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What Is The Normal Thickness of a Mattress & Boxspring?

Doug Belleville — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 14:32:04 +0000

If you wanted to know exactly what the thickness is for a coil spring mattress, I am afraid your are going to get a unclear answer. We are going to give you some idea of thickness you can anticipate when buying a new mattress.

Common Normal Mattress sizes and the measurement of thickness:
Twin Mattress thickness often ranges anywhere from 5 inches to over 20 inches thick
Full Mattress thickness can vary between 5 inches to over 20 inches in thickness
Queen Mattress thickness can go anywhere from 5 inches to over 20 inches thick
King Mattress thickness is often between 5 inches to over 20 inches thick

As you can see there is a wide variety of mattress heights. The reason that mattress thickness varies from brand to brand and mattress model to mattress model is primarily do to support levels, quality, and comfort. Mattress manufacturers look to hit popular consumer price points and comfort levels. This is America and in America, free market businesses are going to be competitive and offer lots of choices.

Mattress models ranging in thickness from 10 to 14 inches thick are the most acceptable to mattress buyers. As shown above traditional coil spring mattresses can range from about 5 inches to well over 20 inches in thickness. Yes, I said 20 inches. However do not fear, bedding manufacturers looking to make a buck are on the ball and are making special sheets, mattress pads, and bed spreads to fit these new thick mattresses. If you have problems finding the correct mattress thickness be sure to contact a mattress store.

How To Lower A Tall Mattress & Boxspring

Doug Belleville — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 13:08:02 +0000

Mattress shoppers often complain that today’s beds are way too tall, it is a problem all across the country. So what can you do to lower a mattress and boxspring that is sitting so far off the floor? Lower it of course. How can you lower a mattress and foundation enough that your feet won’t dangle or you don’t have to climb up a ladder to get into it?

Here are a couple straightforward solutions

Use a Low Profile Boxspring
Change out your regular steel bed frame for a Low Profile Steel Bed Frame
Buy thinner mattress (May not be the best solution)

If you are using an old time bed that will not accommodate today’s thicker mattress sets, a combination of the low profile steel bed frame, low profile boxspring and a thinner mattress may be your only solution. This combination could lower the mattress set 12 inches or more putting the bed at a more reasonable height off of the floor.

With today’s thicker beds your mattress set could be sitting 27,30, or even 34 inches or more off the floor you are probably wondering what you can do with such ridiculously tall beds.

One quick and easy fix is a low profile boxspring, which is available in heights usually ranging from 4inches to 6 inches; where as traditional boxsprings usually measure 7 inches to 9 inches.

Another option is a steel bed frame, which can be purchased in a low profile version and are usually the cheapest and most simple way to lower your existing bed. The height of your bed with this type of bed frame drops both the mattress and boxspring about 3 to 4 inches depending on the steel bed frame manufacturer.

One last solution is to buy a thinner mattress. You can find thinner mattress models ranging in thickness between 7 to 12 inches. However be careful when purchasing thinner mattresses, although they are often cheaper, they are usually less padded, less comfortable, and less durable. This is a very bad combination for a mattress that will be used everyday.

Not sure what to do, how to do it, or will it work? Contact a mattress store that specializes in lowering mattresses and boxsprings.

11 Important Questions Answered About The Queen Size Split Boxspring

Doug Belleville — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:45:36 +0000

Is there such a thing as a split queen boxspring or a split queen foundation? Yes, mattress manufacturers make split boxsprings and split foundations.
Where can you find a queen split boxspring? Virtually any mattress store has availability to or can order the two-piece boxspring.
Do mattress retailers stock split box springs? Most mattress retailers will need to order one of these for you. They can take anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks to special order.
What are the measurements of a split queen boxspring? Each half of the split queen boxspring or split foundation should measure 30 x 80 for a total width of 60 inches and a total length of 80 inches.
Can a one-piece queen sized boxspring be cut in half? Yes, it’s your boxspring, so you can do what you want to it. The problem is that you could ruin the support unit and would most definitely void any warranty you might have from the mattress company, not only on the boxspring but the matching mattress.
Why do mattress manufactures make split queen boxsprings and split foundations? Queen boxsprings are specially made in two pieces to fit through low clearance stairways, staircases, and to go around tight turns that a normal one-piece queen box spring could not fit through.
How strong are split queen boxsprings compared to one-piece boxsprings? The truth is that the split queen boxspring will actually be a little stronger due to the extra wood and steel that is needed to build each piece. Other than the previously mentioned overall it is safe to say that there should be very little difference when comparing a one-piece boxspring vs. a two-piece boxspring.
Do queen split boxsprings and foundations come in low profile? Yes they do. We recommend contacting the dealer for the specific height of the low profile split box spring because this measurement can vary from brand to brand and dealer to dealer.
What is the cost of a split queen boxspring? This can vary between mattress retailers, but it is generally safe to say that $50.00 to $200.00 additional to the cost of a traditional 1-piece queen boxspring is reasonable. This can vary widely due to varied construction between brands.
Can I use a bed skirt or dust ruffle on a split queen boxsprings? Absolutely nothing has changed in width and length dimensions therefore you can continue to use your existing bedding.
Do I need special supporting steel bed frame for a split queen box foundation or boxspring? Yes, you need to make sure that not only both ends of the box spring are properly supported but the middle is supported as well. This will keep the two halves from falling to the floor.

