Raise your Mattress I


Note: An Eastern King and a King are the same size. Also, a Double, Standard, and Full are the same size as well.	Note: Waterbed sizes refer to Hardside (wooden railed) Waterbeds only. Softside Waterbeds come in standard mattress sizes

Is a Mattress Important?

Consumer Reports compares shopping for mattresses to buying a car. This is true to some extent, but keep in mind that most people buy a car, and keep it for five to seven years. A good mattress however can last anywhere from 8-25 years. You also spend close to a third of your life sleeping, and hopefully you do not spend near that much time driving. A good mattress can make a substantial difference in your quality of sleep.

How Long Should My Mattress Last?

The length of time a mattress will last can vary greatly depending on the type. A top quality innerspring mattress (mattress with springs) will offer the same comfort and support as it did when new for about eight to eleven years. Foam mattresses however have been known to last much longer, and some latex foam mattresses often last past 25 years.

The Warranty on a mattress is a good way to judge the approximate time the mattress should last, but beware; a pro-rated warranty will not always last as long as the warranty time indicated. (Example: A mattress with a 10 year non pro-rated warranty will usually last longer than a mattress with a 15 year pro-rated warranty) Pro-rated means that the manufacturer will not replace the mattress free of charge, but will pay a portion of the replacement cost.

Why Are Mattresses So Thick These Days?

Because of recent advances in padding and foam technology, it is possible to combine a large amount of padding with a firm, supportive spring unit, and still have the padding and quilting to hold up. As a result, mattresses have become much thicker. In the decades before, if you combined large amounts of the foam with a good, solid spring unit, the padding would pack down relatively quickly, leaving a mattress with a large body impression. But today with the new types of open cell foams, large amounts of padding can change the feel of the mattress, but not the support attained by the springs below.