“Foam Mattress” is one of the most searched Internet terms in bed shopping. Many people who have always slept on innerspring mattresses have become dissatisfied with their bed’s performance and wonder if a foam mattress might solve their problems. Within the mattress industry, a few companies have put forth a concerted effort to transform the foam mattress into a mainstream product. As a result, people are not only more aware of foam mattresses, but consider them a good alternative.

People interested in foam mattresses are looking for the following:

• Better performance—more comfort, support, and durability
• Greater contact pressure relief, especially if chronic joint or back pain is an issue
• More stability—a mattress that dampens motion transfer and facilitates uninterrupted co-sleeping
• Eliminating the need for a box spring

Many people seek a foam mattress as an alternative to traditional innerspring mattresses not realizing that both contain the same kind of foam. Polyurethane foam is used to cushion coil mattresses, and it is commonly used in foam mattresses. Unfortunately, the performance issues associated with polyurethane foam can plague both mattress options.

Foam Mattress Pros and Cons

Made the right way, a foam mattress offers excellent motion damping. You’ll never feel your bedmate toss and turn.  Good quality foams also can offer excellent combinations of contour and support while maintaining durability. On the other hand, an all-foam mattress is unadvisable for anyone who sleeps hot. Some foams are worse than others, but as a general rule, all-foam mattresses sleep hotter than combination innerspring and foam mattresses due to less air circulation. The lack of airflow can also promote the growth of a mold or mildew when foam mattresses are placed on solid platform foundations.

Mattress Foam Varieties: Some Important Distinctions

Here are the factors you need to consider when looking for a foam mattress:

Density: A light foam will typically wear more quickly and provide less support. The denser and heavier the foam is, the more durable and supportive it’s going to be.

Elasticity: Foam should be elastic (stretchy). This way, it’s able to map to your body and support you while reducing contact pressure. Stiff foams sag and develop areas where increased contact pressure occurs.

Environment: Some foams are natural. Most aren’t. A natural foam choice would be a 100% natural latex foam, which is derived from rubber. Common synthetic foams include polyurethane and memory foam. These are made entirely out of synthetic materials and contain fillers, additives, and adhesives made with chemicals that off-gas. This can be harmful for the environment and detrimental to your health.

Health: Some foams, like synthetic polyurethane, invite the growth of mold and mildew and the colonization of dustmites. Other foams, like natural latex, prevent or discourage these events. For people with allergies, a bed’s ability to repel allergens can become a crucial decision-making factor.

The European Sleep Works Foam Mattress

• We use only washed, natural latex, free from chemical additives such as formaldehydes, bromides, and PBDE’s (Polybrominated diphenal ethers, which are used in fire retardants)
• Our latex foam is Oeko-Tex infant-class certified natural latex, which means our product is safe, even for babies
• The 8" All-Latex mattress is made with a Dunlop latex (denser) base and a Talalay (softer) top, a perfect balance of support and comfort
• Our latex foam is manufactured in Holland and Malaysia in factories with rigorous standards; the latex is washed extensively, and quality control is always of paramount importance