Glossary

This is the fabric that surrounds the mattress and it too can affect breathability, temperature regulation, and pressure relief as well as have a significant effect on the overall feel of the mattress.

The price paid for a product in comparison to its benefits.

The raw material used to make latex foam is either natural latex, which comes from the rubber tree, or synthetic latex which is made from SBR (styrene butadiene). Many latex foams are made from a blend of the two (such as 70% SBR and 30% Natural latex or NR). Two different processes can be used when manufacturing latex: the Dunlop process and the Talalay process. The Dunlop process has two main variations: one uses a mold and the other is done with a continuous pour method on a moving belt. The mold method is simpler and results in a denser foam. Dunlop mattresses made with foam from the continuous pour method are softer, but still dense and durable, varying little in terms of firmness throughout the material. The Talalay process is more complex than the Dunlop process. It requires less latex as it uses a vacuum to expand the latex in a mold and then it is frozen, preventing the particles from settling before being heated and cured, resulting in a lower density. Despite having less latex in the foamed core, it has a stronger, thicker cell structure, making up for the lower amount of latex in the material in terms of durability.

It is a positioning foam wedge that creates an inclined sleep surface. It is typically placed on top of the mattress and it is used to create an optimal angle for the torso, neck, and head to provide relief for individuals with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). One advantage of a positioning wedge over an acid reflux foundation is that it can be used by one person while the partner can sleep on a flat surface. This solution is not recommended for those with lower back or hip injuries which will find it difficult to tolerate the inclined angle.

An inclined support system placed under a mattress and elevated at the head. It is used to tilt the body while sleeping to provide relief for individuals with acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

It is a sturdy and flat support structure typically constructed of wood and often used in conjunction with a wooden or metal bed frame to elevate a mattress off the ground and provide a firm surface that will not sag over time under the weight of the mattress and the people on it. A quality mattress foundation/base extends the life of a mattress and it is designed to:

•  Act to provide an even rigid and non-flexing surface to support the mattress and make sure that any compression is all in the mattress itself. This would apply mostly to foam core mattresses (without any springs) which can absorb shock all by themselves without the risk of deformation of an innerspring. They are usually "designed" to be self-contained and to achieve the design goals they require an evenly supportive non-flexing surface.
• Act to provide ventilation under the mattress. While a solid surface platform or foundation would be the most supportive type of support system ... the lack of ventilation under the mattress in combination with other risk factors can contribute to the risk of mold or mildew or the accumulation of dust mites in a mattress (see post #10 here ).
• Some Foundations have attachable legs of various heights to raise them off the floor, but they are typically placed on a wooden or metal bed frame. It comes in various height options that allow the surface of the mattress to be at a certain height.

Caution: Before purchasing a mattress foundation/base it is important to always check with the mattress manufacturer to ensure that the support system is suitable for your mattress and doesn’t void its warranty.

The irreversible change of foam/rubber material properties during exposure to a deteriorating environment, for a specified time interval.

A substance capable of producing a cellular structure via an expansion process (foaming) in a variety of materials that undergo phase transition or hardening. The expanding agent in the production of flexible PU foam is CO2 which results in the reaction between the isocyanate and water.

A Wire Grid Foundation, or a metal grid foundation, is a mattress foundation made of a series of wire pulled vertically over slats, creating a grid across the mattress base. Mattress foundations are an important part of the sleeping system and are what support the mattress and people on the mattress.

A Wooden Bedframe is a common option when choosing a mattress foundation. Wooden bedframes can be made of slats or as a platform bed. Bedframes are an important part of the sleeping system and are what support the foundation, mattress, and people on the mattress.