Since we sleep for a big part of our lives, the right mattress can significantly impact the quality of our work and relationships. Sure, they aren’t always cheap, but I’m sure we can agree that compromising sleep quality is a risky business! Spring and foam mattresses, in particular, have pros and cons, but which lasts longer?
Foam mattresses last longer than spring mattresses because they don’t have coils that weaken, rust, or break. Bodyweight and sleeping position create different degrees of sagging that affect the support, comfortability, and lifespan of a mattress. High-quality material better supports body weight.
Foam mattresses may last longer than spring mattresses, but understanding why can give you insights into extending the lifespan of your mattress. Let’s explore different coil types and how they correlate with body weight and sleeping positions. We’ll also consider the factors that influence the lifespan of memory foam.
Foam Vs. Spring Mattresses Life Expectancies
A quality foam mattress typically lasts longer than a spring mattress. On average, an innerspring mattress lasts six to seven years, while the average memory foam mattress lasts eight to ten years. An innerspring mattress has a higher chance of sagging as its coils wear out, which is a possibility in as little as three years if the coils are thin and low-quality.
We sleep for a third of our lifetime, so don’t opt for a cheap mattress! When you buy a high-quality mattress, you ensure a good night’s rest and a long-lasting mattress. Regularly rotating your mattress and employing a mattress protector can extend that number by as many as two or even three years.
How Do Coils Influence Mattress Lifespan?
How soon your mattress wears out gets affected by the position you sleep in and your body weight. Heavier sleepers may have early sagging, whereas side sleepers may experience severe sagging around the hips and shoulders. It often plays a vital role in determining when you decide to replace your mattress.
Spring Mattresses
A spring mattress consists of steel or metal springs surrounded by layers of other materials for added support and comfort. There are four coil types: Continuous, Bonnel, Off-set, and Pocket coils. They each offer varying levels of support plus different lifespan expectancies.
- Continuous/Connected coils encompass various coil types into a single mattress. These mattresses tend to be a bit more rigid, preventing the heavier parts of your body from sinking into the mattress. They’re perfect for stomach sleepers because the heaviest part of their body will be their hips.
On other mattresses, this becomes a problem because your back will over-arch as the hips sink further into the mattress. Connected coils will ensure your body is evenly balanced to prevent the heaviest point from sagging.
- Off-set coils have an hourglass shape since the coils’ top and bottom convolutions get flattened. These flat wire segments are hinged together with spiral wires during the assembly of the innerspring unit so that it can adjust to the body’s curvature.
- Bonnel coils have an hourglass form, with a narrower midsection and a wider top and bottom. The spring system consists of interconnecting springs with a metal mesh.
Despite its durability, Bronnell coils only exist in older mattresses since manufacturers make fewer of them due to pressure points and unequal motion transfer complaints.
- Pocketed / Marshal coils get sown into a piece of fabric and stacked with thousands of others to create a mattress. When you press down on the mattress, the coils underneath you compress in their pockets.
The coils on the far side of the bed do not connect to the area you pressed, meaning they don’t compress, and your spouse will be much less likely to experience motion. It also provides a softer experience, making this coil type deal for side-sleepers since their pressure points are at their hips and elbows.
Foam Mattresses
Unlike spring mattresses where you sleep on top ofthe bed, memory foam mattresses have you sleeping inside the mattress. They are particularly adept at relieving pressure on the shoulders and hips since they contour to the body’s shape while you sleep.
Foam mattresses experience sagging more than spring mattresses, especially with low-density foam mattresses. Thus, rotating a foam mattress at least once every six months is essential. The more times you spend sleeping in a particular position, the deeper your body will sink in that area of the mattress, and the greater the sagging effect.
How Do You Know When It’s Time For A New Mattress?
You don’t need in-depth mattress knowledge to evaluate the condition of your mattress! Consider these pointers to help you decide whether you should replace your mattress.
There Are Clear Signs Of Sagging And Indentation
You know it’s time for a new mattress when you’re rolling into the same spot. This one is probably the most noticeable when looking at your bed because it happens with all mattress types. The coils on a spring mattress start to wither and become less supportive, while excessive sagging on a foam mattress will leave a deep, clear indentation.
Your Coils Will Squeak And Reek
Noisy coils are indicative of weakening or rusty coils that are starting to show their age. Since beds collect mildew, mold, and other substances, the smell can indicate that you need a new mattress. Otherwise, if you can’t tell the difference, then consider smelling your mattress; our noses may not be our go-to for finding clarity, but they never lie.
Pay Attention To Allergens When You Wake Up
Mattresses can retain pollen, dust, and other debris that can have an adverse effect on your existing allergies. It is particularly telling when you feel fine throughout the day but have difficulty with allergies when you wake up.
Sleep Elsewhere To Get Confirmation
The most optimal solution is to sleep at a friend’s place or a hotel; if you wake up feeling completely different from when you sleep at home, it’s clear that you need a new mattress at home!
Conclusion
Memory foam mattresses last three to four years longer than spring mattresses. However, it doesn’t make spring mattresses obsolete; they are still preferable for people with certain sleeping positions. Bodyweight determines the rate of sagging and indentation, directly impacting the lifespan of a mattress.
Sources
- https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-long-should-a-mattress-last
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmSnDOj7Mf4
- 1https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mattress_coil
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUjqGRGJs7g
