by Erika Napoletano
Buying a memory foam mattress should be an enjoyable experience. After all, you are upgrading your bedroom suite to include one of the most innovative mattresses available. Memory foam is a temperature- and pressure-sensitive visco-elastic material that conforms to your body shape when you lie down on it. This means that, when you lay down on a memory foam mattress, the weight of your body helps shape a custom-contoured sleeping surface. The idea of a custom mattress sounds great, but what should you look for when evaluating different memory foam mattresses? Everyone's sleeping style is a little bit different, so here are some tips on buying a memory foam mattress.
Mattress thickness: Memory foam mattresses generally vary in thickness from less than 8 inches to more than 13 inches. While any thickness of memory foam mattress is going to provide the benefits of a pressure-sensitive sleep system, think about your preferences with your current mattress. Thinner mattresses are generally less expensive and provide less support. They also may or may not be able to be used with platform beds. Thicker mattresses may provide a more supportive sleeping environment.
Mattress support: As with traditional mattresses, memory foam mattresses come in varying degrees of support. When shopping for your memory foam mattress, think about what you like about your current mattress. If you enjoy a highly luxurious mattress now, look for a memory foam mattress that is plush or has a pillow top. If a firm foundation is what you need for a good night's sleep, shop by support level and compare the features of different mattresses with a firm level of support.
Mattress construction: Memory foam mattresses will either be completely constructed of memory foam or be a combination of memory foam fused as a topper to a traditional mattress. Both types of mattresses will serve different sleepers. However, it is important to remember that a combination mattress will not be reversible should the need arise. Mattresses made entirely of memory foam can generally be flipped. Many of the new memory foam mattresses are designed so that they never need to be flipped. Whether you choose a mattress of all memory foam or one that is a combination of materials, you'll still enjoy the benefits of a body-contouring mattress.
