Latex Mattresses

If you thought the pillow topped mattresses and air filled mattresses were comfortable, you may want to take a look at latex mattresses, they take comfy to another level. 

Never heard of a latex mattress?  Most people haven’t, they’ve been around, and are just now catching the eyes of  sleep deprived consumers.  While the air filled adjustable mattresses – as in what’s your sleep number – offer instant adjustments, they can cost several thousand dollars.  Latex comfort may be just what the chiropractor ordered at a slightly lower price.

While memory foam beds and mattress toppers have been all the rage for the past few years, many users complained that they were hot and couldn’t get used to the heat sensitive foam feel.  Latex is stepping up to the plate to make a mattress with the comfort of memory foam and the adjustments of the air filled chambers.

A latex mattress contains 1-4 layers.  The bottom layer, called the core, is the firmest, and each layer above gets softer.  The core is from 5-6 inches thick and is made from dense latex or sometimes polyurethane foam.  The upper layers are called the comfort layers and offer the softer feel.

So how does latex get turned into a comfortable mattress?  There are two ways it’s done:

  • Dunlop Method.  The latex is liquefied and mixed with air to form a foam, then molded until it vulcanizes.
  • Talalay Method.  The latex is processed as in the Dunlop method, but the foam is placed in a mold with a vacuum and processed to a more consistent cell structure.

After the molding process, it’s washed down to reduce the smell.

The result is a mattress that offers:

  • Durability – latex tend to last 5 – 10 more years than a standard innerspring mattress
  • Smooth - No dips or ruts
  • Reactive - Instant reaction and support to the body’s movement;
  • Resistance - Resistance to dust and bacteria

Latex mattresses have offered a 5% higher satisfaction rate by owners than all other mattress owners.  But there are some down sides to consider for latex mattresses, including,

  • Expense – latex mattresses tend to cost more than standard coil mattresses, but are comparable or less than the air chamber sleep number beds; and
  • Weight – the mattresses tend to weigh more than standard mattresses, making them more difficult to move.

If you’re considering a latex mattress, you’ll need to decide whether you prefer natural latex, which is an environmentally friendly product from a rubber tree plant (as in, just what makes that little, old ant….) or a synthetic latex.  Most mattresses are a blend of both. 

While all-natural latex mattresses are available, they’re quite expensive and the all natural product can suffer from more variations in quality.  The synthetic latex can be slightly stiffer but maintains its resiliency longer.  Blends of the two try to capture the best of both worlds.

If you’re redecorating your bedroom, take a look at your mattress, it may be time to replace it.  You may just want to take a look at latex if it’s time for a new one.