There are essentially two main types of mattress contruction – those with and those without springs.

The majority of mattresses in the UK have a core support of springs. The spring construction, the number of springs, their height and the guage of the wire will each affect the comfort of the mattress and the area over which your weight is distributed.

The type of springing, the various layers of padding, and the supporting base are elements which each affect the feel of the bed in a different way. Users will often disagree about which is the firmer of two beds, because each person will be more influenced by one or other of these elements. Some suppliers have attempted to give their beds a “firmness rating” but this can only be reliably achieved if the beds being compared are of a similar basic specification.

Open coil springing, also known as the Bonnell spring, is a long established construction. The springs are aligned in rows and connected to one another, top and bottom by horizontal helical wires, with an outer rods strengthening the perimeter. The gauge of the wire will determine the spring tension. This system is used for mattresses priced from budget to mid-range.

Continuous springing uses a continuous length of wire, which is “knitted” into a series of interwoven springs which run throughout the mattress. The effect of this is to give a larger number of smaller springs, using a softer gauge of wire to provide the equivalent amount of support. This will normally give a more responsive feel and is normally found at a mid-market price.

Pocket springs are small, softer springs housed in individual fabric pockets. They are able to work independently of one another, profiling the body shape to prevent pressure points. There is little or no transmission of movement from one sleeping partner to another. In a mid-market pocket spring construction, the spring pockets are often formed from a non-woven nylon fabric. Each pocket is then welded to the ones around it. Sometimes the edge of the springing is strengthened by a rod. A welded pocket spring unit can be formed into a mattress just as easily as the open coil type.

Honeycomb or nested pocket springs are considered to give the most luxurious feel. The lines of springs are arranged next to each other in a honeycomb formation, rather than a parallel grid. This way, they are packed as densely as possible, so that the sleeper is supported by the maximum number of springs, which can follow every contour of the body. The pockets are sometimes made of synthetic fabric but traditional cotton calico, machine stitched, is more flexible. The columns of springs may be retained by twine, passed through at the waist, or (as in a Vi-Spring mattress) held in place only by the surrounding upholstery, so their movement is not at all restrained.

Hand side stitching is a essential feature of the most luxurious pocket spring beds. The deep dimples in the border panel of the mattress are not there for decoration. They are the visible sign of the hours that have been spent, stitching the pocket springs to the border, to produce a strong, long-lasting mattress – whilst still allowing the comfort-giving free movement of the springs. Some mattress makers attempt to imitate this effect on a cheaper mattress which contains an inferior spring unit. Don’t be fooled – look for the tiny loop of flax twine in the dimple!

The comfort layers – the materials used to upholster a mattress – are many and varied. They contribute greatly to the comfort and also differentiate one mattress from another in terms of price. Above are the all-natural fillings used in Vi-Spring beds. Natural fibres have a proven track record of being cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

All sprung mattresses have an insulator pad of fairly dense material, next to the springs, to prevent you from ever feeling them. Immediately under the cover is a soft layer, which, as well as feeling comfortable, must also be good at absorbing body moisture during the night and releasing it when you air the bed each day. The amount and type of fillings used in between will vary according to the bed. Foam and hollow-fibre layers play an important part in the comfort of many mattresses.

Foam mattresses are of three main types. Latex is a premium product derived from the sap of the rubber tree. It is very resilient and has anti-microbial properties which can be of benefit to allergy sufferers. Polyurethane foam is petroleum based and is available in many different grades. Visco elastic (commonly known as memory foam) has a unique feel: it slowly responds to both temperature and weight, forming the shape of the user – and slowly recovers when pressure is removed. It has good pressure-reliving properties but some people dislike the feel of a “nest” which is created round the sleeper. All these types of foam are also used as components of a sprung. mattress.

There is no single feature that makes one mattress better than another. The entire product – materials, amount of materials, construction processes and tailoring methods has to be taken into account.

The core of a mattress is what actually provides the support. A better quality sprung mattress will have more steel at its core. But it might have taller springs with many turns of wire, or shorter springs in multiple layers. The spring unit works together with the layers of padding materials to support the hollows at the small of your back and the back of your knees. This allows the muscles to relax, as they don’t have to work overtime to keep the spine straight. The result is a more restful and peaceful night’s sleep.

