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Latex Vs. Polyurethane Foam

Modern mattresses are made from a number of different materials that serve different functions. For comfort, many mattresses use a foam layer, consisting of either latex foam or polyurethane foam.
  1. Mattress Foam

    • Foam is wrapped around the hard structural center of the mattress. This layer serves some structural purposes but is mostly geared toward making the mattress comfortable.

    Polyurethane Foam

    • Polyurethane foam is produced from polyol and isocyanide. The substance is less expensive to produce, but is not as durable. Because of its chemical composition, it produces toxic gases if exposed to flames.

    Latex Foam

    • Latex foam is produced from tree sap. The substance is more durable than polyurethane foam, but more expensive. When exposed to flame, latex foam produces a smoke containing unburned carbon.