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Our time there included afactory tourand a hands-on session where we ‘built’ our own mattresses.
The 3 types of foam used in mattresses
1.
(Thus, it’s often used as a comfort layer or in a pillow top.)
Compounds added to polyurethane during production by different manufacturers of memory foam will affect its viscosity and elasticity.
Thedensity of memory foamwill influence its performance.
Denser foam is more durable, delivers deeper contouring, and isolates motion exceptionally well.
Higher-density memory foam is more likely to trap heat.
Polyfoam doesn’t hug the body as tightly as memory foam, nor does it isolate movement as well.
Polyfoam is either uniform with a smooth, even surface or convoluted with an ‘egg crate’ formation.
Due to its lower density, polyfoam is less likely to retain heat than memory foam.
Its also a more affordable material, commonly found inbudget mattresses.
On the other hand, polyfoam isn’t as durable and supportive as memory foam or latex.
Latex foam
Latex foam comes in two types: synthetic and natural.
Natural latex is created using theTalalay or Dunlopmethod, which affects the feel of the material.
Talalay latex is softer and more breathable, making it suitable for the upper layers of a mattress.
Synthetic latex can be firm or soft, but it’s not as buoyant or breathable as natural latex.
Blended latex foam, which combines synthetic and natural materials, offers a mix of these characteristics.
4 ways foam layers are used in a mattress
1.
This padding is usually memory foam or latex, but other materials like cotton and wool may be used.
Despite their differences, some sleep brands use both of these terms interchangeably.
Memory foam is a popular material for comfort layers because its body-hugging sensation is great for pressure relief.
Its density also makes it effective at isolating motion, which is beneficial for bed-sharers.
To prevent heat retention, memory foam comfort layers are often infused with cooling agents.
Polyfoam is commonly used in the comfort layers of budget mattresses.
Natural latex is often used in the comfort layers of organic mattresses.
It’s more breathable than synthetic foams with a responsive, bouncy feel.
This is helpful for ease of movement but not so much for motion isolation.
Natural latex doesnt mold quite like memory foam, but it will gently cradle your body for pressure relief.
Transition layer
The transition layer is the unsung hero of mattresses.
Dense polyfoam and latex foam work well as transition layers.
Due to its elasticity, memory foam isn’t really used here.
Foundation layer
The foundation layer keeps a mattress stable and promotes proper alignment.
Organic mattresses that dont have pocket coils may use Dunlop latex as a foundation.
Some hybrids have high-density polyfoam rails around the perimeter of the pocket coil layer for reinforced edge support.
Matttress foam FAQs
What is open cell foam?
Thus, it’s used for insulation, packing materials, and even yoga mats.
Are foam mattresses good for hot sleepers?
The general rule for hot sleepers is to avoid all-foam mattresses because of their propensity to trap heat.
However, there are exceptions.
Thebest memory foam mattressesincorporate specialized materials to draw heat away from the surface.
Can a memory foam mattress cause back pain?
If you want a memory foammattress for back pain, look for a medium-firm or firm level of comfort.
A mattress that’s too soft can create more problems than it solves.
