Lesson #5: Special Features
Some mattresses and box springs include special features that can provide you with additional benefits and provide value through enhanced comfort, performance and/or durability. Other extras, however, are simply marketing ploys used to create hype or interest in a product. They provide little value and are not worth any additional cost. The following list offers a look at some of the more common special features along with our opinion of their value, which is noted in parenthesis as shown here: Positive (+), Negative (-), Neutral (+/-).
Handles (+/-)
Some mattresses have handles and some do not. At The Original Mattress Factory, we use handles that are specially designed not to pull out when moving, flipping or turning your mattress. Be sure to ask a sales associate about the type of handles used on your mattress.
Tempered Steel (+)
An innerspring can either be tempered or un-tempered. Tempered innersprings are generally preferred because they are stronger, more resilient and therefore more durable. The tempering process, which involves heating the wire or innerspring unit to a high temperature, can be done electronically or in a tempering oven. The term "double tempered" or "twice tempered" is used often in the industry, but once a coil has been heated to the optimum temperature to achieve tempering, it cannot be tempered twice.
Wool and Silk (-)
Some companies tout the benefits of wool or silk in a mattress to help to keep you warm or cool. The reality of this claim is questionable. Because the mattress pad and sheets you should be using to protect your mattress eliminate direct body contact, the insignificant amount of silk or wool used in manufacturing these mattresses provides no benefit to the consumer.
Edge Supports (-)
Edge supports firm up the edges of your mattress to provide extra support. However, a mattress with a thicker gauge steel innerspring that is tempered will provide all the edge support needed, so are you willing to spend extra money for something that is unnecessary? At The Original Mattress Factory, we can install edge supports in some of our products. We don't see the value in this feature, but it is available as a result of customer requests for a harder edge.
Split Box Springs (+)
A king size set comes standard with split box springs. Sometimes, however, people need split box springs for a queen or full size in order to move the box springs into older homes or up tight stairways. There is commonly an additional charge for split box springs on queen and full sizes, but sometimes it is the only option to negotiate a tight stairway or to avoid damage to your walls. Split box springs offer the same support as a one piece box spring; but require the use of a center support on your queen or full size frame.
Low Profile Box Springs (+)
Low profile box springs are typically 3" shorter than the regular 8" box springs. Since the trend is plusher, thicker mattresses, these box springs allow you to get the comfort you need at a height you can handle. If you are interested in low profile box springs, make sure they are built to offer the same support and durability as regular height box springs. Avoid those that use straight wire or a platform construction which offers no shock absorption.
Hinging (+)
Hinging allows a mattress to be bent without damaging the spring unit when delivering in tight stairways or doorways. It does not affect the durability of the mattress and can be a big benefit when moving in tight spaces. At The Original Mattress Factory, our premium King sets are hinged and can be folded from head to foot. We will also hinge Queen and Full size mattresses on special request, as will other companies that sell custom mattresses.
Gatching (+)
Hospital beds and adjustable bed mattresses are gatched to allow them to bend at the head and foot. Gatching allows a greater area of an innerspring to be bent without causing damage to the coil system because a significant portion of the border rod on the side of the mattress is removed.
Thin Layer of Memory and/or Latex Foam (-)
Some mattresses are advertised as having memory (viscoelastic) foam and/or latex foam inside. The majority of these mattresses do not have a foam core and contain only a thin layer of visco or latex that is located deep beneath the upholstery layers. In this position, you cannot even feel these foams and do not receive any of the features or characteristics they have to offer. Before you buy, make sure you understand exactly how much foam is used and where it is located. At least 2" of visco or latex near the top surface is recommended.
Posturization/Zoning (-)
Posturization is the concept of creating regionalized comfort or firmness zones in a mattress or box spring to provide varying degrees of support relative to the weights and contours of one's body. The theory behind posturization is that heavier, more pronounced portions of the body, such as the hips and shoulders, need more support than lighter, less pronounced portions, such as the head and feet. The marketing story behind this type of zoning is that it allows the body to maintain a more normal position of function (better spinal alignment) during sleep. There is little information available to either support or deny this claim. However, due to the fact that each person has a unique combination of shape, size, weight, contour and sleeping habits, it is difficult to believe that a mattress with fixed support zones would be appropriate across the board. Zones may prove to be too wide or firm for some people and too narrow or soft for others depending on individual physical characteristics and sleeping habits.