Foam Mattresses

A lot has been said and promoted about foam mattresses in the last few years. Primarily the most noticeable has been what the astronauts used.

Foam used in mattresses can a have a variety of properties. The important ones are the material itself and the density of the foam.

The primary materials used for making foam slabs has been urethane and latex chemicals expanded into a closed or open cell structure. Urethane rubber and latex foam have properties that allow manufacturing of large area slab like sheets in various thicknesses.

The density of the foam relates directly to firmness. For example a 3 pound per cubic foot foam is obviously heavier than 2 pounds per cubic foot. the 'heaviness' means more material per unit of volume and results in a firmer foam.

There are some important factors to be considered when picking a foam for your mattress. Some people find urethane too 'hot' and clammy, while some people can be allergic to latex.

One of the most prevalent sources of latex foam is Talalay. Many mattress suppliers use their foam in one piece or multiple layers of varying densities.

Memory foam mattresses are popular for their property of molding to any deformation and returning slowly to normal.

Some concerns about foam mattresses can be non-standard height, suitable base box, thickness of pad for fitted sheets, slumping or premature sagging, warranty and value.