Why choose a pocket spring mattress?
The pocket spring dates back to 1901. It was invented by James Marshall, the British founder of what is now Vispring. This invention revolutionised bed design and provided unparalleled levels of comfort. Since then, pocket spring mattresses have been designed and perfected by many different brands. They now come in many different qualities. In this article you will learn all about pocket spring mattress, how to recognise a good pocket spring mattress and its advantages:
1. What is a pocket spring mattress and what are its advantages?
A pocket spring mattress is, as the name suggests, a mattress with springs. What makes pocket springs so special is that they are each individually wrapped in a pocket, which allows all the springs to move separately from one another. This system has several advantages:
- When your partner moves, you will barely notice it
- You lie down comfortably
- The breathable pockets the springs are wrapped in create a healthy sleeping climate and ventilation, and they prevent the springs from getting stuck into one another
- A pocket spring mattress offers good support and pressure relief
2. Which criteria should a pocket spring mattress meet?
A pocket spring is barrel-shaped or tube-shaped and, in a good pocket spring mattress, it is made of high-quality, stainless steel wire. Another important factor that determines the quality of your pocket spring mattress is whether or not the springs have been electro-thermally or oven-hardened. If the pocket springs have been thermally hardened, they automatically return to their original shape. They retain that original resilience for a long time. The special heat treatment modifies the metal structure of the springs, ensuring they retain their elasticity for longer. However, this is not the case in cheaper mattresses, and as a result, they tend to quickly sag.
In addition, the covering layers used also play a key role. The pocket springs in the mattress can be covered with different types of material: horsehair, wool, (Talalay) latex, cold foam, polyether, memory foam,... each material has its own unique properties which contribute to the quality and comfort of your pocket spring mattress.
The number of springs used also affects the quality of the mattress. The more springs, the higher the quality of the mattress. But beware, do not only focus only on the number of springs. The quality of the springs and the covering layers is much more important than the number of springs. The number of coils of the spring and the thickness of the steel wire (the thicker, the firmer) also determine the firmness of the mattress. In many pocket spring mattresses, this is how different zones are created. If you have a good mattress, you should never feel or hear the springs.
3. Which base should you use with a pocket spring mattress?
We are often asked which base should be used with a pocket spring mattress. A pocket spring mattress works best on a box spring base. On a box spring base, each spring in the mattress has the ideal support to compress and rebound correctly. Here you’ll discover why this is the ideal combination.
A pocket spring mattress can also be perfectly combined with an Auping mesh base. However, it is not a good idea to combine a pocket spring mattress with a slatted base, as the spaces between the slats do not support the pocket springs and they will therefore not compress and rebound correctly. With time, this can result in a bad night’s sleep and even back problems. There are, however, a few exceptions to this, for example with Auping and Equilli or Swissflex, which have a pressure-reducing layer under the pocket springs. This ensures that the space between the springs is compensated for. So when in doubt, don’t hesitate to ask us for advice!
Do you have an adjustable box spring base or a mesh base? Then you can also top it with a pocket spring mattress. In most mattresses, the springs are arranged in straight lines. In some Vispring mattresses, the pocket springs are embedded in a honeycomb structure. If you have a motorised box spring, the mattress is adjusted so that it can also neatly bend along with the bed base and the body.
4. How long does a pocket spring mattress last?
A pocket spring mattress lasts for 10 years on average. Of course, the lifespan of your mattress depends very much on the quality of the mattress and the materials used, but also on the way the mattress is maintained. Here you will discover how you can prolong the lifespan of your mattress.
Do you still have questions about pocket spring mattresses? In our showroom you can find pocket spring mattresses by no less than 7 different brands. We will be happy to tell you the differences between each brand. Contact us to book an appointment and test which pocket spring mattress suits you best!
