Mattress Springs: Everything You Ever Needed To Know

Are you struggling to sleep?

Do you spend hours tossing and turning?

The UK is a sleep-deprived nation with three quarters of UK adults getting less than eight hours of sleep per night. We spend more than a third of our lives in bed, so a good night’s sleep definitely plays a huge part in our day to day life.

But when it comes to buying a good quality mattress, many of us have no idea where to start.

If this sounds like you and you’re also struggling for your 8 hours a night, you’ll want to read on.

Mattress Springs – What you need to know

We spend more time in our beds than most other items of furniture in our homes. If your sleep is suffering, it is worth checking out your mattress to see if that could be the root of your problem. If you aren’t sure, the National Bed Federation has a bed MOT which you can fill in – and this may help you decide what to do next.

According to The Sleep Council, an uncomfortable mattress can rob us of up to an hour’s sleep per night.  Additionally, If you’re struggling for some shut eye, you could also be putting your health at more risk than you think. These “short sleepers”, according to a study by European Heart Journal review, have a much higher risk of developing heart disease, at about 48%.

So what makes a good mattress?

The bottom line is about quality.

There’s a choice between a foam or spring filling to being with. Take a look at our mattress buying guide for more information there.

If you do decide on a mattress filled with springs, a higher spring count generally means it’s likely to be better quality but comfort and personal preference also play their part.

These springs are more than just coils of metal, today’s mattress springs are highly technological – let’s find out more.

Different types of mattress springs

There are many different types of mattress springs and without knowing the benefits of each it can be difficult to choose a mattress that contains the right kind of support for you.

Essentially, there are two main types of mattress springs, bringing different advantages of each:

• Open coil springs (also known as continuous spring mattresses)
• Pocket spring

First up, there’s the open coil mattress springs. These remain popular options due to comfort and affordability.  There is a wide range of them available on the market. These are simply an interconnected spring system and often known as the traditional method of manufacturing for mattresses.

The comfort will be determined by the thickness of the wire used for the mattress springs. The lower the number, the thicker the spring and therefore the firmer the mattress. If you opt for an open coil mattress, you should consider a high number of mattress springs as it helps maintain its shape and reduce sag.

Open coil mattresses provide good orthopaedic support due to their firmness. They are also lighter and are generally easier to handle and turn where necessary.

Next, there’s the pocket spring. Pocket springs are simply individual springs that are inside fabric pockets and provide a bit more of an upgrade in terms of comfort compared to the open coil. They are great if you are sharing your mattress with another person, as it means they can roll around in the bed beside you and you’re left relatively undisturbed.

Mattresses that include pocket springs are also more versatile, which is what makes them so popular. They come in all ratings from soft to firm and designed to cater for a variety of personal preferences. However, the number of pocket springs does not define the tension of the mattress. The firmness rating depends on other things, for example:

• The other fillings or fabric contained in the mattress
• The thickness of the wire used for the spring
• How many “turns” are on the spring – i.e. how tight the metal is coiled around, these
• loops define how many turns you have, so the more turns you have the tighter the spring

So when it comes to choosing a pocket spring mattress, don’t just go by spring count alone.

Pocket springs are also really good for a cooler temperature in bed, compared to something like memory foam, for instance, which might be something else to consider when choosing your mattress.

This is because pocket spring mattresses generally have multiple layers, so that air is able to flow much more freely between your body and the fabric of your mattress. Your body temperature fluctuates as you go through your sleep cycle, so a pocket spring mattress can help you stay cooler while you sleep.

Is more mattress springs better for a good night’s sleep?

There is definitely a correlation between the mattress you choose and whether it offers the right amount of comfort and support. However, the number of springs depends on whether you choose an open coil or a pocket spring.

It’s also worth giving some thought as to the position you sleep in. Silent Night recommends medium, or medium soft for front sleepers, where as firm and medium firm is better for back and front sleepers. If you share your mattress with another person who sleeps in a different position to you, then a pocket spring mattress might be a better choice for you. But, don’t get too tied up in how many springs in a mattress when it comes to pockets. Whilst the general rule is the more the better, make sure the firmness and support is right for you.

Make sure you do your research as a great mattress should last you around 8 years. Considering you will spend most of that 8 years asleep, make sure you are getting the rest you need.

As one of Jersey’s leading furniture shops, we have an array of experience in the differences in each mattress, so if you are unsure what is right for you – ask us!