Different Types of Mattresses

History

• According to TheMattressLink.com, the first primitive beds were used during the Neolithic period, over 10,000 years ago. Egyptian pharaohs were the first to sleep on a raised platform. The Roman Empire saw the introduction of mattresses stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers. They were also the first to discover water beds. The innerspring mattresses that are still common were patented in the 1930s. Modern water beds came about during the 1960s and air beds followed during the 1980s. Foam and pillow-top mattresses were introduced during the early 2000s as luxury beds became increasingly popular.

Function

• Modern mattresses are usually elevated off the floor and made with materials that aren't appealing to bugs. Innovations are always being introduced to offer new mattresses to consumers to improve sleep, health and comfort.

Misconceptions

• Firm mattresses were believed to be the best sleeping surface for people suffering with back pain, but that notion has been dispelled. Mattresses that are somewhere in between firm and soft are the best as they allow the shoulders and hips to sink into the bed while keeping the spine straight.

Types

• Innerspring mattresses contain coils, or springs, within the mattress that adjust to the weight of a person as they sleep or move. There are many kinds of innerspring mattresses available, and even with the newer mattresses on the market they retain over 80 percent of the market, according to BestBedGuide.com.

  Memory foam mattresses adjust to the contours of the body when someone sits or lays on them, however they are slow to expand back to their natural shape making middle of the night adjustments uncomfortable.

  Latex mattresses are similar to foam but they don't take as long to recover.

  Air mattresses and water beds are both available in forms that mock innerspring mattresses. Of course, portable air mattresses are best suited to an occasional guest or camping situations

Features

• Individual mattresses have their own particular features. For example, innerspring mattresses may use one of three different-shaped springs--hourglass, continuous-coil or pocket springs--and each specific model will have a different amount of springs. Many mattresses come with 10-year warranties, however there are specific conditions. Read the label of the mattress you are considering along with the fine print of a contract or sales agreement.

Potential

• Shop for a bed with your partner if you don't sleep alone. Both of you should lay down in various positions on any mattress you are considering. Lay back-to-back to see if you can tell when your partner sits, lays down or gets up, then change positions. This will ensure you get a mattress on which you both are comfortable, and you'll avoid a lot of middle-of-the-night interruptions for each of you too.

Considerations

• Shop around when it's time to get a new mattress, as they aren't cheap. Set a budget before shopping and stick with it. Treat your mattress purchase almost like a car purchase, meaning haggle with the sales person and go somewhere else if they won't make the deal you want. Be reasonable, though, as the mattress sellers aren't going to give their products away either.