Rite of Spring: Mattress Shopping Could Mean Lying Down on the Job

Welcome to the incredibly frustrating world of mattress buying.

Sealy, Serta and Simmons sell three out of every four mattresses, but there are more than 800 mattress manufacturers and thousands of styles.

To make things more confusing, department stores and telephone-order companies sell many of the same mattresses under different names, making comparison shopping difficult.

Prices for a queen-size mattress set can run from $500 to $10,000, with some sets reaching 25 inches thick. That’s perfect for a princess and a pea, but what about the average person whose lumpy mattress is 10 years old and needs to be replaced?

The Better Sleep Council, a consumer group backed by the mattress industry, says support, comfort and space are key considerations.

For comfort, the mattress should support your body, cradle your curves and allow your spine to be in the same position as good standing posture. Support and comfort preferences are likely to change as you age or grow.

Don’t rely on labels to tell you whether the product has the firmness you want. Test for yourself. Lie on your back for several minutes, then roll into the sleep position to determine whether the mattress is comfortable and supports all points of your body. Compare the feel of different mattresses until you find the one that’s right.

The mattress should give you room to move easily and freely. Queen- or king-size mattresses give couples the most space.

A mattress and foundation are designed to work together and should be bought as a set. Putting a new mattress on an old foundation or adding a board between the two reduces the level of comfort and may void the warranty.

Quality costs. You should spend at least $450 for a twin-size set, $600 for a full-size, $800 for a queen-size and $1,000 for a king-size, according to Consumer Reports.

Mattress sales are common but consumers should be leery. Make sure the bargain is all it’s supposed to be and not just to lure you into the store.

Tossing and turning on the mattress, waking up feeling stiff or sore or sleeping on the sofa may be signs that your mattress is no longer comfortable.

Don’t rely on the warranty to guide you to when it’s time to replace your sleep set. The warranty protects against product defects and workmanship mistakes, not gradual loss of comfort and support, the council says. It suggests consumers check mattresses for signs of wear and tear, peaks and lumps, or worn upholstery twice a year.

“People complain about beds squeaking and rolling to the center of a bed,” says James Fogelstrom, western region vice president of Aireloom Handmade Sleep Products in Ontario, who conducted a seminar at Birch Hill Interiors in the Laguna Design Center. “If you get a well-made mattress to begin with, you won’t have those problems.”

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Most orthopedic experts recommend the firmest mattress you feel comfortable on. Be aware, however, that it usually takes a month to get used to a new bed.

Extra support is needed along the edges because people use mattresses for more than just sleeping. They watch TV in bed, sit on the edge, or relax and read.

When buying a mattress, check how comfortable the edge is. If it feels like a broomstick, chances are a piece of heavy foam has been added that may break down with use.

Mattresses can be filled with foam, water or air, but innerspring mattress sets are the most popular. The box spring is the foundation and gives durability to any mattress set.

“The stronger and better built the box spring, the longer the mattress will last,” Fogelstrom says. “It’s about 55% to 60% of your overall support.”

Steel coils within the mattress set provide the support, with the heavier gauge of coil giving the most. There can be 300 to more than 700 coils, with more coils usually meaning more support. A British company makes a full-size mattress with 2,800 coils.

Tempered coils are considered better because they hold their shape, and the number of turns in

the coil can also add to a mattress’ firmness. Interconnecting wires keep the coils in place, so too few wires can allow for coil misalignment.

If you buy a mattress with heavy-gauge wire and a low coil count, it could become lumpy. Most brand-name companies have an adequate amount, however.

Box springs are made with fiberboard-covered wooden frames, a wooden frame with heavy gauge springs or even metal frames with springs.

A plain wooden frame, usually found in less expensive sets, is adequate only if the wood is straight and free of cracks. This type of frame can make a mattress seem firmer than it is, much like adding wooden slats under a mattress.

The mattress’ upholstery, the foam and fabric that separate the body from the coils, also determines comfort. If you like the feeling of a feather bed, look for a “pillow top” design. If you like a firm feel, look for thinner upholstery.

The support to your back can be the same with both choices. Middle padding comes below the quilted outer layer and often starts with foam. Good foam is resilient and almost moist to the touch. Dry or crunchy foam won’t spring back easily, causing the mattress to sag.

For more information:

* The Better Sleep Council, https://www.bettersleep.org.

* Consumer Reports, https://www.consumerreports.org.

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Questions to Have on Hand

* How many coils are there and what are they made of?

* Are the coils tempered? What gauge?

* What kind of material is used in the upholstery and padding?

* What is the box spring’s frame made of?

* Is the mattress durable and strong enough to support your back?

* How plush do you want it? Pillow tops and quilted coverings can give a feather bed feel.