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Probably the most important aspect of buying a new mattress is picking the right level of firmness. Choose one that is too firm, and your nights may end up restless and filled with tosses and turns, but choose one that is too soft, and you may develop aches and pains, especially if you have a history of back problems. There are several different ways that mattress makers can control the firmness of their products, and it helps to know something about them so you can arm yourself when you walk into a store and are trying to choose between several different types of mattresses.

The primary way that mattress manufacturers control the firmness of their products is through the coils. To create one that is extra firm and sturdy, there are two different things they can do, one of which is to make a heavy coil mattress. By thickening the width and stiffness of the springs, mattress makers can increase their strength, which results in less “give” when one lies on top. This thickness is denoted by the “gauge” of the coils, where a lower number means a thicker wire, and thus a firmer mattress. The other method that is used to create firmness in a mattress is to increase the number of coils that make up the inside. A greater number of springs inside the mattress will provide more support under the weight of a person’s body.

Another thing that manufacturers will do to vary the firmness is add padding to the top of the mattress. Many consumers prefer mattresses that are very soft in order to increase their level of comfort, so often extra padding made of polyurethane foam is sewn onto the top to create what’s known as a “pillowtop” mattress. As this method is independent of the internal design of the coils, sometimes people will choose a heavy coil mattress, or one with a greater number of springs, along with the pillowtop style on the outside to create a sturdier mattress while compensating for this firmness with the extra padding. This type of mattress can be very comfortable, yet will be less likely to sag over the years due to the nature of the coils.

You don’t want too many coils, springs that are too thick, or too much or too little padding on top for your personal taste however, so it is always best to try a wide variety of mattresses out for yourself by going to a mattress store and laying on them. This is a perfectly acceptable practice in mattress stores, so you should not feel embarrassed about going in and spending a few minutes lying on any mattresses you may be interested in. Just like test driving a car, you should also test drive several different levels of firmness to see which one is the best fit for your body. These days, mattresses are built to last at least ten years, so it is best to make sure you are happy with something that will be with you for a long time.

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