What Are Your Sleep Surface Options?

Consumers today can choose from a variety of mattresses - those which provide most of their support, comfort and performance with an innerspring construction (traditional mattresses) or those designed with a non-innerspring construction (specialty mattresses). In the 90's a Specialty mattress might have been and air bed, waterbed, memory foam mattress, latex rubber mattress, and an emerging category of "natural" and "all natural" beds, including futons which were made of wool, cotton and other bio-based materials. Now Specialty Sleep shoppers will find gel polymer beds, "certified organic" beds, advanced, engineered European foam beds and sleep accessories such as top-of-bed mattress/pillow protection systems, high-tech pillows, adjustable beds, engineered foundations and platform beds, storage and support systems, and even proactive "smart" beds.

Thoughtfully engineered sleep surfaces, whether they be air, adjustable, flotation, latex or foam beds, or the emerging hybrid mattress category which combines a traditional innerspring construction with a memory foam, latex or polymer gel comfort layer - reduce pressure points by contouring your body while providing support for correct spine alignment and distributing your body weight evenly. By minimizing the pressure on your body, you greatly reduce tossing and turning, increase blood circulation, and enjoy a deep, soothing sleep.

Choosing the right bed is a highly personal decision. Research shows that good quality surfaces reduce pressure points and provide contouring support for correct spine alignment, resulting in improved sleep quality and comfort. Pressure points cause pain, stiffness and unhealthy alignment of the spine. The best bed for you is one that is comfortable … one that provides the cushioning and support that allows you to get the best night’s sleep.

Specialty Sleep options include:

  • Adjustable Beds: Adjustable beds feature a motorized mechanism to adjust the head and foot position. They allow you to precisely adjust the amount of elevation, releasing tension in your back muscles as well as your legs, hips, shoulders and neck … minimizing pressure, stress or strain on your body.
  • Air Beds: Air beds are much like traditional innerspring beds in outward appearance, but air beds are crafted from a series of air chambers rather than springs. With the touch of a hand-held control, the bed is customized to your comfort preference - plush to firm - based on the level of air pressure in each chamber.
  • Flotation Beds (Water Beds): The waterbeds of today … known as “flotation” systems … bear little resemblance the free-flowing waterbeds of the past, but they retain the benefits of a fluid sleep surface. Most flotation beds look just like a traditional innerspring mattress and can be used with regular bedroom furniture.
  • Latex Beds: Latex is a flexible, resilient foam. By gently conforming to every contour of the body, latex provides superior back support and outstanding pressure relief. Derived from the rubber tree, latex is inherently anti-microbial and dust mite resistant, making it perfect for allergy sufferers. In addition, latex is breathable, so it is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
  • Visco Foam: Visco-elastic beds are created with special temperature-sensitive foam, allowing the mattress to contour to your body in response to the warmth of sleep. Visco is also a breathable material, allowing air to circulate around your body. In addition, it can help reduce allergens such as dust mites, mold and mildew.
  • Combination Beds: Along with the mattress types listed above, many Specialty Sleep models combine various technologies to create unique surface feels and support mechanisms, providing consumers with an even broader array of sleep support choices.

Mattress & Pillow Types

  • Adjustable
  • Air
  • Flotation
  • Latex Foam
  • Visco Foam

Adjustable Beds allow you to precisely adjust the amount of elevation, releasing tension in your back muscles as well as your legs, hips, shoulders and neck … minimizing pressure, stress or strain on your body.

In addition to wonderful health and relaxation benefits, adjustable beds offer the pleasure of sitting in comfort while watching TV, enjoying breakfast in bed, reading, writing or working on a laptop computer. New advances offer models with quiet motors, luxurious pillowtops, massage systems, easy-to-use controls and the ability to keep the bed up close to your headboard and nightstands.

