Are foam mattresses good or bad?
The search for a new mattress can be challenging, especially if you have no idea where to start. With an overwhelming array of different types of mattresses and varying opinions on what the best mattress would be, you can quickly feel lost in this maze of options.
Many of us sometimes wonder whether foam mattresses are actually okay or not. In this comprehensive article, we will guide you step by step in choosing the perfect foam mattress. That way, you can make an informed choice.
Why is it important to choose the right foam mattress?
The right mattress supports your body in the right way. Your muscles and joints can relax and recover, and this contributes to your energy levels and mood throughout the day.
Many people underestimate the importance of a good mattress. They sleep on old, sagging mattresses that provide insufficient support, or choose a mattress purely based on price without considering their specific needs.
A bad mattress can cause back pain and neck complaints, leading to poor sleep. Sleeping poorly for long periods of time is particularly unhealthy. It often leads to all sorts of side effects that can get you into a vicious circle, resulting in chronic sleep disorders. All the more reason to pay attention to choosing the right mattress that suits you perfectly.
Types of foams in mattresses: an extra word of explanation!
Foam mattresses or polyurethane foams
We focus on foams. Latex or foam rubber is also considered a foam, but in this article we leave out latex mattresses.
If we dive deeper into foam production, we learn that classic polyurethane foam (or PU foam for short) is created by the polymerization reaction and gelation between polyols and isocyanate (MDI or TDI). When CO2 gas is produced during this chemical foaming process, it eventually leads to a blowing reaction, creating a strong foam with an open cell structure. In practice, many extra elements are added to the mix to influence the foaming reaction or to give the end result specific properties.
The classic method is not without health risks. Production must be monitored very closely because the materials used are highly toxic. They can cause severe asthma and respiratory problems.
The foam industry is therefore also being challenged to look for more environmentally friendly alternatives. For example, there is now a lot of experimentation with non-isocyanate polyurethane (NIPU foam for short). From a technical perspective, NIPUs are synthesized without the use of isocyanate. Instead, NIPUs are synthesized using alternatives such as diols, diamines, or lactones. NIPU foams can also be made with bio-based polyols extracted from renewable and plant-based sources such as plants and algae. They generally have lower mechanical properties than traditional polyurethane foams, including lower tensile strength, compressive strength, and tear resistance.
The standard material obtained with classic PU foam is easy to compress and quickly returns to its original shape. This makes polyether foams or PU foams suitable for sleeping on.
These foams can be made in large blocks, or the process can be applied in a suitable mold (molding).
PU foams originated from Bayer and are now made by many manufacturers. The different chemical compositions or foaming processes lead to different names and properties. Depending on the application, each manufacturer chooses the color for the foam. This, by the way, has no impact whatsoever on quality.
Foam mattresses last up to 10 years, depending on the firmness and density used.
Many values play a role in determining the quality of foams. We would like to take a closer look at two important aspects: density and firmness.
What is density in foams?
Density is often expressed in kg per cubic meter. This value is also called the specific gravity (SG). The SG value therefore represents the number of kilograms of foam per cubic meter. In other words, how much does a block of one meter by one meter that is also exactly one meter high weigh?
The higher the SG value, the better the lifespan. Children’s mattresses start from an SG value of 20 kg/m3, and models for more durable use for adults should ideally start from 35 kg/m3 and higher. High-quality products offer SG values from 50 kg and higher. Mattresses clearly become heavier as well.
Did you know that Technogel® has a density of as much as 1,060 kg/m3? Exceptionally high! This also makes it a very special material that is often used as a relatively thin top layer (from 1 cm to 1.7 cm). Because the density is so high, the insulating values are low. This makes it a very climate-regulating material.
Density is often associated with firmness, but that is only a half-truth.
What is firmness in foams?
Every foam has a certain compressive strength, expressed in a kPa value. This value indicates how much weight the foam can handle and therefore how firm it feels. Simply put, the compressive strength indicates how many kilos of pressure per m2 the material can handle before a deformation of more than 10% occurs.
For those truly interested, this is the formula to calculate compressive strength: 1 kPa = 1 kN/m2 = 100 kg/m2.
For mattresses, a lower kPa value at a similar density leads to easier compression and therefore a softer feel of the mattress.
