Never underestimate the importance of getting a good night’s rest when it comes to making it through a long busy day, or the role that a great mattress plays in helping you achieve this. Now when we say a “great” mattress, this doesn’t mean one with a hefty price-tag or with all the bells and whistles found in many of today’s trendy designs. A top-quality spring-coil mattress will fit most budgets while still delivering the plush comfort and extra support featured in some of the most popular brands on the market… at a fraction of the price.
So, let’s begin by looking at the inner-workings of a spring-coil mattress (also known as a coil-spring and innerspring mattress).
What Is A Spring-Coil Mattress?
Right off the bat, you need to understand the mechanics of a spring-coil mattress. Essentially, it’s a mattress that uses a minimum of 252 metal coils (and often upward of 600) in its core layer to deliver cushioning support and a little extra bounce. That springy bounce is a feature many consumers appreciate in a new mattress and it’s something that you just won’t get with memory foam.
But when it comes to coil count, that alone doesn’t always predict the comfort level of a spring-coil mattress. Other factors such as wire gauge, coil size, type and amount of padding all play a role in how restful a night you’ll experience – as does whether the mattress coils are pocketed. Pocketed coils are individually encased in fabric which allows them to respond independent to one another. This means that they not only minimize motion transfer (an important feature if you have a partner that tosses and turns in the night) but they’re also more responsive to the contours of your body, cradling your key pressure points and delivering enhanced support to the lower lumbar region. This pocketed coil type of construction is also more durable and allows for better air flow which means a cooler sleep for you.
Six Advantages of a Spring-Coil Mattress
- A Bed for Every Budget
Spring-coil construction mattresses should never be considered the poor-man’s alternative to the pricier memory foam. In fact, these mattresses can run the gamut in terms of price and quality, ranging from an expensive luxury brand with all the special features you would expect for the heftier price tag, to a budget-conscious design with fewer coils and basic padding that you can simply pop on top of your existing box spring for an inexpensive but instant upgrade in sleep quality.
- So Many Styles to Choose From
There is a spring-coil mattress to suit every sleep need and budget. From those that offer 2 to 3 times the standard number of coils for extra firmness, to those with individually pocketed coils that provide improved air circulation for a cooler sleep, to those with pillow tops, Euro-tops and even hybrids that use both coil-spring and memory foam construction.
- A Customized Sleep Surface
Today’s spring-coil mattress also offers you the opportunity to choose the components that make up the surface layers of your bed. You can choose the cooling benefits of latex, the contouring support of a thick layer of memory foam or the cozy comfort of a thinner layer of memory foam that still allows the innerspring “bounce” to come through.
- Heights to Suit Your Lifestyle
No need to buy all new sheets – your new spring-coil mattress comes in a wide range of heights that include the more basic 6-inches all the way up to a whopping 13-inches. This variety of options allows you to choose a height that works with your budget, your lifestyle and… your existing bedding! Have a smaller room that would be overwhelmed by too much height? Choose something from the 6- or 7-inch spring coil mattress range. Love the wow factor of a great big king-sized bed? There’s a 12- or 13-inch design with your name on it!
- No Need for a Google Search
The innerspring mattress of your dreams is sure to be available on-line with just a click of the mouse or ready for delivery at your local bricks-and-mortar department store. Yes, they’re still so popular that you won’t have to conduct a lengthy search for the brand, style and size you seek, then work out a currency exchange rate and pay to have it shipped from overseas. Easy access and speedy delivery is what it’s all about when you’re in need of a better sleep.
- Sized Right for Your Body Type
Today’s spring-coil mattresses come in twin, double, full, queen, king, California king and even different lengths for those who are taller and are tired of their feet hanging over the end. While ultra-custom sizing may be a special order, you’ll ultimately end up with the mattress you want in the size you need. Such is the advantage of spring-coil construction.
Six Tips for Buying a Spring-Coil Mattress
- Always buy the best quality you can afford. A well-built spring-coil mattress will stand up over time and with minimal care should last at least 10 years before needing to be replaced. Coils do count and the more you have the better your mattress will wear. Why? Because the more coils you have the more fully your sleep surface is supported. Rule of thumb is a minimum of 400 coils for a queen-sized mattress but these days you’re more likely to see a count of 800 and upward. Those mattresses with anything less will typically have had rows of coils removed to allow for additional padding around the sides which will break down more quickly over time and compromise the life of your mattress.
- Splurge for a new foundation. While you may think the extra height of your new mattress makes it ideal to sit directly on your floor, never underestimate the importance of a good foundation. A solid box spring foundation works with the mattress to deliver uniform comfort and support across the entire sleep surface, makes it easier to get in and out of bed and also extends the life of your mattress by absorbing shock and helping to minimize the wear and tear on your mattress cover.
- Look for superior grade materials and construction. Spring-coils that use twice-tempered steel are typically stronger and less likely to sag after years of use. And when you’re trying to figure out which coil gauge is best, look for a range of between 12 (firmer and lasts longer) and 15 (delivers softer, plush support). For those with a bigger budget, micro coils are also gaining in popularity and are used within the comfort layers with memory foam padding for enhanced support and a cushy, bounce to your mattress.
- If you’re heavier (over 200 pounds), you’ll want a medium-firm mattress with some extra height of 12-inch plus to provide the support you’ll need. Now because a firm spring-coil mattress can feel a little more rigid than you might like, consider one that combines the support of individually pocketed coils with the softer, plushy feel of pure memory foam in the padding. A great option is the 14.5-inch thick Saatva spring-coil mattress that delivers complete lumbar support across the entire sleep surface and features a plush Euro-pillow top with organic cotton cover.
- For those who are back sleepers, a firmer mattress that provides full lumbar support to prevent your lower back from “floating” during the night is the way to go. One such option is the 10-inch thick Sapira mattress that features both the individually pocketed coils designed to deliver the optimum amount of bounce for those who are loyal to the spring-coil mattress, with superior quality memory foam to cradle your contours and ensure always restful nights and pain-free mornings.
- If you’re shopping for a spring-coil mattress that will indulge your passion for sleeping on your stomach, you’ll want the soft, plushy comfort that can only come from a mattress with a euro-style pillow topper. The 11-inch thick WinkBed is just such a mattress and combines 2 full layers of spring coils. The lower level provides full support for the entire mattress, with individually pocketed coils encased in cotton mesh for sound reduction while the upper layer of coils is surrounded by memory foam for cushy, pressure relieving support that is ideal for those who love to sleep face down.
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