What is a memory foam mattress?

Find the perfect sleep position with memory foam

A memory foam mattress combines a layer of memory foam with springs or support foam. Memory foam provides superior comfort and support for sleepers as it uses your body’s own heat to mould the mattress to your shape with its slow spring-back foam material. Eventually, over time, the mattress will “remember” your preferred sleeping position. Hence the name – memory foam!

Space-engineered technology!

Did you know? NASA invented memory foam! The material is also known as ‘visco-elastic’ and was first developed to counteract the extreme pressure astronauts are faced with while entering or exiting the earth’s atmosphere.

The basic design purpose of memory foam is to improve the safety and comfort of spacecraft cushions. The memory foam mattress consists of layers of foam to create a firm mattress that absorbs, or hugs, the contours of the body. It has an open-cell solid structure that matches the pressure applied against it.

This revolutionary, space-engineered material consists of polyurethane foam with added chemicals, which increase the thickness of the mattress. The natural response of the high-density memory foam to body heat is to soften, and then mould itself to the curves of a sleeping person.

Designed for ultimate comfort and support

Memory foam mattresses are engineered to evenly distribute body weight, allowing for significantly improved balance and support. It also succeeds in reducing friction and pressure on protruding points of the body.

The main benefits of this adjustment to the shape of the human body are that the mattress allows the spine to remain virtually straight when sleeping on your side. This reduces strain on the back, resulting in less muscle tension and reduced sleep-related backache.

A high-density mattress, such as memory foam, offers the owner a longer lifespan because it has better compression ratings. The result is that the mattress does not lose its support. Due to the superior design, manufacturers are confident enough to offer up to a 20-year warranty on a memory foam mattresses.

The benefits of a memory foam mattress

• Reduced motion transfer. Create a personal sleep zone. Memory foam offers a reduced bounce effect when a sleeping person changes position. The benefit is that you will be less likely to be disturbed by the movements of a restless sleeping partner.
• Hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant. Dust mites cannot live in the surface areas of the mattress because it’s a solid block of foam. This can reduce allergy-like symptoms and ensure a cleaner, healthier sleep.
• Superior comfort and support. A good quality memory foam mattress spreads body weight evenly and adjusts to the body’s sleeping shape.
• Pressure point relief. With its even distribution of your weight, the memory foam will help relieve or alleviate aches and pains and provide optimal spinal alignment.

What sleeping position suits a memory foam mattress?

One of the best advantages of memory foam mattresses is that it’s suitable for all sleeping positions. The material will adapt to your sleeping style. So, whether you’re a back sleeper, side sleeper or stomach sleeper, you can trust memory foam with your comfort.

How long does a memory foam mattress last?

The lifespan of this type of mattress will depend on the brand you choose and the mattress use. The better the quality, the longer the durability. The mattress will obviously last longer if it’s not for everyday use (for instance a spare room mattress). The Mattress Warehouse recommends replacing a memory foam mattress every seven years.

How much does a memory foam mattress cost?

The memory foam used to be quite expensive but has since become an affordable option. This is due, in part, to widespread adoption of the mattress, which has become the standard for the modern mattress. We offer great prices on memory foam mattresses. Take a look at some of our mattress sales’ specials on top-of-the-range bed and mattress brands.

What is the difference between a spring and memory foam mattress?

If you grew up in the 70s or 80s, then you probably had an innerspring mattress. This type of mattress has distinct coils that are made from a basic pocket-coil system wrapped in fabric. Spring mattresses are cheaper to manufacture, which is why they are still on the market today. So a spring mattress will be cheaper to buy than a modern memory foam mattress in comparison.

By design, a spring mattress does not adjust to body heat nor to the contours of a sleeping person (unlike the memory foam mattress), which is why some bed manufacturers add a layer of memory foam on top of the spring mattress to allow for extra comfort.

Without this added memory foam, a spring mattress cannot reduce the friction caused by the sleeper’s pressure points, like the shoulders or hips. The spring mattress simply pushes back against the body with the same force the body weight applies to the mattress.

However, spring mattresses are quite durable and can last up to 10 years with the right care. While traditional spring mattresses are definitely a more affordable option for the bedroom, it’s probably not a great long-term investment compared to the modern mattress technology found with the space-age engineered memory foam.

What is the difference between a latex and memory foam mattress?

Both latex and memory foam are responsive to body shape. This is because both types work off the science of heating and cooling where the body’s pressure points meet the foam. The difference comes in the material make-up.

Memory foam has added chemicals that increase the thickness of the mattress. Natural latex mattresses combine foam with either springs or reflex foam. The latex is processed from the rubber tree sap. While the memory foam mattress is known for providing pressure relief and comfort, the latex mattress is known for its durability and natural materials.

Buy a memory foam mattress from The Mattress Warehouse.