mattress1982

Mattress Quality Ratings

April 19, 2011 by mattress1982

Wondering about mattress quality ratings? Is there such a thing?

Back pain, fatigue and a sagging mattress all indicate it is time for a new mattress. Many people dread making this purchase because of the time, expense and confusion that can be involved. There is plenty of information available about how to buy a mattress that can cut through the uncertainty. If you’ve decided it’s time to replace your mattress the first step is to take a mattress review to find out what’s available.

Innerspring Mattress

Innersprings are popular because they cost less and offer a variety of options. For some, the answer to how to buy a mattress is simply to find the one that is least expensive. For others, improvements like pocket coils and no flip models are an enticement. But according to one mattress review the drawbacks of innersprings not being able to comparison shop and the rapid rate at which they sag and wear out.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are made with layers of foam glued to a polyurethane base. Most consumers are not sure how to buy a mattress that is foam filled. In many mattress reviews, the pros were reported as better support, the ability to isolate motion and durability. Cons included heat retention, too much firmness and discomfort for larger people.

Airbed Mattress

Air mattresses adjust to give individual support for each sleeper. They also tend to have a longer life span than other mattresses. Disadvantages include expense, comfort level and the sides of the bed being too soft to sit on.

Mattress Cost

Here are a few ideas how to obtain a mattress without spending more than necessary. Consider buying at discount stores, such as Costco or other reasonably priced retailers. Exercise patience and wait for a sale but beware of so called “blowout sales” that are not truly a bargain. Learn to negotiate to get the best price possible. Don’t be pressured into upgrading to a mattress that has features that you don’t really need.

Mattress Scams

Learn how to buy a mattress without being taken advantage of. Manufacturers make identical mattress with a few cosmetic changes on the outside. Retailers give the mattresses different names to give the impression they are selling several unique lines that cannot be found in other stores. This tactic does not allow the customer to comparison shop. Avoid this scam by buying a mattress based on what’s inside rather than the name.

Do as much research as possible about mattress grades, coils, materials and levels. At the store, ask what components are inside of the mattress. The level of the mattress is found on the tag; even over the phone you can ask for the level before going into the store. Many times cushiony padding is placed on top of the mattress when it is on display. Test drive the mattress for a few weeks from the comfort of your bedroom and don’t hesitate to use the “money back guarantee” if the mattress doesn’t live up to its claims.

Mattress Trends

There are many changes in the mattress industry in recent years. Specialty mattresses, such as foam and air, are becoming more popular. Eco friendly, adjustable and homeopathic mattresses are in vogue all around the globe; including mattresses infused with essential oils. And the old standby, the futon, is making a comeback with plusher fabrics and more variety of styles than in years past.

Is There An Official Rating of Quality for Mattresses?

Not that we could find. Consumer Reports has some solid advice on choosing a mattress and a big section with video too, but they don’t rate individual mattresses.

Yelp has a category for many cities called Mattresses, where you can read reviews of various local mattress stores. Be careful to see that there are enough reviews that you are getting a good idea about the store, and not just reviews from a couple of very happy or very unhappy people.

Did we miss anything? Leave a comment and let us know, so that we can continue to improve this page.

Mattress Joiner

April 18, 2011 by mattress1982

Need a mattress joiner, or wonder what one is?

There is no need to panic when trying to arrange for extra sleeping space for friends and family members that come to visit. Choosing a mattress for overnight company to sleep on is as simple as pushing two twin beds together. This is a quick, inexpensive way to make a comfortable king size bed from mattresses that you already own. A mattress joiner converts twin beds without having to purchase or rent a larger bed. It takes the guesswork out of answering the dilemma of what is the best mattress for your guests when they visit.

Foam Bridge Mattress Joiner

If you are having trouble choosing a mattress joiner that is inexpensive and easy to install, look for a foam bridge connector. The bridge is a lightweight strip that comfortably converts twin beds into a king bed. It is made from hypo-allergenic foam that is placed over the seam where the two mattresses meet. The underside of the strip has a lip, or wedge, which fills in the gap between the mattresses.

What is the best mattress style that works with a bed bridge? All styles will work with the bridge but it is recommended that each twin bed be the same thickness in order to avoid lumps or ridges in the area where the mattresses meet. A separate strap can be purchased separately to prevent the strip from slipping out of place.

Connector Belt Mattress Joiner

The connector belt mattress joiner is a flexible strip that slips over the space between the mattresses and along their sides. The belt is made of a washable material similar to sheepskin. Installation takes just a few minutes; which is an important consideration when choosing a mattress joiner. Once the joiner is in place the beds are secured with a buckle that securely snaps the belt shut. The belt is 8 inches wide to seamlessly fill in the gap so the beds do not separate during the night.

