Making a Mattress Comparison

The decision to begin mattress-shopping may seem simple and upfront, but you may easily find yourself overwhelmed by the many options available in the components of your new mattress. Let’s examine a few of them and compare the differences.

Tufted vs. Non-Tufted

There are several finishing options to choose from in your mattress. You may consider a solid foam mattress which has only one “piece,” or is the same material from top to bottom. However, this may create a mattress which is too firm for the majority of consumers. Conversely, if it is a cheaply manufactured foam mattress, it will break down sooner and offer no support. After having spent money on a poorly-made mattress, you will find yourself having to go through the process all over again to replace it.

Multi-layer mattresses provide a more thorough support system for your back, but range in quality based on how they are held together. Frequently, manufacturers will simply use adhesives to hold the layers together, and the inner components will eventually shift or break apart.

Tufted mattresses are manufactured in a way which resists long-term compression and internal breakdown. A tufted mattress firmly holds the inner layers together, from the top layer to the bottom. As a result, the layers don’t shift, compress, or fall apart. At Gardner, all of our tufting is done by hand, so you’re getting top quality craftsmanship.

Latex vs. Memory Foam

Latex mattresses are gentle on allergies and a wonderful option if you suffer from allergies. Allergies are frequently aggravated by dust mites taking up residence in your mattress, and a foam mattress provides an environment in which they can’t survive. Foam mattresses can help you sleep healthier, as they are naturally resistant to mold and mildew, which can grow simply from the moisture our bodies let off while we sleep.

Customers frequently believe that latex mattresses sleep “hot,” but this is usually because they’ve mistaken latex foam for memory foam. Simply put, memory foam does not circulate air the way natural fibers or organic materials do. If you tend to sleep hot, consider mattress components that wick away moisture and help it evaporate. Again, retaining moisture is one factor which will aggravate allergies.

Innerspring vs. Pocketed Coil

The internal springs of a mattress also have an impact on your rest. Innerspring coils have been the traditional manufacturing go-to for years. They create a firmer mattress by pushing back against you and are considered exceptionally supportive. Innerspring coils tend to create a bouncier mattress; that is, if two people are on the bed and one person gets up, their movement out of the bed will be felt more significantly.

Mattresses with pocketed coils give off less motion transfer. Pocketed coils also contour the body more, so while they are also very supportive, a pocketed coil mattress will feel softer or have more “give” than an innerspring mattress.

At Gardner, we custom-build our mattresses, so you can rest assured you are getting the right mattress built of the options best suited to your needs.

Pillowtop vs. Flippable

One of the best ways you can prevent mattress sagging and wear is to regularly flip and rotate your mattress. This is not just an old wives’ tale! A flippable mattress lasts longer because you’re allowing the natural wear to be evenly dispersed. Pillowtop mattresses are constructed in a different manner because, unlike a flippable mattress, they are not constructed in a symmetrical way.

Because the bottom is the base upholstery and the top is designed as a comfort layer, pillowtop mattresses cannot be flipped. Still, you can rotate them – and it’s recommended that you do. Whether you flip, rotate, or both, plan on doing this twice a year to help keep your mattress – and your back – in top notch condition.

Alternately, if you prefer a flippable mattress but want the extra comfort of a pillowtop, consider adding a mattress pad. While a pillowtop is a permanent piece of the mattress, a mattress pad is a removable layer, so you can rotate, flip, and put the mattress pad right back on.

Quilted vs. Non-Quilted

Quilting is a method of keeping the top layers of the mattress firmly stitched together. The difference is that quilting is somewhat aesthetic, as quilting involves lines and rows of stitching and doesn’t go all the way through the mattress, like tufting does. The “which is better?” comparison is largely a matter of personal preference. Ultimately, if your mattress has multiple layers, it absolutely must have some form of durable binding to keep the upper comfort layers from falling apart and shifting to the bottom.

Which Mattress is Right for Me?

The only person who can answer this question is you! At Gardner Mattress, we welcome and encourage you to compare and test the differences in your available options. This is the best way to be satisfied with your new mattress for years to come.

Nobody wants to drop a lot of money on a new mattress which falls apart quickly, hurts their back, or disrupts their sleep. That’s the reason you’re shopping for a new mattress now! At Gardner, we custom-build our mattresses, even down to the size and shape, so if you have a unique bedframe which makes mattress fitting difficult, we can help.

Whatever your needs, preferences, and specifications are, we’re here for you. Contact us today if you’re ready to explore what we have to offer. We want to ensure that the best rest of your life is in front of you.