Unlike standard foams that compress, Memory Foam deforms in shape under pressure and doesn’t want to spring back to its original shape straight away. This is because its cells spread the air pressure from one to another, reducing pressure points.
In addition to this, the foam is heat sensitive, and in colder temperatures, the memory foam is harder than in warmer temperatures when it becomes softer and bouncier. This temperature-sensitive feeling accounts for the melting feeling you acquire when lying on the foam. Different types of memory foam can have different reactions to the heat, with some staying firmer until higher temperatures have been reached.
Due to nearly every manufacturer producing a range of memory foam mattresses, the good news is the price has fallen quite dramatically over the last few years! The bad news is that there are many low-quality memory foam products on the market, so picking the right one is essential.
When buying memory foam mattresses, the rule of thumb is you get what you pay for. Finding a low-cost memory foam will not mean you have found a bargain more. The memory foam will be of a low density and probably layered with a cheaper foam underneath. This generally means the foam won’t be as comfortable and will wear out quicker.
So what should type of memory foam should you be looking for?
We would recommend at least 3″ of memory foam to start with. This amount of memory foam will give you good cushioning and allow the memory foam to conform to the contours of your body, and support the necessary pressure points.
The density of the memory foam is also critical, and I would recommend at least 5lb. Anything less than this will shorten the life expectancy of the foam, and you will find the lower-density foam will soften and compress quickly and lose its overall shape. 5lb density memory foam should last a lot longer and hold its shape better while having an over more comfortable feel
So how does memory foam density work?
When you buy a memory foam, you will pay more for a denser foam. It just costs more to make a denser foam – more raw material goes into making a denser substance. But density alone doesn’t tell you about the feel or comfort of memory foam. In its barest terms, all density tells you is how much the foam weighs. A 5 lb. density means that a cube of this material, one foot in each dimension, would weigh 5 lbs. The memory foam feel is all in the density, so I can’t stress enough the lower density you buy, the less it feels like memory foam.
How Long Should It Last?
One last thing to consider is how long a foam will last. This is an important consideration because some memory foams feel great initially but breaks down fairly quickly over time. Because memory foam can have durability issues, we would caution you to stay away from new formulations that haven’t been time-tested. You’ll avoid a lot of problems by sticking with memory foam that has a proven history of real-world durability.
Please find out more about the history of memory foam, then browse our great range of memory foam products.
Advantages of a Memory Foam Mattress Topper
If your mattress isn’t giving you the best night’s sleep and you want something to give you that extra bit of support and comfort you want on a night, then maybe you should think about a mattress topper.
A mattress topper or mattress pad lies on top of your existing mattress, adding a softer layer. You may need this if you have bought a firm orthopaedic mattress and need an extra soft layer on top to relieve aching joints in the morning, or maybe you have an expensive mattress that you don’t want to get rid of and want to get a bit more life out of it.
The good thing about memory foam mattress toppers is that they are inexpensive, lightweight, and improve your health quality. Here are just some of the problems a memory foam mattress topper could help with:
- Back & neck pain – A memory foam mattress topper mould’s to the shape of the body, allowing the spine to be straight. This brings huge benefits to back pain or neck pain sufferers due to now having the correct spinal alignment
- Arthritis – Having less stress on the joints can help with arthritic pains
- Headaches/Migraines – Support of the back will encourage the neck muscles to relax and help prevent tension headaches
- Circulatory Problems – Due to the properties of the mattress, the weight of the body allows the memory foam to mould around you, preventing such problems as swollen calves & feet, chaffing, and bed sores
- Stress – Due to a more comfortable sleeping position, a memory foam mattress topper could help with “tossing & turning” in the night. Not only this but the correct alignment of the spine aids in the restoration of the nervous system.
- Pelvic and Hip Pain – Because of the mattress topper moulding to the body, there is a reduced risk of pressure, therefore reducing the risk of swollen hip joints or an aching pelvic area.
Perfectly healthy people can enjoy a memory foam mattress topper as well, as the mattress will help prevent any of the problems above and give you a better night’s sleep because of it.
Although Memory foam is possibly the best mattress topper material due to its durability, price, and comfort level, it isn’t the only material used in mattress toppers. For example, there are natural latex mattress toppers. Although more expensive than their memory foam counterpart, latex mattress toppers tend to have a longer life and are also hypoallergenic, perfect for people living with asthma.
Another possible option is a Wool/Alpaca mattress topper. Alpaca is very soft wool from the coat of a Llama. On its own, Alpaca wool won’t support the human body due to how soft it is, so it is usually mixed in with wool for durability. A Wool/Alpaca mattress topper is also hypoallergenic, and because it’s wool, it will absorb your body’s moisture whilst you sleep.