Types of Foam Mattress Toppers
There are two types of foam mattress toppers: memory foam, which is composed of a visco-elastic material and latex, which is made from the sap of the rubber tree and is, therefore, organic. Both memory foam and latex mold themselves to the body, which helps relieve pressure points and soothes sore joints. Although memory foam and latex appear to be very similar, there are subtle differences. Does this Spark an idea?
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Memory Foam
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Memory foam was developed by a Swedish company for NASA. It evenly distributes body weight, and some consumers report that it helps soothe joint pain. Memory foam mattress toppers adjust to the shape of an underlying mattress, which means they will eventually adjust to that shape, even if the mattress is old and lumpy.The quality of memory foam mattress toppers vary considerably, depending on the thickness and density of the topper. Memory foam helps to minimize movement while sleeping because it adapts itself to body contours and also responds to body heat, making it warm in winter. However, some people find it too hot and uncomfortable during the summer months.
Latex
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Latex mattress toppers are popular because they are hot in winter and cooler in summer, due to their organic compound. A 100-percent latex topper is biodegradable, which makes it a good eco-choice. Latex springs back into shape more quickly than memory foam, which makes if preferable for people who like to move around in bed. Latex is resistant to dust mites and bacteria, which helps asthma and allergy sufferers, although some people are allergic to latex. These toppers are available in 100-percent natural or synthetic blends.
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Longevity
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Memory foam mattress toppers don't last as long as memory foam mattresses because the cells underneath crumble more quickly.. Depending on the quality, a visco-elastic topper will last between 18 to 36 months. Visco-elastic toppers with a thickness of 3 to 4 inches are better quality and will last longer. Latex toppers are more durable. Synthetic blends last longer than pure latex but even the latter can last up to 20 years.
Comparisons
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People who are overweight will put more strain on a memory foam mattress topper and may find it more uncomfortable than latex. Some people report that memory foam has a chemical smell when it is new, although this soon disappears. Latex is more expensive than memory foam because of its durability.
Orthopedic Considerations
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While some people report that latex and memory foam mattresses alleviate back pain, there is no scientific evidence. Although many claims are made for mattress toppers, the website Orthopedic Mattresses points out that it is “highly unlikely that a topper can add any genuine orthopedic characteristics to a mattress.” If you suffer from back pain, bear in mind that even a good quality topper cannot compensate for a sagging mattress.
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References
- Photo Credit woman sleeping image by forca from Fotolia.com
