Your Cart is Empty
Menu
Of all the innovations brought about by the cold war space race, memory foam has been the most beneficial to humanity’s rest and relaxation. Developed by NASA scientists and engineers as softer, impact-absorbing padding, this revolutionary chemical concoction has become the basis for a new boom in mattress marketing.
Brands like Nectar, Tempur-pedic, Tuft & Needle, and Puffy have been extolling the virtues of this fancy foam across the internet and on mattress store showrooms, with more new brands appearing every day.
But, what exactly is memory foam? Why is it used in so many modern mattress designs, and why are there so many companies selling their versions of memory foam mattresses? How did this shock-absorbing cushion go from astronaut seats to vacuum-sealed boxed mattresses?
At Furniture Fair, we sell many mattresses, and each customer we serve has a unique set of preferences and needs. We strive to find the perfect mattress match for the customer using tools like the bedMATCH rest test system.
To help you better understand whether or not a memory foam mattress may be right for you, we’ve taken the time to show you the ins and outs of memory foam mattresses. If you want to learn more about memory foam and how it might help with better sleep, read on.
Alright, let’s take a look at what memory foam is. While you might think modern mattresses require a lot of sewing, the truth is that many modern mattress materials are more likely to require a chemistry degree.
Memory foam was developed for NASA’s space program during the 1970s and has had many commercial applications. The original foam design was used to help cushion pilots during crashes or turbulence and has had many alterations since then.
Memory foam is made from a mixture of water and hydrocarbons to form polyurethane (a polymer or petroleum product) mixed with diisocyanates and water. The combination of chemicals creates a rising process that helps develop an open cell-like structure, making the memory foam form-fitting and springy.
Manufacturers can control the gas bubbles’ size during the foam creation process, creating different foam density levels. The bigger the bubbles, the more give the foam will have, while the smaller bubbles create a tighter, denser foam.
Varying foam densities allow mattress manufacturers to create levels of foam comfort depending on your needs. Once allowed to set and dry, the foam is trimmed to the necessary size and prepared for everything from airplane seat cushions to mattresses in various sizes and prices.
Many different types of memory foam (such as open-cell, gel-infused, and even plant-based versions) have been developed for basic and higher-end mattresses, and memory foam is used in complete memory foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses for varying levels of support.
Ok, so now we have an idea of how memory foam is made; let’s find out why Memory foam has become very popular for mattress manufacturers and retail mattress sellers, including here at Furniture Fair.
So why is memory foam the material of the moment for mattresses? Why is this miracle foam used in two out of the three most common mattress types being sold today? Let’s take a look at a few reasons why manufacturers have fully adopted this type of chemical-based cushioning.
Memory foam mattresses tend to use less raw materials than traditional mattresses do. Traditional mattresses use materials liked coiled metal, cotton, wool, etc., to create the mattress frame and covering.
The number of materials required for a traditional mattress is significantly more than that of a memory foam mattress, consisting mainly of, well, memory foam.
Memory foam mattresses tend to be both lighter and more cost-effective to manufacture while still lasting as long as a traditional mattress.
The lower cost of memory foam also means that memory foam mattresses can be manufactured for every quality level, meaning you can find a mattress at your comfort level that will also match your budget.
With a little ingenuity and some varying-sized gas microbubbles, memory foam can be adjusted to multiple levels of density. Having different types of softer and firmer foam makes it easier for manufacturers to create mattresses that support individual body weight and pressure points in the hips and shoulders.
Memory foam mattresses are good for both the side and back sleeper and offer firmness levels from soft, to medium and firm.
Say you prefer the comfort of a softer mattress that hugs your body while you sleep while still providing proper support. With the multi-level support that memory foam offers, you can have soft support while still keeping the firmer foam as a base for your back and joint support. You can also try adding an adjustable base for maximum health benefits.
Using multiple foam levels in a memory foam mattress makes for a wider variety of available mattresses, which means you have more selection, and a better opportunity to find the perfect mattress for your preferred sleep position.
Unlike the waterbeds of the 70s and 80s that some die-hard fans still swear by, the memory foam mattress uses another one of nature’s elements to create support; air.
Specifically, the spaces inside the mattress foam where the gas bubbles are now filled with air pockets create a supportive and soft system.
Because many memory foam mattresses are made with only memory foam, that means they can be vacuum-sealed. Vacuum sealed mattresses negate the need for a furniture delivery truck, meaning you can purchase a mattress online and have it delivered directly to your front door.
Ease-of-shipping has led to an all-out race by companies to get shippable mattresses on the market. Companies such as Purple Mattress, Nectar, Casper, Puffy, and many are in heated competition to be seen as the best shippable mattress on the market.
So now you might be thinking, “Hmmm, these memory foam mattresses are interesting, but are they right for me?” If you are considering replacing your mattress, there are a few pros and cons that might affect whether or not a memory foam mattress is right for you.
As mentioned before, memory foam mattresses can be shipped directly to your door, which makes ordering and receiving a breeze. In addition to being convenient, memory foam is also hypoallergenic, helping relieve allergies that a mattress made from organic material might cause.
Memory foam mattresses are versatile and can work with most bed frames, including adjustable bases. Memory foam mattresses are available at good, better, and best levels of quality, and can work with your budget.
One downside to memory foam is heat retention. Traditional memory foam can trap body heat which can make you uncomfortable.
If you toss and turn because your memory foam is too warm, you might want to look for another mattress. Better memory foam mattresses now feature a cooling top layer.
If you are a stomach sleeper, you may want to avoid a memory foam mattress, as the high-density foam is designed to support pressure points and may not properly support sleeping on your stomach.
Finally, mattresses made from memory foam tend to isolate motion better than innerspring mattresses while still maintaining the support you need. For a better rundown of how memory foam may or may not be right for you, check out this article on the pros and cons of memory foam mattresses.
Now that you know what a memory foam mattress is, you will be better prepared to decide whether one is right for your needs. Keep the information in this article in mind when the time comes to make your next mattress purchase.
Remember, memory foam mattresses are made from polymer materials and use tiny little air pockets to create a supportive yet soft base for your body.
Keep in mind that a memory foam mattress is easy to ship, available in multiple support levels, and a bit lower in manufacturing cost to produce.
If you are looking to enhance your bedroom with a new mattress or new furniture, consider Furniture Fair. We have been in business for over 50 years, and we have a wide variety of mattresses available, including the Tempur-Adapt series by Tempur-pedic.
We have over 11 locations throughout the Cincinnati, Dayton, and Louisville areas, and we offer a wide variety of delivery options, including curbside delivery!
Visit us today and find out more about the memory foam mattress options available for you.
Buying a mattress is no small decision.
The Mattress Buyer's Guide will help you
learn more about mattresses and
prepare you to find the perfect mattress.
