An alternative to the traditional innerspring mattresses are foam-based mattresses. These are highly popular nowadays as they are known to tend better to the consumer’s comfort needs because of the softness they offer. The different types of foams include: traditional, memory, reflex, latex and convoluted foams.

In this article, we will be discussing the somewhat traditional memory foam and its sub-type, the gel foams, which are used in mattresses that exist in the market today to help you make in making a better, informed purchase.

Memory Foams

Also known as ‘visco-elastic’, these foams are very much similar to the traditional polyfoams in terms of the materials that go into their manufacturing. How they differ is in terms of the additional chemicals that are used during their production in order to provide variations in the end product-memory foam mattresses; extra softness and body contour etcetera. These were initially invented by NASA back in the ‘90s in the form of a material to aid comfort for the astronauts.

Pros:

The memory foam’s material is specifically designed to conform itself to the shape of your body, regardless of your sleeping position. It creates a well-supported cradle for you to lay in peacefully and enjoy a restful sleep.
In memory foam mattresses, motion transfer is non-existent to minimal as the motion waves are absorbed by the foam right under you and don’t get to travel to your partner, sparing them the otherwise sleep disturbance, and vice versa.
No springs poke out of your mattress into your body and cause discomfort as with spring mattresses.

Cons:

‘Offgassing’ can be a problem because, as we mentioned earlier, these foams make use of chemicals. These chemicals may have strong odors and these may be unpleasant to deal with. Some sensitive users have even reported facing respiratory issues due to offgassing.
Memory foam mattresses do not perform the task of air circulation and ventilation very well which puts off many buyers. Disrupted sleep and irritability in the middle of the night result due to the heated up memory foam mattress.

Gel Foams

These foams are just basically memory foams which are infused with microscopic gel beads mostly in the top, comfort layer of the gel memory foam mattresses. The gel was introduced by thoughtful, responsive and customer-focused manufacturers to address the heat retention troubles faced by the ordinary memory foam.

These foams provide the sleeper with all the benefits of a memory foam and of course, cooler sleeping conditions. The gel beads create gaps inside the foam which allows for air to be pushed away from your body. In addition, these beads also absorb body heat to give off a cooler effect. However, the gel beads can bring a few drawbacks with them as the cooling effect doesn’t last too long and your mattress may wear out quicker if larger beads, which break down easily, have been used by your foam’s manufactures.

Foam Densities

Density is a measure of an object’s mass per its unit volume and basically determines how well-compacted it is. Densities play an important role in a mattress’ durability and the level of comfort it offers. Highly dense memory foam mattresses are considered to be the most long lasting ones out there which provide superior and effective body support. With the feature of gel beads added to them with a higher price, they can last longer than the standard memory foams. Your body weight has an almost direct relation to the density of your foam mattress; heavier weights require support from denser mattresses in order to last longer.

Hence, you need to take your body weight and your commitment to dealing with heat retention in consideration when opting for higher density memory foam mattresses.

At www.simplybeds.com.au we don’t usually have 100% foam mattresses. We do use different types of foams in pillow tops. We have normal, memory, gel foams and latex in the pillow tops.