Features & Benefits:

  • Numerous relaxing positions can be attained with the push of a button.
  • Relief of pressure and even weight distribution means more comfortable, restorative sleep.
  • Many models allow for individualized positioning for each sleeping partner.
  • Available in a variety of sleep surfaces (latex, visco, foam, innerspring).
  • Models with soothing massage or heating mechanisms offer extra comfort.
  • New “wall hugger” models eliminate gaps between the bed and the wall when the bed is in seating positions.
  • Perfect for watching television, breakfast in bed, reading, writing or working on a laptop.

Air Beds can be regulated to be plush to firm - based on the level of air pressure in each chamber. Some models offer dual controls so each sleep partner can regulate the firmness of their side of the bed to their own particular comfort level.

Features and Benefits:

  • Conforms to your body to give support where you need it most.
  • Helps promote natural spinal alignment and reduces uncomfortable pressure points, improving the quality of sleep.
  • Soothes aching muscles, improves circulation and reduces stress.
  • Dual-control systems allow each sleeping partner to customize his or her “feel” and level of support.
  • Can be easily adjusted to change as you change over the years.
  • Pillowtops and luxurious covers available.
  • Lightweight and easy to handle.
  • Never needs turning.
  • Assembles easily; no tools required.

Most Flotation Beds look just like a traditional innerspring mattress and can be used with regular bedroom furniture.

Softside Flotation Beds

The new “softside” flotation beds combine the comfort and conforming support of traditional waterbeds with the luxurious look and convenience of a conventional mattress and box spring. A variety of softside systems are available to give you the level of support and firmness that is comfortable to you. The basic technology utilizes a series of water-filled tubes beneath a cushioned top surface. The tubes can easily be filled at a sink and then carried to the mattress.

Traditional Waterbed / Hardside Flotation Bed

You may remember the original waterbeds that consisted of a large “balloon” of water inside a wood frame, like a box. Known as “hardside waterbeds,” these beds remain loved by many original waterbed fans. Hardsides are still made by a number of manufacturers, using the best materials and updated technology. Many models combine air, foam or other materials to create different levels of motion and support … perfect if you enjoy some movement, but not the full motion feel of water.

Features & Benefits:

  • Looks like a traditional mattress with the comfort and health benefits of flotation.
  • Provides correct spinal alignment and support, reducing pressure on the major joints and promoting proper blood circulation.
  • Helps soothe back pain, relieve sore muscles and reduce tension.
  • Most offer customized dual support on each partner’s side of the bed.
  • Luxurious covers, including pillowtop models, are available.
  • Weighs 60 percent less the weight of a hardside (wood frame) waterbed.
  • Easy drain and fill capabilities.
  • Heating systems are not needed.
  • Never needs turning.

Latex is inherently anti-microbial and dust mite resistant, making it perfect for allergy sufferers. In addition, latex is breathable, so it is warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Latex provides good support by conforming to the individual body contours of the sleeper. Pillowtops and luxurious covers available as well as anatomically correct latex pillows.

Features & Benefits

  • Luxurious and comfortable.
  • Conforms and contours to the body, providing proper support and alignment.
  • Relieves pressure on joints, muscles and circulatory system, promoting a healthy, restful night’s sleep.
  • Anti-microbial and dust mite resistant - perfect for allergy sufferers.
  • Breathable, so you are warmer in winter and cooler in the summer.
  • Eliminates moisture build up next to the body.

Visco-Elastic Foam (also known as memory foam) is a breathable material, allowing air to circulate around your body. Visco-elastic was created by a scientist for space NASA, but then changed radically to conform to commercial and consumer use.

Originally developed by NASA to help relieve pilots that were undergoing the stress of G-force testing, this "space age" foam has been re-engineered for consumer and medical purposes. This incredibly complex, open celled wonder known as Visco-Elastic (Memory) Foam is highly regarded for its therapeutic benefits and is most helpful in the relief of common back and neck pain, insomnia, snoring and stress.

Features & Benefits

  • Conforms and contours to the body, allowing customized sleep and comfort.
  • Relieves pressure on joints, muscles and circulatory system, promoting a healthy, restful night’s sleep.
  • Benefits allergy sufferers by reducing the dust mites, molds and other allergens.
  • Retains its shape - no sags, creaks or lumps.
  • Easy to set up, use and maintain.
  • Most models have zippered covers for easy removal and washing.

