Frequently asked questions about bying a bed or mattress
The right mattress to suit your posture is essential for a good night's sleep to rest your body in order to awake well rested, fresh and rejuvenated so you can live a healthy and productive day.
A mattress can cost anything from R 600.00 up to R 10,000.00 and more, so it makes sense that you should be sure of your requirements and available budget before you make the investment.
Don't rush into the purchase and you could sleep happily for many years.
What should i look for when buying a bed or mattress?
Since we spend about a third of our lives in bed, selecting the right bed is very important.
Your bed is the most important and prominent piece of furniture in your bedroom, so choose a bed type that will serve both your personal needs, requirements and reflect your style.
Are you looking for a low cost bed to put in an extra bedroom, or a quality, statement bedset to be a stylish centrepiece in the main bedroom?
Make sure you have the available space in your bedroom for the size bed that you want.
Once you have decide which type of bed/mattress you want - you'll be ready to start shopping.
Compare the attributes each mattress offer to decide which mattress fulfils your needs best.
What types of mattresses are available and what differentiates them?
We list the six main types available, though you may not find a definite distinction between them as mattresses are increasingly made from a mixture of materials.
1. The Continuous Coil Mattress
This is the oldest spring design in bed mattresses and is the lowest cost mattresses made from a single looped wire. Since the springs thus all move as one unit, you are more likely to get disturbed by your partner moving around during the night. The coils in this mattress wear out much quicker than other types of spring mattresses, so you're likely to eventually end up rolling together in the centre of the mattress.
2. The Open Coil Mattress
This is an improved design and is widely used by most manufacturers. It consists of single springs, such as Bonnel springs, fixed together with wire and is a higher quality mattress. The different thickness and hardness of these springs that is used, offers support from light to heavy persons. This design allows you to be less disturbed by your moving partner during the night.
3. The Pocket Spring Mattress
This mattress is generally more expensive to manufacture. Consisting of many smaller springs sewn together in individual fabric pockets to provide better support of your body, as each coil absorbs applied weight individually. Pocket spring mattresses are good if you sleep on your side and if your partner moves around during the night, you are less likely to feel the movement.
4. The Memory Foam Mattress
The memory foam or Visco-Elastic Memory Foam mattress is good for relieving pressure on painfull joints and is usually more expensive than spring mattresses. It is manufactured with different layers of high density specialised foam to form the supporting core and then topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive visco-elastic or memory foam. The memory foam reacts to your body heat and moulds to your body's shape. Air circulation is reduced around your body, which makes the mattress feel warmer in winter and perhaps too hot in summer. Memory foam mattresses offer disturbance free sleeping when your partner moves around during the night.
5. Pure Foam or Latex Mattress
Any foam mattress can be a good option if you are allergic to house and/or dust mites as the density and being solid does not allow for mites to live therein. The new age foam mattress have developed rapidly as a result of space travelling and now offers some of the best mattresses you can buy. Foam mattresses offer disturbance free sleeping when your partner moves during the night.
6. Mattress Toppers
Is a layer of memory foam or extra padding added to your exsisting mattress. Another variant is the Convolute (egg crate pattern) topper provides more cushion, absorbs physical stress and provid better weight distibution. It is alsow used by hospitals as bedding material that reduces the risk of decubites ulcers, or bedsores. Mattress toppers can however be as expensive as buying a new mattress and will not provide more support if your mattress is already sagging.
Why is Visco-elastic or Memory Foam such an ideal substance for a mattress?
Quality sleep and rest is achieved through the reduction of stress on the body, particularly on the pressure points. Memory Foam elastically adapts to your individual curvature, offering high levels of both support and comfort. It also comes in a diverse range of densities, which – when combined in a composite – makes for an effective and durable mattress. Foam is considered hypo-allergenic, and does not support the proliferation of bed bugs and other bacteria.
Which level of firmness is best for me?
There is no right or wrong answer.
You may have always believed that you prefer a firm bed until you try a softer one, or vice versa.
Try Before You Buy - Try all the variants and choose the mattress that offers you the most comfort and support.
By spending 5 minutes each on your back, both sides and stomach if it is one of your sleeping positions, you should have had enough time to determine if the mattress is right for you.
If you sleep with a partner, you should try it out together.
If you can’t find a comfortable position to lie in, move on to the next mattress.
How do i ensure a good balance of firmness with comfort?
If you usually lie on your stomach, you would probably prefer a softer mattress.
If you sleep on your back, a firmer mattress would be better.
You will sink into a too-soft mattress; or roll into the middle and putting strain on your muscles.
A mattress that’s too firm though, will not mould to your body at all.
Once again the only way to be sure is to Try Before You Buy for a few minutes before you decide which mattress to buy.
If you a share a bed with someone, shop together and lying side by side, one partner shouldn’t roll towards the other.
When one of you gets up, the other shouldn’t feel any motion, either.
Will my sleeping position affect my mattress choice?
Weather you sleep on your back, side or stomach, the correct mattress should be comfortable and support your whole body while keeping your spine aligned.
It should be firm enough to offer posture support and be comfortable while conforming to the shape of your body. If you can’t find a comfortable position to lie in, move on to the next mattress.
Does the mattress keep my spine properly aligned?
Sleeping posture is the most important consideration.
The mattress should allow your hips and shoulders to sink slightly while still supporting your waist to ensure that your spine is kept straight.
Will the mattress support my weight?
If you are a heavier person, you will need a mattress that provides more support to keep your spine aligned.
Make sure that the mattress will keep your spine aligned perfectly the whole night.
Is the mattress firm enough?
If you have difficulty rolling over, the mattress is probably too soft.
If the mattress is to firm, you will feel pressure against your hips and shoulders.
Lie on your back and try to slide your hand under the small of your back. If your hand slides in to easily, the mattress may be too firm.
Does the mattress evenly distribute pressure?
A good mattress should evenly distribute pressure under the body and by preventing any uncomfortable pressure points, circulation is improved while sleeping and results in less tossing and turning for a better sleep and rest.
Does the size of my bed or mattress affect my sleep?
Yes, especially if you share your bed.
The larger the mattress, the less likely you are to disturb one another during the night.
Size means width as well as length – which should be 10 – 15 cm longer than the tallest sleeper.
The general rule of thumb is to buy the biggest bed you can fit into your bedroom.
People often forget that they need to leave enough room to open cupboards, windows, and even the door.
What should i finally ask from the store before a bed or mattress?
Will the bed be placed on a sale at a reduced price soon?
Does the price include a mattress?
What is the case if i can get the same bed at a lower cost elsewhere?
Are there any delivery cost to be added?
Could you remove my old bed and if so, at what cost?
What does the bed's guarantee and warranty cover and for how long?
Will the bed be supplied fully assembled or will there be assembly needed?
Does the bed come with a headboard?
How soon can it be delivered?
Summarize of how to avoid the common mistakes people make when choosing a bed
Try before you buy
When shopping for a new bed, wear comfortable clothing and remove your outdoor gear. Lie on a mattress for at least 15 minutes, in positions that you normally sleep in. If you share a bed, remember to bring your partner with you.
Don't be influenced or persuaded by the salesman
Only you can decide whether a mattress is comfortable for you.
Take care when choosing unbranded products
Buy a reputable make and from a trusted supplier.
Don't make price your primary decisive factor
A more expensive mattress is not necessarily the best for your requirements and posture.
