Mattress glossary: what’s in a mattress?

Mattress glossary: what’s in a mattress?

Are terms like compression, density, gauge or memory foam unfamiliar to you? Are you about to shop for a new mattress and you want to do so armed with knowledge? Here is our little glossary to help you with your shopping.

Mattress glossary

Bed bugs :

The bed bug is a pest measuring a few millimeters that can infect your bed. Don’t worry- there are ways of eliminating them. See our article on bed bugs here.

Boxspring:

The function of the boxspring is to give added support the mattress.

Compression:

Compression is a measurement of how soft or firm the mattress is. The scale ranges from 13.6 to 83.3 lbs.

Density:

The density of a mattress relates to its mass per volume. The higher the density, the higher the quality and durability. Please note: The more weight on the mattress, the higher the density should be in order to prolong the lifespan of the mattress.

Fibers:

The fibers are one of the cushioning materials that play a key role in comfort and insulation, including protecting you from the heat and moisture given off by your body while you sleep.

GA (gauge):

Gauge, or GA, measures the size of the springs and corresponds to the diameter of the steel wire component.

High Resilience Foam:

The high resilience foam (HR) is a cold foam whose cell structure makes it easy to absorb moisture. It’s a material that breathes very well.

Latex foam:

Latex foam, much like memory foam, moulds to the form of your body. Latex foam is a good choice for people with allergies.

Mattress pad:

The mattress pad is thick piece of fabric that lies on top of the mattress for optimum comfort and durability.

Memory Foam:

Memory foam is a pressure and temperature sensitive material that moulds to the shape of an individual’s body.

Mites:

Mites are microscopic arachnids invisible to the naked eye. Dust mites do not cause skin problems, but they can cause or enhance respiratory problems, allergies and conjunctivitis.

Polyurethane foam:

Polyurethane foam provides a stable, firm and even support. One of its advantages is to minimize the transfer of movement from one side of the bed to the other.

Slats:

The slats are used to reinforce the bed frame and provide good support to the mattress.

Springs:

The springs are resilient structures that frequently consist of hardened steel. Springs are used in the composition of the mattresses because they bounce back to their original shape after having pressure on them. Since there are several types, let your consultant know about your specific needs so that he or she can help you find the spring best suited to your sleeping conditions.

Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions!