Mattress options have changed dramatically in the last 15 to 20 years.  Memory Foam and Latex Mattresses have become quite common and don't cost an arm and a leg anymore (just one or the other).  Inner Spring Mattresses have changed as well as manufacturer's are incorporating new types of foams into the top of mattresses.  It just goes to show that innovation is paving the way to better sleep for all of us.  Below you can find some of the positive and negative qualities of each different kind of mattress available to you today.

Inner Spring Mattress:

Inner Spring Mattresses are the tried and true type of mattress that we have all slept on at some point.  We all grew up with mattresses that poked us with broken springs as children.  These mattresses have started to change to cater to the customer that wants a foam mattress.   Most manufacturers recommend that you use their foundation with their mattress and you may even void a warranty if you don't do it.  The inner springs of these mattresses consist of hundredsof wires of different gauges spun into coils.  Most coils are then topped with some kind of foam or quilting to give a softer feel.  These mattress sets should last 5 to 10 years with normal use.  Most people find spring mattresses uncomfortable when compared to water beds or foam mattresses.  Standard inner spring designs often cave or hammock in the middle of the bed after a few years of use.

Water Bed:

Water reduces the pressures on the body that is caused by a standard spring mattress.  Sleeping on water gives proper spinal allignment and decreases the pain caused by the pressure of a standard mattress.  Water mattresses were the first kind of conforming mattresses.  Heaters can be used to warm up the water in the beds and relieve stress and muscle tension.  The main problem with a water bed is the potential for a huge mess!  A simple puncture can lead to your bedroom turning into a pond.  The other main problem with water beds is that if you have a partner that shares the bed with you, their movement can cause a wave and wake you.

Air Mattress:

Air mattresses provide different firmness options based on the amount of air that is blown into the mattress.  Each side of the bed can be set to a different level of firmness that would cater to the person that sleeps on that side.  This level of customization is not normally available in any other type of bed.  The conforming provided by an air bed is similar to the effects of a water bed.  The original Select Comfort Air Mattress costs a lot of money.  New technology has been introduced into this field of bedding and better mattresses can be found pretty easily.  Air mattresses contain many interior parts that can, and often do, break.  The companies that offer these beds normally provide very limited warranties and a lot of fine print.  These beds can easily hammock like a spring mattress over time and lead to an uncomfortable sleeping surface.  This is one that you should definitely try before you buy.

Memory Foam Mattress:

Memory Foam was introduced to the world by NASA.  The swedish bedding company we all know was the first to introduce this type of bed to the retail arena.  The original company charges a premium for their line of beds while other companies are offering more innovative and less expensive options every day.  Memory Foam has been designed to offer pressure relief and is still used in medical situations where a person is confined to a bed to relieve pressure sores.  No two memory foams are alike and they can vary greatly from one manufacturer to another.  Be sure that you are comfortable with a company before you purchase this type of mattress from them.  Memory Foam is not a natural product, it is a polyeurethane foam.  Memory Foam can have a very funky odor to start with and some people find it extremely offensive.

Latex Mattress:

Latex beds offer similar pressure relief when compared to memory foam and it is a natural surface.  Most companies offer organic covers for these mattresses for someone looking for a natural bed.  Natural latex is not nearly as resilient as Talalay or Dunlop latex and normally will only last about 5 years before breaking down.  Talalay latex is the more involved process used to creat latex foam for a mattress and is the most resilient.  Latex gives a bouncy feel to your bed, after all it is rubber.  Like memory foam, latex varies greatly depending on the manufacturer.  Do your homework and make sure that your latex mattress is of the highest quality possible and it should last you forever.

This information should help you choose which bed is for you.  Contact us with any questions and I'd be happy to clarify and answer your questions.