Mattress Terms to Know Before Buying a New Bed

When shopping around for a new mattress, it is important to know mattress terms. A vocabulary lesson might seem odd, but by knowing the lingo you get the bed that suits you best. You’ll know what you want, what you’re getting, and how to ensure you get the most for your money with your new mattress.

General Mattress Terms

There are different types of mattresses, each with its own distinctive terminology. Knowing what kind of mattress you’re looking for will help you determine things like materials, support, pricing, and where you can get them.

Tufted Mattress

A tufted mattress is a mattress that has been tufted, meaning all the materials have been compressed and are held together by an anchor – the tuft. This method is a necessity for mattresses that use natural fibers like cotton, wool, and horse hair. 

Organic Mattress

An organic mattress is a mattress that uses organic materials. This can include wool, cotton, natural talalay latex, and flax. Our organic mattresses are naturally pest and flame-resistant due to their natural materials, so there’s no need to treat them with chemicals. This leads to a more comfortable, healthier sleeping environment.

Traditional Mattress

Traditional mattresses used to be defined by having springs, but now traditional mattresses can have innersprings, memory foam, or be a hybrid of the two. Organic materials are still sometimes used, but you’ll more commonly find synthetic materials like polyurethane foam and latex.

Mattress-in-a-Box

A mattress-in-a-box is any mattress model that is compressed, vacuum-sealed, rolled, and boxed for delivery. You’ll commonly find these offered by online retailers for cheap. However, they have their downsides, including a lack of customization and not being able to test the mattress out first.

Mattress Construction Terms

Whether you’re going to a showroom to get a hand-crafted mattress, or looking up collections online, you should understand the mattress terms related to their construction and utilities.

Base Layer

The base layer is the thick lower layer of a mattress, which is also known as the support core. The base layer is usually made of continuous wire springs or pocketed coil units to support the upper comfort layers. This way your mattress won’t sink excessively, which would make the mattress uncomfortable and even painful to sleep on.

Comfort Layer

The comfort layer is the uppermost layer of the mattress. This is the layer you sleep on directly. It generally determines how soft or firm your mattress will be, along with the thickness of the overall product. Most models use softer materials for cushioning and contouring. If a mattress has more than one comfort layer, manufacturers may refer to the layers as a comfort system. Common materials include memory foam, latex, wool, and fiber.

Insulator Pad

An insulator pad is a compressed pad used as a barrier between the base layer and the comfort layer. This barrier keeps the cushioning layers from compressing into the coils.

Flippable Mattress

Flippable mattresses are mattresses that are usable on both sides. These kinds of mattresses generally have a longer lifespan than non-flippable mattresses as they won’t sag as easily. You can sleep on one side of the mattress, then flip it over to sleep on the other. This allows the used side to decompress so you can sleep on it again without sags or lumps, meaning you won’t have to replace it too soon.

Box Spring

A box spring is a mattress-sized box that goes between the mattress and the bed frame. It’s typically made up of a wooden or metal frame covered in fabric. Inside the frame, springs are evenly spaced throughout, which helps with motion transfer and support. Other benefits a box spring provides include height, sturdiness, protection, and airflow.

Adjustable Base

Adjustable bases are beds that can be adjusted for better angles and height, usually with a remote control or your Smartphone. They can be adjusted to incline your torso or legs, and depending on the size can be adjusted to accommodate the sleeping positions of two separate people. Adjustable bases are also known to make getting out of bed easier, so they’re useful for the elderly, people with mobility issues, and pregnant mothers.

Mattress Shopping Terms

Now that you know what different mattresses are out there and what their components are, it’s time to shop. But there are mattress shopping terms you should be aware of before you sign any checks.

Mattress Warranty

A mattress warranty is like any other warranty; it is guaranteed protection against material and manufacturing defects by the manufacturer. If your mattress has a defect or issue beyond normal wear-and-tear, a warranty will allow the problem to get fixed or replaced. Most mattress warranties last between 5 to 25 years. However, they only apply to the original buyer, so they would not apply to anyone who purchases the mattress secondhand.

Trial Period

Also known as an at-home trial or sleep trial, the trial period lets you try out a mattress in the comfort of your own home. After all, laying on a mattress in a showroom for ten minutes isn’t the same as actually sleeping on the bed for several nights. At Gardner Mattress, the 90-day risk-free trial period gives you the opportunity to properly test your hand-crafted mattress. If you’re not satisfied with your new mattress, you can request a return or exchange within this window.

Break-in Period

The break-in period is the mandatory period mattress sellers give you to break your new mattress in before requesting a return during a sleep trial. It takes time for the body to adjust to sleeping on a new mattress, no matter how customized and high-quality it may be. Typically, the required break-in period is between two weeks and 30 days to ensure sleepers have a chance to adjust before they can properly decide whether or not it’s the right mattress for them.

Mattress shopping can seem intimidating, as this is a piece of furniture you’ll be using every night for years to come. That’s why it’s important to know your mattress terms. When you do, shopping becomes easier and you’ll get the exact mattress you need to get a restful night’s sleep.