Connector belts are also available in 12 inch wide strips to allow you to decide on what is the best mattress joiner for your pillow top or plush mattress. The strap adjusts all the way up to the length of twin extra long mattresses (80”) size. Once the belt is in place a mattress pad can be placed over the top of both mattresses. Some people use this type of mattress joiner to provide a permanent king size bed in their home when twin beds are no longer needed. This saves the time and expense of choosing a mattress from scratch.

Combination Mattress Joiner and Pad

If you want to make sure you are getting a mattress joiner that is easy to install, this is the connector to buy. It comes complete with the bridge, the wedge and the padding in one piece. The two inch thick pillow top quilted pad covers the surface of both beds. It is made from urethane foam. The wedge is laminated to the pad and fits between the void between the mattresses. The combination mattress joiner fits beneath fitted sheets. Once it is fitted on the beds, all that is needed are the linens since the mattress pad is included. There is no assembly is required and it is easily removed for cleaning.

Mattress joiners come in a variety of prices and materials. By planning ahead of time you will have an idea of what is the most suitable mattress joiner to meet your needs before you set out to make your purchase.

Negotiate your Next Mattress Purchase Price

April 18, 2011 by mattress1982

Ever wonder if you can negotiate the purchase of a new mattress at a mattress store? Well guess what! You can.

Buying a new mattress for your bed can be very expensive, especially if you are looking to buy a pillow top mattress. People often wait until stores reduce the prices of their mattresses or have a clearance sale. Many people do not know that the price of a mattress is not fixed in stone and that sales people are open to negotiations regarding the price of the mattress. Knowing how to buy a mattress at a great price is something that many people do not know but there are some things that you can do to reduce the price and get a great mattress.

The best mattresses usually cost you more than a thousand dollars if you are looking to buy the box spring as well. However, there are a large number of stores that sell mattresses and they are trying to outsell their competition. Shopping around is always advised as each store would rather have a sale at a lesser price than no sale at all. Do not try to negotiate a price before you have visited several stores to see what the average price is and who has the best mattresses and prices.

Knowing how to buy a mattress means that you must already have a price in your head of what you are willing to spend. When you enter a store knowing what you are willing to pay and what you are not, there is no way that you will end up overpaying for your mattress. Sales people can also tell when a person is firm and when they know it they are willing to negotiate the price because they know you will not buy otherwise.

In some cases, the best mattresses will not be sold at a lower price but knowing how to a buy a mattress like a pro means that you know of other things that they can reduce the price on to make the sale what you want it to be. For example, most mattresses stores will charge you to deliver the mattress if you are unable to transport it yourself. This delivery charge can be anywhere from fifty dollars to one hundred dollars depending on where you live. If the sales person will not reduce the price of the mattress then you could try reducing or eliminating the delivery charge. You may also be able to get a discount on a box spring to go with the mattress. Some stores will throw in other things such as high quality mattress pads and so on. In fact there are some mattress stores that offer deals where if you pay the full price for the mattress you may get a free bed frame or in some cases a free television.

There are so many brands of mattresses on the market today that you can visit a number of different stores and find the same quality mattresses in but with a different name and in some cases with a different price. The key to finding the best price on your mattress is to shop around, know what you are willing to spend and show the sales person that you are not willing to go any higher. If you do this then negotiating the price of your mattress will be simple.

Want to learn more?

Get Rich Slowly has a good article about buying mattresses.

Lifehacker also covers the subject of getting a better deal on a mattress.

USA Today covered the subject of buying mattresses and getting a better price.

ABC News also covered how to buy the best mattress and get a low cost.

Have any tips, or want to share your experiences negotiating? Leave a comment!

Adjustable Beds Are Not Just for Hospitals Anymore

April 18, 2011 by mattress1982

When most people think of adjustable beds, they instantly think of hospital beds. And while a few years ago many of them resembled hospital beds, today’s adjustable beds are more aesthetically pleasing. There are more younger people using adjustable beds today than in the past for a variety of reasons, most commonly because they get a better night’s sleep.

Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Adjustable Bed

Before running out and buying one of the many mattresses on the market, you will need to consider the mattress especially made to fit on an adjustable bed, as not all mattresses will work on them so you will need to research how to choose the right mattress. Remember, when you buy an adjustable bed, you are buying the foundation and it is the mattress you are going to be sleeping on. It is important for your sleep comfort to choose your adjustable bed mattress carefully.

Knowing how these beds work will teach you how to choose a mattress for this type of bed. In most instances the traditional inner spring mattresses will not be a good choice for an adjustable bed as they don’t “give” when the bed folds and could slide out of position on the foundation. This will reduce the sleep quality of the mattress.

