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Bedroom Furniture » Mattress Guide
Mattress Guide
| Mattress Guide |
A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed atop a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.
The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.
Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed atop a platform (such as a bed or a metal spring foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an innerspring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.
A box-spring is a hard sturdy wooden frame, covered in cloth, containing springs or some other form of torsion. Usually the box-spring is placed on top of a metal frame which sits on the floor and acts as a brace. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer mattress which is placed above the box-spring. Working together, the metal frame, box-spring, and mattress make up a bed. It is not uncommon to find a box-spring and mattress being used together without the support of a metal frame underneath.
The box-spring serves three main purposes: To help raise the mattress's height, making it easier to get in and out of bed; to help absorb shock and reduce wear to the mattress; and to help create a perfectly flat and firm structure for the mattress to lay upon. Some beds do not need a box-spring, but most traditional metal-frame or four poster beds require one.
A bed frame or bedstead is the part of a bed used to position a mattress or foundation set off of the floor. Bed frames are typically made of wood or metal. A bed frame is made up of head, foot, and side rails. Most double (full) sized beds, along with all queen and king size beds require some type of center support rail, typically also with extra feet extending down to the floor. Warranties can become invalid if the proper bed frame is not used, and it is suggested that you read your warranty card to confirm whether or not your bed frame is adequate.
Types of bed frames:
Platform
typically featuring a mattress only, although some platform beds will still use a box spring
Captain
drawers are set beneath the bed frame to make use of the space between the bed frame and floor
Though not truly within the definition of a bed frame, most people include headboards, footboards, and bed rails when speaking of bed frames. Headboards and footboards can be made of wood or metal that is stained, painted, or covered with fabric or leather. Bed rails are usually made of steel or iron.
While most bed frames are constructed to have a headboard attached to it, they do not usually accommodate footboards, unless you buy a specific type of frame that has attachments at both ends. For beds with headboards and footboards, the frame is made up of bed rails that are attached to the headboard and footboard with slats positioned perpendicular to the bed rails to hold and support the bed.
A mattress protector is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of or encases a mattress to provide protection to the mattress. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the individual sleeping on the mattress from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, mold, and dead skin (like dandruff).
Although a mattress can be vacuumed, it is very difficult to clean one thoroughly once it has become marked. An unprotected mattress can become marked or stained quite quickly as natural perspiration produced throughout the night passes through a standard fitted sheet and creates a telltale yellowish brown tidemark where it has been absorbed into the upper surface of the mattress. Mattresses are also susceptible to many other contaminants.
A mattress protector should be used if the individual is known to be susceptible to allergies. A typical mattress can be home to millions of tiny dust mites. These creatures produce waste products that can irritate the lining of the airways and lungs and particularly with children can bring on allergic reactions, asthma and can irritate skin conditions such as eczema.
Not all mattress protectors are waterproof; some are designed to provide 'wear and tear' protection for the mattress and are available in the form of a lightly quilted fitted sheet. These will only provide minimal protection against liquids and little or no protection from dust mites. Waterproof and breathable mattress protects can provide protection against many allergens, however, as well as keeping the mattress clean by securing it from absorbing body excretions (such as sweat) or other liquids resulting from spills. For protection against bed bugs, the mattress and box spring must be fully enclosed with no possibly openings.
MATTRESS SIZES:
| Twin Mattress Size |
39" wide x 75" long |
| Twin Extra Long Mattress Size |
39" wide x 80" long |
| Full Mattress Size |
54" wide x 75" long |
| Full Extra Long Mattress |
54" wide x 80" long |
| Queen Mattress Size |
60" wide x 80" long |
| Queen Split Mattress |
60" wide x 80" long
Two 30" x 80"
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| King Mattress Size |
76" wide x 80" long |
| King Split Mattress |
78" wide x 80" long
Two Twin Extra Long beds together
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| California/Western King Mattress |
72" wide x 84" long |
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