Latex Foam Mattress Vs. Spring

Choosing the mattress that suits you best.

Latex foam mattresses are increasingly gaining popularity in the American market, although in Europe, latex foam mattresses have been very popular for many years. The forward-looking technology that a latex foam mattress represents, has ultimately established more competition for the traditional spring mattress. A latex foam mattress manufacturing process is different than a coil or spring-based mattress. Furthermore, the technology and materials used in latex foam mattresses are also different.

History

According to The Sleep Guide, the spring mattress was patented in 1865; however, spring mattresses did not go mainstream until the 1930s. Foam mattresses were created in 1966 at NASA's Ames Research Center with the assistance of scientists Chiharu Kubokawa and Charles A. Yost. However, Tempur-Pedic comments that it wasn't until 1991 that foam mattresses were officially introduced to the mainstream market with the "Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress," which was made of latex and foam.

Function

Spring mattresses provide the sleeper a level of flexibility and softness through a layer of comfortable material, which covers the coils underneath it. Latex foam mattresses deliver a precise amount of firmness and pressure thanks to the foam. Ultimately, the foam allows the latex mattress to quickly take its original shape when the person laying on it moves around on the bed.

Features

The latex foam mattress adapts to your sleeping preferences in that you can select from a variety of firmness and softness levels. The firmness and softness of a spring mattress depend on the density and construction of the coils placed beneath the mattress's layer of comfortable material. According to Bestbedguide.com, spring mattresses usually have between 250 and 1,000 coil springs.

Traits

Mattresses made of synthetic or natural latex are breathable; therefore, they keep owners cooler in warm weather and warmer throughout the colder season. However, the benefits of owning a natural latex mattress rather than a synthetic latex mattress are better because natural latex doesn't have polyurethane foam, which is known to have cancer-causing toxins as well as carcinogenic chemicals, which are released into the environment as the mattress is used.

Spring mattresses are prone to absorb fluids, dust and other allergens, and the same applies to synthetic latex mattresses. Ultimately, this sets the ideal environment for dust mites, mildew or mold to thrive. A proactive way to prevent this from happening is purchasing a protective mattress cover.

Considerations

Considering factors such as physical needs, sleeping preferences and budget will help you make a better decision when choosing between a latex foam mattress or spring mattress. For instance, persons who have back problems should examine the form of support each mattress offers for the back, as well as take into account recommendations from their health-care provider or doctor. However, if a person has a tight budget and no back problems, a spring mattress is a reliable choice. In the end, looking at this type of purchase as an investment can be the right approach for comfort and resting purposes, mostly when you consider that humans spend many hours in bed.

References

• Sealy: Mattress Guide
• NASA Spinoff: Forty-Year-Old Foam Springs Back With New Benefits
• Spine Health: How to Evaluate a Mattress
• The Sleep Guide: Who Invented the Mattress
• Mattress Advisor: Latex Mattress Reviews

Resources

• Tempur-Pedic: FAQ
• FAQMattress: Latex Foam History
• Good Night Naturals: Natural Latex
• Best Bed Guide: Mattress Coils--the Core of the Matter