Types of Memory Foam Mattresses

You've heard about Tempur-Pedic for years, and have wondered if a memory foam mattress is for you. You've also seen how expensive they can be, and wonder about the publicity, the off-brands or about thinner mattress toppers. Here are some basic facts about memory foam mattresses where you can find different brands of memory foam products available before you buy.

History

In the 1970s, NASA needed a material to protect astronauts from the extreme g-forces of take-off. Through research, a visco-elastic memory foam that would conform to a shifting body was discovered. Fagerdala World Foams of Sweden made Tempur-Pedic in 1991, and began selling in the United States in 1992.

Function

Memory foam conforms to the body and distributes weight evenly across the foam material, reducing stress on pressure points.

Types

Memory foam mattresses can be either full-depth memory foam double mattresses (10 to 12 inches) or mattress toppers, which are 1- to 4-inch pads of memory foam.

Features

The quality of memory foam is graded in four ways: density in pounds per square foot (weight), Indentation Load Deflection Rating (IDL), resilience and tensile strength.

Considerations

Memory foam mattresses work most effectively on a hard, flat surface, rather than a traditional box spring. A memory foam mattress topper may not improve your sleep experience if added to a lumpy mattress. Memory foam mattresses are designed to conform to the entire body, where an air mattress is not.

Benefits

Memory foam mattresses are longer-lasting than traditional spring mattresses.