When we rented an apartment for the first time, we bought things that were cheap and avaialble with free shipping. Initially we had only a coil mattress which we used to put directly on floor. Later we bought a metal frame and box spring from a local store to make the complete set. It worked very well so far but lately my box spring has become quite squeaky and it has become so bad that I would be afraid of disturbing HIS sleep by just changing the side. Whenever we have guests sleeping in the next room I feel “embarrassed” because of such noise. So finally time has come to change the stuff.
Initially I was very confused since here we have different varieties in mattresses. Beds are sold in parts - frame, headboard and footboard. And box spring is something we rarely find in India. I have been going through a strong brainstorming session about buying the new things which are cost effective, efficient and easy to move. First I thought to change only box spring. But then I realized this would not end the problem since my mattress has also started sagging a bit. And if I am buying a new mattress and a new box spring, I do not want to continue using the old metal frame!!
I literally read guidelines about buying a new mattress and/or bed. And I am sure this would help some beginner like me! Before we go over the guidelines, here are some facts worth keeping in mind.
• If you are using bed, use of spring box can be avoided i.e. you can directly put mattress on bed base. I like low platform beds hence I would prefer setting mattress without spring box
• Bed base could be a solid wood board or a slated base. Of course, solid wood base would be more durable and comfortable, but slated base would be considerably cheaper and easier to pack and move
• Box springs tend to get affected by bed bugs while wood base are more immune towards such bugs
• In short, either you buy metal frame + box spring + mattress or bed + mattress. This does not mean that box spring cannot be used on top of wood base, but it would be an extra expense. Box springs were introduced to offer comfort and shock absorbance since in earlier days mattresses were made of solid cotton. Now we have high quality coil mattress and memory foam mattresses available, so shock absorbance is taken care of by mattress only
• If you are going to use foam mattress you can absolutely avoid spring box. But for coil mattress, it depends on quality of mattress whether to use spring box
I have made up my mind to buy a bed frame (with headboard and footboard) along with slated bed base from IKEA (and say final good bye to box spring :)). If slated base does not work for me, I will replace it with solid base or just buy a wood board (from Home Depot) to put between mattress and slated base.
How to buy a mattress,
• I have already been using not so good quality coil mattress for 3-4 years and now I do not think I would go for it again. As I am thinking to buy memory foam mattress only, I am going to write only about it
• Queen size memory foam mattress is available in a range from $200 to $4000. I would not recommend to go for a very expensive one since it’s better spend money on changing the mattress every few years than spending big on one piece
• Generally it is common understanding that thick mattresses are more comfortable, but in foam mattress density of foam matters and not the thickness. If density is 3 Lb or above, it is good. So, 8” thick mattress with higher density can work better than 12” thick mattress with lower density.
• Another criterion is what kinds of fibers are used. Natural fibers work fine in all seasons but they cost quite high ($1000 +). In my budget, I would go for synthetic fibers only so I would check if they are temperature adjustable. If not then you might get up sweating in middle of the night :)
• Generally foam mattress comes in 2 or 3 layers. 2 layers have base and top foam layers. While 3 layers have top, core and base layers. I would go for 2 layers, since more layers means higher probability of falling them apart
• Top foam layer should be at least 2.5” thick since this is the layer your body will be in direct touch with.
• Generally foam mattress tends to emit smell of chemicals for first 2-3 days. If smell does not go away completely, contact the manufacturer and ask for replacement
• Buy a mattress that has minimum of 15 days return policy
• If you are going to avoid box spring for a foam mattress, it's important to keep in mind that a foam mattress weighs signicficantly higher than a coil mattress with same thickness
I am not in a favor buying a mattress online. So I will visit and check them in store. Once I can decide on brand and thickness, I might buy the same online.
I believe, I am done with my homework and ready for change. What I wrote was just based on theory I read online and might change once I buy and actually start using them!
Initially I was very confused since here we have different varieties in mattresses. Beds are sold in parts - frame, headboard and footboard. And box spring is something we rarely find in India. I have been going through a strong brainstorming session about buying the new things which are cost effective, efficient and easy to move. First I thought to change only box spring. But then I realized this would not end the problem since my mattress has also started sagging a bit. And if I am buying a new mattress and a new box spring, I do not want to continue using the old metal frame!!
I literally read guidelines about buying a new mattress and/or bed. And I am sure this would help some beginner like me! Before we go over the guidelines, here are some facts worth keeping in mind.
• If you are using bed, use of spring box can be avoided i.e. you can directly put mattress on bed base. I like low platform beds hence I would prefer setting mattress without spring box
• Bed base could be a solid wood board or a slated base. Of course, solid wood base would be more durable and comfortable, but slated base would be considerably cheaper and easier to pack and move
• Box springs tend to get affected by bed bugs while wood base are more immune towards such bugs
• In short, either you buy metal frame + box spring + mattress or bed + mattress. This does not mean that box spring cannot be used on top of wood base, but it would be an extra expense. Box springs were introduced to offer comfort and shock absorbance since in earlier days mattresses were made of solid cotton. Now we have high quality coil mattress and memory foam mattresses available, so shock absorbance is taken care of by mattress only
• If you are going to use foam mattress you can absolutely avoid spring box. But for coil mattress, it depends on quality of mattress whether to use spring box
I have made up my mind to buy a bed frame (with headboard and footboard) along with slated bed base from IKEA (and say final good bye to box spring :)). If slated base does not work for me, I will replace it with solid base or just buy a wood board (from Home Depot) to put between mattress and slated base.
How to buy a mattress,
• I have already been using not so good quality coil mattress for 3-4 years and now I do not think I would go for it again. As I am thinking to buy memory foam mattress only, I am going to write only about it
• Queen size memory foam mattress is available in a range from $200 to $4000. I would not recommend to go for a very expensive one since it’s better spend money on changing the mattress every few years than spending big on one piece
• Generally it is common understanding that thick mattresses are more comfortable, but in foam mattress density of foam matters and not the thickness. If density is 3 Lb or above, it is good. So, 8” thick mattress with higher density can work better than 12” thick mattress with lower density.
• Another criterion is what kinds of fibers are used. Natural fibers work fine in all seasons but they cost quite high ($1000 +). In my budget, I would go for synthetic fibers only so I would check if they are temperature adjustable. If not then you might get up sweating in middle of the night :)
• Generally foam mattress comes in 2 or 3 layers. 2 layers have base and top foam layers. While 3 layers have top, core and base layers. I would go for 2 layers, since more layers means higher probability of falling them apart
• Top foam layer should be at least 2.5” thick since this is the layer your body will be in direct touch with.
• Generally foam mattress tends to emit smell of chemicals for first 2-3 days. If smell does not go away completely, contact the manufacturer and ask for replacement
• Buy a mattress that has minimum of 15 days return policy
• If you are going to avoid box spring for a foam mattress, it's important to keep in mind that a foam mattress weighs signicficantly higher than a coil mattress with same thickness
I am not in a favor buying a mattress online. So I will visit and check them in store. Once I can decide on brand and thickness, I might buy the same online.
I believe, I am done with my homework and ready for change. What I wrote was just based on theory I read online and might change once I buy and actually start using them!
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