Spring mattresses have been the pinnacle of sleeping technology for a long time, and for a good reason.

Spring mattresses have been giving us a good night’s sleep since the early 1800’s. Since then, industry trends have come and gone, but the trusty spring designed mattress has endured.

As an Australian, family-owned and operated business since 1991, Chiropedic Mattresses has seen more than our fair share of mattress trends come and go. One such trend has been cropping up lately — a foam mattress, easy to transport, squeeze, roll or compress in the boot of your car.

Foam mattresses, in hot demand across Australia, are made from a visco-elastic material. It means the mattress changes shape and reverts to its original form afterwards. Instead of having a traditional, spring-form, bouncy feel, memory foam responds slowly to pressure.

Before rushing out to buy the latest trend you’ll be sleeping on for the next couple of years, here are some of the considerations we think are essential to take into account.

The problem with foam mattresses

While foam mattresses offer some great performance characteristics like density, motion transfer control, and contour; they often have some significant problems, particularly when companies opt for budget materials.

The type of foam used in a memory foam mattress is probably the biggest determiner when it comes to price point and quality. Polyfoam is a common material used in budget memory foam mattresses, but this type of material degrades quickly, leaving you with little support and a sagging mattress.

Similarly, the density of foam materials used in the mattress has a massive impact on the durability and lifespan of a foam mattress.

To top it off, often foam mattresses retain heat and have restricted airflow due to the lack of breathability. This can lead to discomfort at night, especially during hot Australian summers.

The benefits of spring mattresses

Spring mattresses are considered the most traditional type of mattress, with innerspring beds covered by upholstery materials, like fibre or foam. Often, spring mattresses will have zones of coils to suit different pressure points of the body.

The coils create a firm core that won’t sag as quickly as other materials.

What you should put a premium on

Price point vs. durability

The price point of spring mattresses correlate to the expected lifespan and durability of the bed. The most budget-friendly options will last around three to five years, but the more expensive and luxury models, should you be willing to invest, will last up to a decade with proper care.

Coil count

The better spring mattresses will have a higher coil count, layers of coils or zones of coils in order to apply the right pressure to different points of the body. Higher coil counts can provide better support and contouring, so when shopping for your mattress, try to select a mattress with a coil count of at least 400 for a Queen, and 480 for a King.

Coil wire gauge

Coil wire gauge refers to how thick each coil’s wire is within the mattress. As a general rule, low-gauge coils are thinner with a springier, softer feel, and high-gauge coils are thicker with firmer push-back and more durability. But springs with a smaller centre diameter can have a low-gauge wire but provide a firmer feel and are stronger due to the increased coil count in the full spring system.

Other add on’s and layers for comfort

Layers of fabric or gels:

Comfort layers give you the best of both: the support and durability of a spring mattress, and the custom comfort level best suited to you.

• Natural latex layer provides excellent resilience and stops sagging. Latex is also anti-bacterial and anti-microbial, providing a healthier night’s sleep.
• Gel offers you a temperature neutral layer and often cooling effect, great for hot sleepers and extra-comfort during hot summer nights.
• Visco memory foam can help relieve aches and pains overnight, by displacing pressure along the body. That means you’re able to get the comfort of a foam mattress as well as the durability and support of a spring mattress.

Additionally, plush layers of fabrics give your mattress a more luxurious, premium feel. Layers of cotton, wool, and bamboo are some of the other factors to consider.

We can help you find the best spring mattress for you. Visit us in one of our 9 stores across Victoria, or shop for mattresses 

In the battle between foam and spring mattresses, we take a look at a comparison

The victor in the battle between spring mattresses and foam mattresses is one that you will have to choose. After all, it’s you (and perhaps a special person or four-legged friend), who will be spending every night on it.

Chiropedic Mattresses‘ have been manufacturing mattresses out of their Braybrook factory in Victoria since 1991. As one of Australia’s only family owned and operated mattress manufacturers and retailers, we’re passionate about finding your dream sleep partner.

What are the key differences between foam and spring?

Spring pros:

• Established
• Credited with superior support
• Credited with durability
• Sleeps cool
• No break in period

Spring cons:

• Some older mattresses require flipping
• Some noise from inferior or older models

Foam pros:

• Anti-microbial
• Credited with even distribution of support

Foam cons:

• Sleeps hot
• Expensive
• Needs a break in period
• Odour

8 things to consider before you decide on foam vs spring

There’s a lot to decide on when you’re weighing up between a foam mattress and a spring mattress. To make your decision easier, we’ve broken down everything you should consider before you buy a mattress.

1. Reliability

Spring mattresses have been taking care of our sleep since the 1800’s. The spring model involves metal coils within its frame, which can also be wrapped in fabric and layered with a variety of materials for comfort and further support.

As the reigning king of mattress choices, it’s still a popular choice among buyers who want the best, reliable option for their bed.

2. Support

Spring mattresses have widely been credited for superior support, as they are designed to ease the human body into a relaxed state while relieving pressure points.

Different “zones” of spring resistance support and provide comfort levels to each of the different pressure points of your body—the head, lower back/hips, calves/feet—are all supported through higher resistance springs. Different pressure relief is provided for the shoulders/upper back and knees/calves with lower resistance springs.

Memory foam mattresses take some time to respond to your body shape and conform to your sleeping style, thus giving you support as you rest.

Foam mattress advocates will argue quality foam mattresses can relieve pressure points by letting the body sink into the structure, and mould support around a particular person.

3. Comfort

The breathable environment of spring mattresses prevents body heat retention and allows air to circulate more freely. There is also no break-in period with these mattresses.

The compact structure of a foam mattress is credited for prohibiting dust mites and bacteria to travel further down the mattress.

Some memory foam mattresses will retain heat due to their structure. Layers of foam act as a barrier between your skin and fresh air, causing all your body heat and sweat to sit next to you. Some more high-quality, modern mattresses have somewhat solved this problem by using cooling technologies or mechanisms (e.g. gel memory foam).

4. Longevity

Spring mattresses generally last anywhere upwards of 5 years, dependent on the build of the mattress and care. High-grade steel coils and can assist with your mattresses longevity.

Similarly, investing is a high-quality foam mattress means they can last between 10-15 years.

5. Maintenance

Spring mattresses are best maintained when they are rotated every 3-6 months to avoid just placing pressure in one area.

Foam mattresses and spring mattresses should be maintained in the same way, so you should also flip foam mattresses every 3-6 months. However, a cheaper memory foam mattresses often emits a chemical smell. Foam mattresses often contain a polyurethane foam that is synthetic and contains chemicals. These aren’t necessarily dangerous for you, however, there are things called Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are responsible for the chemical smell that comes from foam mattresses.

6. Sound

This is a bit of a myth that we can put to bed once and for all. The sound of spring coil mattresses are a bit of a myth from only one mattress: Sleepmaker Miracoil. Luckily for your ears, modern spring mattresses don’t actually produce any sound.

7. Costs

In order to invest in memory foam mattresses, you’ll have to spend a bit more upfront. Spring mattresses come in a wide variety of cost points, all of which have pros and cons.

8. How you sleep

If you’re a side, back or front sleeper will affect what kind of mattress best suits you. Talk to an expert in mattresses to understand which mattress firmness works best for your sleep style.

Which mattress is best for you?

You should always do your research, test mattresses in store, and pick the mattress you’re most comfortable with. In our opinion, spring mattresses tick more boxes in terms of comfort, support, durability, and longevity.

We’d love to help you find your dream sleep partner. Take a look at our mattresses online to see our range of spring mattresses. It’s important to try a mattress before you buy, which is why we have 7 mattress stores across Victoria.