Your Mattress: What Counts Most Is What's Inside

Regardless of the brand or type of bed you select, the function remains the same. To choose the right one you need to know just what you want out of your mattress. You also need to understand how it's constructed if you want to understand what makes a comfortable mattress.

We'll start at the bottom and work our way up. The frame is a vital part of any sleep system. If casters are used on the frame, they should have a top weight bearing rating and be about 2 inches wide. If you frame is good quality, it will be made of wood, strong metal, or perhaps a combination. Some frames adjust and expand, and are capable of growing from a queen to a king, or a twin to a full.

The majority of twin and full frames come with 4 rails to help support the bedding. On occasion, wooden slate are placed between the rails to ad strength. Kind and queen frames should come with a center support to prevent sagging in the middle and support the larger mattress. You'll notice some bed framed come with decorative wood rails down the sides. These however, are strictly for appearance and have no effect on the frame's strength, although the salesman might try to tell you otherwise.

As we work our way up we come to the box spring. As you would expect, bedding manufacturers suggest buying a new box spring to coordinate with any mattress you select. This is usually a good idea. They were designed together, so naturally they will work best if purchased together. Old box springs tend to sag over the years just like a mattress. Common sense tells you that a new mattress over a saggy box spring will break down quicker. A quality box will have a wood frame surrounding a coil system. In general you can expect it to be a bit stiffer around the edges and a bit more giving in the middle for added comfort.

This brings us to the mattress. It is the support system that holds the spine in the correct position and provides comfort. This is true whether it is filled with tempur memory foam, air, water or steel coils. The most conventional support system is the inner spring. This is a series of springs or coils that will give a little under your weight. I say a little because you do not want to sink too far.

Tempur foam or memory foam mattresses are different. They consist of a man made foam that responds to both temperature and weight for support. The idea is for the mattress to be harder where you body touches less, and softer under heavy pressure. The same idea is used by aerobed and waterbed mattresses, filling a sack similar to a balloon with water or air. This is to counter the pressure that your body provides.

Finally, the top layer is the padding that sits on top of the support system. It doesn't matter if it is cotton, foam or wool, the amount of padding will determine your comfort. You find less padding n a firm mattress. On the other hand, a thicker layer of padding will be on a plush mattress. Of course the pillow top mattress will have the thickest layer of padding.

If you understand what makes a comfortable mattress, you will have less trouble making the right decision for you. Remember there are several types of support systems. You'll want the one that gives you the best support for the money.