“Counting coils” is not a reliable indicator of quality. It is easy for sales people who know very little about the product to talk about the number of coils in a mattress. It might sound authoritative but you really need to know about all aspects of your new mattress in order to appreciate its quality.

Turn or non-turn?

Some mattresses are produced with only one side fully padded – and sold with the supposed benefit that you will never need to turn the mattress. In the case of a foam mattress, this is a consequence of using firmer foam at the base of the mattress and softer grades for the sleeping surface. But a non-turn spring interior mattress has probably been made that way to save money for the manufacturer.

A two-sided mattress can be turned over to even out wear and tear. Any bed will show a body impression where you lie. In the same way that fine shoes mould to the shape of your feet, a fine bed will show the shape of the sleeper. When you turn your mattress, the impressed side regains an even appearance while you are using Side 2. If a mattress is one-sided, it is a good idea to rotate the mattress head to foot – but the impression will still be there.

It is true that no one enjoys the chore of mattress turning. It is also true that more resilient fillings are now available, which mean that comfort can be maintained, despite some settlement being visible. There are non-turn mattresses available which will give you good service – but we still say that two-sided is best!

Some manufacturers have used the more resilient fillings on a two-sided mattress, with the message that frequent turning is not necessary – and that can only be a good thing. Your aim should be to choose a good quality bed, with a two-sided mattress if possible.

What types of divan base are there?

Sprung edge divans have springs all over, rather like the springs in a mattress. They are made of a heavier gauge wire and serve as a shock-absorber for the mattress. This has the advantage of providing a perfectly level supporting surface, with equal comfort across the full width of the bed. The springs tend to be smaller and more numerous in a luxury bed.

Firm edge divans have a firm, wooden border, with springs in between. The springs are generally quite large and widely spaced, with webbing stretched across the top to provide all-over support. If you sit on the edge of the bed (something we do not recommend – because it damages the mattress – but it may be a necessity to do so) a firm edge divan will feel much more secure than a sprung edge one. When offered with a top-of-the-range bed, the firm edge divan will probably be made with the same type of smaller springs as used in a sprung edge divan.

Solid or platform top divans give the firmest feel. A ventilated board top is covered with just a thin layer of padding and fabric. This is most often chosed with a firm mattress. Remember that, because your mattress will be doing all the work, it may need replacement sooner than if used with a sprung divan.

Slatted bases are particularly popular in a bedstead frame. They provide good ventilation for the mattress but it is important that the slats are not set too far apart. If the gap between slats is greater than 65 cm (2.5 inches) it is desirable with most types of mattress to place a sheet of perforated hardboard (pegboard) over the slats. This avoids undue strain on the mattress and will also improve your comfort.

Motorised, adjustable beds are often made with a slatted base. With a motorised, adjustable bed you can easily raise your upper body or legs for the most comfortable position. If you need the assistance of a motorised, adjustable bed, for reasons of health or mobility, we are allowed to supply you without charging VAT. There is a simple self-certification form. Two 2’6 or 3’0 single beds can be linked as a double. We also offer a 5’0 double bed which incorporates two separately-controlled motorised units.

Beds with storage come in various forms. Most popular is a drawer divan with two large drawers at the side of a single bed, or two large drawers each side of a double bed. A variation on this is a “2 plus 2” drawer divan, which has smaller drawers in the head half of the divan, which can be easily opened next to a bedside chest. Sometimes an “end drawer” is offered as an alternative, at the foot end of the bed. Platform top and sprung edge drawer divans are offered: a sprung divan may have shallower springing, and a firmer feel, than the equivalent non-storage version.

The Hypnos Hideaway divan, shown here, offers maximum storage, accessed by lifting side and end flaps on the divan. An ottoman divan has a lid which opens, lifting the mattress with it, so you have the complete interior of the divan available for storage. With any storage divan arrangement, you must bear in mind the supplier’s recommended weight limits and not overload it. The general intention is to provide space to store spare bedding.