Why is it important not to confuse density with firmness?
Density says something about the durability of the foam. The kPa value says something about the firmness. Naturally, a foam with a lower density often feels softer, simply because fewer kilos of ‘material’ are used in the same cubic meter.
It is difficult to compare the same mattress in a soft or medium version with a lower density than the firm variant, especially if the price remains the same. It would be more logical if the density of all three versions were the same and the kPa value differed.
Sellers often gloss over this, with good intentions, because they don’t know it themselves. Hence this extra word of explanation. Are you choosing quality? Then go for a high density with a kPa value suitable for your sleeping position. Unfortunately, these values are often unknown or not transparently mentioned. You will therefore have to rely on what you experience yourself during testing.
What is the difference between a polyether mattress and an HR foam mattress?
You often read and hear that polyether mattresses are the cheapest and have a closed cell structure. As a result, they are said to ventilate less well and moisture regulation is not optimal. They are supposedly hard and offer minimal resilience, making them less suitable for people looking for comfort and support. Therefore, they would cost less and be better used for children or guest beds. Unfortunately, all of this is quite oversimplified and therefore not true.
Polyether mattresses always have an open cell structure. That is inherent to the process, as you could read above.
HR foam is also a polyether foam and takes its name from the production process used in the past. The molds in which HR foam was cast were unheated. Hence the name ‘cold foam’ (koudschuim). Current foam manufacturers no longer use this technique.
Thanks to the right chemical composition, they manage to add even more resilience and a more irregular cell structure. That is why this foam is also called HR or High Resilience foam: very resilient foam with even better ventilating properties.
What important factors determine if a foam mattress is right for you?
Several factors play a role when choosing a mattress. We have listed the most important ones:
- Type of foam: There are different types of foam mattresses available, each with its own pros and cons. Among polyurethane foams, you can distinguish between: polyether mattresses, HR foam mattresses, visco, memory foam mattresses, gel mattresses, and hybrid foams. Each type of foam offers a different experience in terms of comfort, support, freedom of movement, and temperature regulation. Also realize that foams are usually combined. For example, a Tempur® or Technogel® mattress is built from one or more layers of supportive HR foam, and then memory foam layers or gel are assembled on top.
- Firmness: The support of the mattress is one of the most important factors that determine if a mattress suits you. The right firmness depends on your body shape, your height and weight, your sleeping position, and your personal preference. A mattress that is too firm or too soft can lead to physical complaints.
- Dimensions: The dimensions of the mattress must be matched to your body length and the size of your bed. A mattress is ideally 20 cm longer than your own body length. This gives you enough room to move while sleeping.
- Ventilation and temperature regulation: Mattresses differ in their ability to dissipate heat and regulate moisture. Polyurethane—albeit in a totally different material processing—is also used to make insulation boards. They therefore insulate heat well. People who get warm quickly while sleeping are better off choosing a well-ventilating mattress with extra attention to ventilation. Think of HR foam or gel mattresses. If you like to stay nice and warm, you can certainly also test polyether mattresses or memory foam mattresses.
- Allergies: If you suffer from allergies, it is important to choose hypoallergenic materials in the mattress cover and a mattress that ventilates well to prevent the growth of allergens such as dust mites.
- Price-quality ratio: A good mattress is an investment in your health. It is therefore really wise not to just look at the price, but also at the quality and durability of the mattress.
- Bed base: Mattresses consisting only of foam layers are also called ‘solid core’ mattresses in professional jargon. Generally, these mattresses fit all types of bed bases. In doubt? Then be sure to read our blog again: https://mindthebed.com/welke-bedbodem-kiezen-lattenbodem-boxspring/
The best mattress for you – Conclusion
There are many choices in the range of foam mattresses. Surely there is one that suits you. Realize well that there is no single “best” mattress that works for everyone.
It is important that you understand your own sleeping pattern and needs to make a choice that suits you. Above all, stay aware of signals your body gives you. Think, for example, of pain or stiffness, which can indicate an unsuitable sleeping environment.
Replace your mattress regularly. After about 8 to 10 years, it has had its best time. By investing in a good sleeping environment, you can prevent back problems and, above all, improve your overall health and quality of life.