Frequently Asked Mattress Questions

 

How long should a mattress last?

A good mattress should last between 8-12 years. Industry average ranges between 7 – 8 years but that number is skewed a bit by two factors. Poor quality beds often fail to maintain their original support and comfort qualities for more than a few years. Other times, the mattress is replaced sooner simply because it was never the right bed in the first place. The later is the most unfortunate; especially when a large number of manufacturers offer comfort guarantees that can range from complete reimbursement to partial credit with a restocking fee.

How much should a mattress cost?

Ideally, you want the most comfort and support you can reasonably afford to invest. That does not mean you need to take out a second mortgage to get a good night’s sleep. In fact, there are many great values under $1,000 that offer exceptional support and comfort. There are also amazing high end latex, memory foam and hybrid mattresses that can run several thousand dollars that are also “good values”. An individual who has sustained serious injuries, is arthritic or suffers from fibromyalgia my consider this type of price point reasonable if the additional pressure relief results in a better night’s sleep! The bottom line is that it’s all relative to your current health, age, sleep habits and of course… budget.

How many coils should a mattress have?

Coil count is the great mattress shell game consumers have be trying to wrap their heads around for years. First of all, more coil is not necessarily better; especially if inferior coils are used. Other factors such as density of the gauge of steel, number of turns or whether or not the steel is tempered are all relevant to this topic. While generally speaking, it is pretty widely accepted that a standard queen mattress should have a minimum of 650 coils, that number could be more or less depending on the quality of the coil used.

Do I need to buy a new box spring?

Not necessarily. If your existing foundation is solid and shows now signs of structural issues, you may be just fine. Notice we used the term “foundation” not “box spring” which is a less accurate description. Most manufacturers no longer have actual coils used in their construction. Some do use steel as part of the support system while others may be a simple wood box. The better the quality of the foundation, the more likely it will still be functional with your new mattress. Keep in mind, some manufacturers may require you to purchase of a new foundation to keep all warranties in tact.

What do manufacturers warranties cover?

First it is important to touch on the different types of warranties being offered. There are typically 3 used in the mattress industry today. Non prorated, which basically states your warranty coverage remains the same throughout the duration of the term. Prorated warranties, depreciate each year of the term and thus, are the least desirable. Some companies offer a combination of the two where the first 5 or ten years of coverage are non prorated and the remainder of time is prorated on a depreciating scale.

Regardless of the type of warranty, there are industry standards by which a mattress is deemed to be defective. A body impression that exceeds 1.5″ while no one is in the bed is generally considered defective. Although some companies may deviate from this depth, most fall into this range. A certain amount of indentation is to be expected and actually adds to the comfort of the mattress. Normal body impressions, or silhouetting as it is often referred to in the industry, usually occurs early in a beds life cycle but is not a cause for alarm. The depth of the impression is typically measured by running a string along the length of the mattress to measure the actual distance. It is always best to familiarize yourself with a mattresses warranty prior to purchase.

Do I need a mattress protector?

Stains on a mattress can void a warranty so it is strongly recommended to cover your bed with a mattress pad/protector. A waterproof pad is always the best option. In addition to protecting your warranties, it prolongs the life of your bed by keeping it dry and free of skin partials that contribute to the existence of dust mite issues.

What is the best mattress for a back pain?

8 out of every 10 Americans suffer from chronic or occasional back pain. This is the cause of many a restless night. In turn, not getting enough sleep can cause even more pain sensitivity. It’s quite a nasty cycle! The majority of the medical community and sleep specialists agree that a medium firm (sometimes called cushion firm) tends to be best for elevating back pain while sleeping. Firm enough to keep your hips, shoulders and head in proper alignment while not so firm that it creates extra pressure points that can cause additional stress. This feel can be attained with a traditional coil spring bed, a high density memory foam or latex. Spring free mattresses can offer the same degree of firmness with less potential to feel the pressure points sometimes associated with traditional spring beds.