here are a few tips to keep your shopping experience a pleasurable one.

  • Look for accreditation for example accreditation from BBB (Better Business Bureau).
  • Check for security measures for example VeriSign , Thawte etc
  • Check customer reviews on the product (here check for twin memory foam mattress reviews).
  • Check for customer complains about the business which should be available on BBB, iVouch, BizRate or others if the business is reputable and are recognized by these various bodies.

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