Are you having a hard time getting a good night sleep these days? Do you wake up sore and tired? It could be that your mattress needs to be replaced.
The average life span of a mattress is 10 years. After ten years, most mattresses start to lose their spring and support, making your nights uncomfortable.
So how do you choose the right mattress? There are three things to consider when choosing a mattress, size, comfort and support. Let’s take a look at each of these factors.
Size
A mattress should be at least 6 inches longer than the tallest person who will be sleeping on the mattress. There are 5 standard sizes of mattresses; twin, full, queen, king and California king. Twin and full size mattresses are 75 inches long. Queen and King size mattresses are 80 inches long. The California king is 84 inches long. Something to consider when buying a mattress is that the bigger the mattress, the more expensive the sheets. California king sheets are both very expensive and hard to find, but if you or your partner could qualify for the NBA, it may be an expense you have to deal with.
Comfort
Comfort is a much more personal factor when it comes to mattresses. Some people like a softer mattress, while others prefer a firmer mattress. Really, when it comes down to choosing the correct comfort level for your mattress, your best bet is to head on into your local mattress showroom and lay down on several mattresses. Don’t feel shy about it. A mattress will most likely be a ten-year investment and you will be spending at least a third of those ten years using it. You certainly wouldn’t buy a car without a test drive. Your mattress should be no different. Besides, I promise, you will not be the first person the mattress sales person has seen lay on every mattress in the showroom.
Support
This is the more technical part of choosing a mattress. A mattress needs to give good support and in order to do this there are a few basic standards a mattress should have. The mattress should have enough springs. A queen size mattress should have at least 375 springs. More for a larger mattress and less for a smaller mattress. The more springs in a mattress, the better. The coil should be a 13 gauge or lower. There should be at least 5 turns in each spring, but keep in mind that more turns means a more durable and longer lasting spring. Better supporting mattresses are normally better quality mattresses, so look for signs of a quality mattress. These signs can include straight seams, tight and even quilting, and sturdy side handles. Mattress showrooms that sell quality mattresses should have a cross section of the mattresses they sell available for you to look at. Examine these cross sections for signs of a good support mattress and avoid mattresses where they can’t show you what the springs look like or that appear to be shoddily made.
So there you have it. Just remember these three basic factors, and choosing the right mattress for you will be easy. And keep in mind, this is a ten year investment, don’t skimp on cost or quality.
For more tips on how to choose the right mattress for you, visit The Better Sleep Council’s site about sleep and mattresses.