Put Some Spring in Your Sleep

by: Michael O'Brien

The age of cyberspace provides us with seemingly unlimited amounts of information on every subject imaginable. Consumers can research products and services without ever leaving the comforts of home. A major purchase such as an automobile or home appliance drives many folks online to research every available model, option and most importantly price. With commuting times getting longer we do spend an increasingly greater amount of time out cars. The average American, driving to work, spends about 700 hours a year in the car. The fact is that we spend only a fraction of our time in our cars compared to the amount of time we spend in bed.

Whether we know it or not, we spend a significant amount of our lifetime in bed. On average, Americans spend almost 3,000 hours a year in bed. That’s over 800 hours per year more than average American spends at work! So in the age of cyberspace, it pays to research your next bedding purchase with the same determination as may be spent researching the best deal on that new washer/dryer or family sedan.

The most common sleep system purchase is still the traditional innerspring mattress and box spring or other foundation. Memory foam and latex sleep systems are gaining in popularity but the old innerspring stand-by still rules the mattress world. Many consumers would do well to study up on today’s sleep systems before they shop and familiarize themselves with the terminology associated with mattress construction.

The basic measure of a traditional innerspring mattress is the spring count. The spring count generally refers to the number of coil springs that make up the guts of the mattress. As a general rule of thumb the higher the spring count, the more expensive the mattress. The thickness of the spring wire is also an important consideration and should be no less than 14 mils. the lower the number the thicker the spring wire. The thickness of the spring wire is very important in determining how firm or soft the mattress feels. Some manufacturers tout the spring count of their mattresses but all the springs in the world won’t make up for too thin of a spring wire.

The type of foundation is also important. A quality box spring unit can add live to the mattress and save money in the long run. Again the spring count and thickness of the spring wire is key since putting an expensive mattress on an inexpensive box spring defeats the purpose.

So while the fabric may look nice and the price may be right, take the time to try out the mattress before you buy and are sure about your choice. You may spent a lot of time in the car but time spent in bed is important for a good night’s sleep and a healthy life.

About the Author

Michael O'Brien