You should buy an adjustable bed from a reputable manufacturer with experience in the industry. Many will help you know how to choose a mattress for their style of foundation. You will also want the adjustable foundation that is easily assembled and moved and doesn’t require an engineering degree just to use it. The adjustable bed mattress should provide the same comfort regardless of the position the bed is in.

Tempurpedic now makes an adjustable bed that you might have seen on TV commercials.

Craftmatic is another adjustable bed brand that you are probably familiar with.

And the big name in mattresses, Sealy, also has an adjustable bed line.

Simmons also makes an adjustable bed.

Adjustable Beds: Things to Keep in Mind

Adjustable beds may not be for everyone. If you sleep on your side the bed will likely remain in the flat position, but if you watch television or read a lot in bed, finding the right adjustable bed mattress during your waking hours can make it a good investment provided you know how to decide on the right mattress for this type of bed.

There are many different types of adjustable bed mattresses such as the air filled mattresses, memory foam and adjustable mattresses made especially for them. The key thing to remember when you think about choosing a mattress is that it is going to be on an adjustable base. If the mattress is too rigid, it may not adjust to the same levels as the foundation. Even some of the best mattresses that do adjust properly may not be suited for your individual comfort needs.

When you go the store talk to someone who knows how to choose a mattress for the specific foundation you’re looking to buy, then spend some time lying on the mattress to make sure it’s comfortable for you. Another point when considering how to choose the right mattress should be the warranty.

Regardless of what the sales person may tell you about the bed and the adjustable bed mattress, if the promises are not in writing, it is not part of the warranty. The foundation warranty will typically be different from that of the mattress and probably provided by a separate manufacturer.

Do you own an adjustable bed? If so, tell us about the brand and what you think about it. Did we miss anything important with this post? Leave a comment!

Mattress Dimensions – All You Need to Know

April 14, 2011 by mattress1982

mattressguy — CC Flickr photo courtesy of beigephotos.

Shopping for a new mattress? A good mattress is an investment that should last for years so it is a good idea to learn how to choose a mattress before making that shopping trip. In finding just the right mattress, several things must be considered such as your physical needs, how much you want to spend and mattress size you require. Names, descriptions and the sizes of mattresses are different for each country. The sizes below represent measurements in the United States.

Bunk Mattress Dimensions

A bunk mattress is made to fit upper and lower bunk bed frames. The mattress in small size is well suited for young children but will accommodate an average sized adult in a pinch. The dimensions of a bunk mattress are 39” x 75”. The narrow bunk mattress is used to save a few inches of space and measures 36” x 75”.

Twin Mattress Dimensions

The mattress size called twin is also referred to as “single”. It measures a trim 30” x 75”. Twin beds are a good choice for small guest rooms. Two twin beds are also common when siblings are sharing a room since they don’t take up much space. Another consideration regarding how to choose a mattress is whether linens that fit are easy to find. The twin extra long mattress, which measures 39” x 80”, is one example of a mattress size you may have trouble finding linens that fit properly because of its odd size.

Full

A full size mattress is also known as a double mattress. This mattress size measures 54” x 75” and can accommodate one large adult or else two small adults or children comfortably. The full mattress leaves 27” x 75” of room for each person. It is commonly used in guest rooms as a medium sized bed that allows comfort without taking up too much room.

Queen Mattress Dimensions

Standard queen size mattresses measure 60” x 80”. Two average sized adults can easily have 30” x 80” of room a piece. When obtaining information on this type of mattress you may hear the salesman refer to “California queen” and “Expanded queen” mattresses. A California queen mattress is 60” x 84”; which is 4 inches longer than a standard queen mattress. The expanded queen mattress measures 66” x 80”, making it 6” wider mattress than the standard queen.

King Mattress Dimensions

If a bigger bed suits your taste it is easy to find out how to choose a mattress in a larger size. The standard king size mattress is 76” x 80”. The width of the mattress allows enough room for each sleeper to have 38” of space. This mattress size is not the largest available, however.

California King Mattress Dimensions and Grand King Mattress Dimensions

The California king is more narrow (72”) than the standard king but is longer (84”). The grand king is a whopping 80” x 98”, enough room for very tall or larger people. Linens for all sizes of king mattresses are readily available online and at bed and bath stores across the country.

Custom Size Mattress Dimensions

If you have an oddly shaped room, a very large or tiny room or simply want a unique bed, custom mattresses in all sizes can be tailor made to suit your needs. Many companies offer circular beds, geometric shapes and unique sizes. Take your ideas to the company and they will work with you and help you choose a mattress that will fit in with what you envision for your bed.

Did you find what you were looking for here? Was anything missing or wrong? If so, please leave a comment and tell us so that we can fix this page and make sure it has all of the information you need.