BUYING A NEW BED?

 

REPLACE A TIRED BED

When a bed is no longer providing support and comfort, it affects the quality of our sleep.  People are often unaware that their bed may be one of the reasons why they are not sleeping well.

It may be time for a new mattress if:-

•  You wake up with aches and pains which wear off as the day progresses.
•  You are not sleeping as well as you did a year ago
•  You enjoy sleep somewhere other than your own bed
•  Your mattress shows signs of visible wear and tear

There are literally thousands of beds from which to choose and no such thing as the perfect type of bed for a particular condition or situation (e.g. one ideal bed for a back pain sufferer

 

HOW TO CHOOSE A NEW BED

 

What sort of style do you prefer?

Do you prefer a firmer or softer feel?

Always shop for the best value not the lower priced beds available. But the better the construction, the better the support and comfort and the longer the bed will last

You should be able to lay side by side with your arms behind you head and you elbows out without touching

Your bed should be 4-6” (10-15cm) longer than the tallest partner

It can be a false economy to change only the mattress and keep the original base especially if you are buying a divan. The old base could reduce the useful life of the new mattress as well as the support and comfort it can offer.  It could also invalidate manufacturer’s warranties or guarantees.

 

 

SHOPPING FOR A NEW BED

There is no substitute for lying on mattresses when selecting the right one for you, you should try several beds without time and pressure, wear comfortable clothes and lie on the bed for at least 10 minutes.  Adopt your normal sleeping position and lie on your side as well as your back, A comfortable bed is a bed offering the right support for you. As a general rule, the heavier you are, the firmer the tension you will need.  You don’t necessarily need a hard bed if you have a bad back.  Your aim is to achieve good “posture” in bed, ideally the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive.  When you lie on your side your spine should be horizontal. You should be able to turn easily

 

TYPES OF MATTRESS

Mattresses may look broadly similar but the differences are vast, the ticking needs to be tough and tear resistant. Quilting is a decorative effect attaching the outer fabric to the surface fillings; these mattresses tend to have a smoother, flatter surface. Tufting where tapes are passed right through the mattress at regular intervals and secured each side by tags or washers prevents loose fittings when being dislodged

 

INSIDE A MATTRESS

Spring interior, open coil or sprung

Springs are arranged in rows and connected to one another top and bottom, they come in a choice of tensions priced from budget to mid range. Continuous springs are a single length of wire knitted into a series of interwoven springs, the gauge of wires used is softer and the size of the coils smaller then open coil, giving a higher spring count and a more responsive feel generally priced in the mid market. Pocket springs – are small, softer springs housed in individual fabric pockets allowing them to work independently of one another profiting on the body shape to prevent pressure points. Pocket springs are generally more expensive than other types of unit and are used mainly in higher quality products. Different filings have specific functions: – Cotton – often used near the surface for its ability to breathe moisture Wool- Naturally fibre resilient fibre, creating a luxurious feel with good fibre redundancy it is also breathable.  Foam – different types of foam are used for cushioning effect.  Polyester – a synthetic material with good recovery properties. Hair – highly resilient fibre often available in pads or loose for high luxury. Coir fibre pads made from coconut fibre are generally used next to the spring to insulate and prevent the spring being felt or penetrated. Silk, cashmere, mohair and other fine natural fibres are also used for additional luxury mattresses fillings will settle and compress over the first few months of use. Turning regularly will help even out this settlement.

Non sprung mattress - Foam made from layers of different densities of foam they are particularly suitable for use with slatted bases and adjustable beds Latex - A premium quality materiel resilient feel is very durable anti-microbial properties that offer benefits to many allergy sufferers. Latex foam has natural elasticity and recovers its shape immediately when pressure is removed. It also has very good point elasticity resulting in even distribution of pressure for independent support. Viscous elastic -a relatively new type of polyurethane foam (also commonly known as memory foam) worth a unique feel it responds to body temperature and weight taking the shape of the user – slowly recovers its original shape when the heat and pressure is removed it has good pressure relieving properties and is available in a variety of qualities and densities Polyurethane – a synthetic, petroleum based foam with performance and price varying according to density and quality. It is widely used and very versatile

Floatation beds - a water filled vinyl mattress, supports determines by the amount of water used and the level of motion can also be varied. Waterbeds are known for their pressure free support and are also good for allergy sufferers.  Futons are usually made from layers of cotton or fibre wadding, which moulds itself to the shape of the body. Budget priced sofa beds with slatted convertible frame.

Types of Base-Remember to ensure that mattress are suitable for use together, especially if you are buying them separately

Divans. Essentially an upholstered box fitted with castors for mobility or on legs to create space beneath. Deep divans are often fitted with useful storage drawers. Sprung edge divans feature a complete open coil or pocket sprung unit mounted on a frame. Considered the most luxurious option they provide even support across the whole mattress and act like a giant shock absorber increasing the mattress durability. Sprung edge divan- solid or platform top divans have a rigid, non-sprung top panel often made from hardboard. Beds with these bases are generally firmer as well as cheaper than beds with sprung bases. Firm edge divans generally feature a smaller number of larger heavy duty springs within a rigid wooden sided frame. Flexible slatted divans use laminated soft woods mounted in a frame creating a modest level of springiness.

Storage – Look for the blue and white FR label All beds sold in theUK should meet fire safety regulations introduced in 1988 which require all foams to be combustion modified and the composite of springs, fillings and cover in each mattress and base to be cigarette and match flame resistant. These precautions have saved hundreds of lives. Beware some imported products which do not always meet the standards required, even though they may be labelled correctly.

Adjustable Bases

Chose a bed with high lines, it will be easier to get in and out of.