VISCO-ELASTIC FOAM PILLOWS

Medically Beneficial – Medical professionals worldwide uphold the need to support the natural curve of the upper spine to prevent neck pain and problems. The anatomically correct shape of the Personal Profile Pillow promotes better health by reducing pressure points that can cause tossing and turning while you sleep.

The anatomically correct shape of the Personal Profile Pillow positions your head and neck in perfect alignment with your spine to eliminate pressure points for instant relief of upper back and neck pain.

Open-celled Memory Foam responds to your body`s own heat, molding and contouring to your unique, individual shape. Many visco-elastic pillows come with tailored pillow covers, which are treated to eliminate fats and proteins that harbor dust mites and other micro-organisms.

Buyer's Guide

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How to Choose A Mattress

  • What type of mattress is best? +

    Choosing the right bed is a highly personal decision. The best bed for you is one that is comfortable … one that provides the cushioning and support that allows you to get the best night’s sleep. Consider your overall health, your back/alignment needs, and your physical size. Would you like an adjustable bed or maybe one with heating/cooling features? Does your partner have the same needs?
  • How do I choose a bed? +

    First, know your options. By reviewing websites, such as this one, you’ll get an idea of the various styles, features and benefits of various sleep systems, including Specialty Sleep products that offer more than a traditional innerspring mattress. Think about what elements are most important to you - for example, dual-control so you and your partner can each customize your side of the bed, or a model that will help reduce allergens in your bed.When you go shopping, we recommend trying out several different sleep surfaces. If you sleep with a partner, be sure to shop together. Then take your time and test beds in the store. Lay down on your back as well as in your normal sleeping position (Be sure to wear comfortable clothes!)You will likely have an intuitive preference for a particular type of bed; then, you can compare brands and models and make your final decision.
  • What makes a Specialty bed good for me? +

    Research the basic types of mattresses online, including airbeds, waterbeds, visco-elastic memory foam beds, engineered polyurethane beds, natural and synthetic latex rubber beds, gel beds, natural, all-natural and "certified organic" cotton, wool, latex and innerspring beds. We suggest that you research an appropriate variety to include name-brand mattresses as well as smaller and/or more unique specialty sleep companies. You can visit the SSA Member Manufacturer list, to get a very solid base of choices: http://sleepinformation.org/index.php/member-directory
  • How much will I pay for a Specialty bed? +

    Most Specialty beds are considered premium or ultra-premium products in the mattress industry. Typically, Specialty Sleep mattress systems will range from $800 to $2,000 for a queen-size bed, with some models priced higher or lower depending upon the specifications.These prices are comparable to premium and ultra-premium innerspring mattress sets. Keep in mind that sleeping is as important to diet and exercise for a strong and healthy body over a lifetime. When you set your budget remember that you and your partner will most likely spend more time in your bed than your car every day...
  • Do I have to flip or turn my Specialty mattress? +

    All air and flotation beds and most visco and latex models do not need to be flipped or turned. Check with the retailer or manufacturer about the maintenance requirements for a specific model.
  • Do I need special furniture for a Specialty bed? +

    No, today’s Specialty Sleep products are designed to fit standard furnishings and look much like a typical innerspring mattress and box spring set - including today's water bed. NOTE: When you choose a special adjustable foundation or a reinforced foundation for your mattress, there may be suggested headboard types recommended.
  • Are there Specialty bedding and linens? +

    Today’s Specialty Sleep products come in the regular twin, full, queen, king and California king sizes, so standard linens and bedding should be fine. NOTE: Make sure to ask about pillows to match your sleep style and/or physical considerations, and also mattress/pillow protection systems for allergies, asthma and bedbug protection.
  • Where can I find quality Specialty product retailers? +

    Specialty Sleep beds are sold at mattress and bedroom shops, furniture retailers and stores that offer products for healthy living. Some are offered directly from manufacturers or via the Internet. You may also want to visit our Manufacturer’s Directory for additional resources and information.
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