Tell us any creative solutions you might have, that could substituted in place of a queen split boxspring.

8 Helpful Hints For Proper Mattress And Boxspring Care

admin — Wed, 28 May 2008 20:33:42 +0000

Change your sheets at least once a week
Absorbent and breathable sheets not only feel good, but they can minimize perspiration stains on a mattress while allowing your body to breathe properly throughout the night. Absorbent fabrics offer additional protection to the mattress from sweat and all the icky stuff. We recommend cleaning bed sheets a minimum of once a week to reduce mattress smell.
Use a stain resistant mattress pad and clean it at least once a month
Today a person can buy a breathable mattress pad that will protect the mattress from stains such as perspiration, body oils, and bodily fluids while meeting the terms of the factory mattress warranties. Use of a good mattress pad can minimize mattress smell.
Vacuum your mattress at least once a month
By frequently vacuuming a mattress and boxspring with a vacuum cleaner a great deal of the dust, dirt and allergens can be extracted if done regularly. This can also help keep the mattress from smelling.
Turn your mattress end-to-end 180 degrees
Most people wear their body weight from the shoulders to the hips, if you do not spin the mattress from end to end the area where you sleep will work harder than the foot end of the mattress causing uneven wear. Mattress rotation will not stop body impressions, however it will minimize them. The rotation of your mattress gives the layers of foam and upholstery a chance to recover.
Consider having it professionally cleaned
On site mattress sanitizing or cleaning is available simply Google those terms or look it up in you local phone book.
If applicable, turn the mattress completely over
Most mattresses today cannot be turned over. If you are lucky enough to still own a two-sided mattress turn it over once a month. This will give the foam and materials a chance to bounce back. For most folks the old days of flipping a mattress are nearly gone.
If you have a flexible boxspring rotate it 180 degrees
Turning a boxspring end to end promotes even wear and can extend the life of your mattress. Note many boxsprings today are not flexible and most people believe simply turning the boxspring from head end to the foot twice a year may attain additional life from a boxspring.
Purchase a new mattress more frequently
- Know when to recognize the useful life of the mattress and boxspring has been exhausted. Although the more costly route both, one sided and two sided beds in a new fresh state can give your body great support and a healthy sleeping environment. Unfortunately a mattress does wear out which contributes to loss of support for the back and reduced comfort. Not only that but mattresses do get dirty which contributes to an unhealthy sleep environment.
- A one-sided mattress will generally last around 6 years while a two-sided mattress tends to last longer in excess of 8 years. Keep in mind warranty is not an indicator of how long a bed should last. A person needs only to dollar cost average their purchase to realize what a true value a mattress and boxspring really is.
- Not sleeping in the same mattress for 20 years can do more for your repertory health than you might think, ask your physician.

Did we miss anything? How do you do to keep your mattress clean and comfy? Leave your comment below or email us.

What is a Boxspring and What Does it Really Do?

admin — Wed, 07 May 2008 20:42:55 +0000

Here is a recent question we received via email:

Is a boxspring worth the extra money and does it help the mattress last?

Well for many years the answer was yes. However you might be surprised at the answer; in this article we’ll take a closer look at what a boxspring is, and what it really can do.

Many years ago a mattress would lie on a simple platform others were suspended by ropes, and then along came the mattresses mate, the box spring. It was the theoretical shock absorber for your sleep system. The idea that a box spring lengthens mattress life and gives the mattress and body additional support has been the salesman’s pitch, but does it really? It seems that box springs and our thinking have changed quite a bit since early mattress sets and we’ll show you how, but first you must understand the old way of thinking.

According to the Better Sleep Council “the mattress and the boxspring is designed to work together as an integral set and were engineered as such”. The council goes on to say that “the boxspring or today the more commonly called foundation receives most of the wear & tear throughout the mattress life. The boxspring is the key component and is by and large the contributing factor to mattress comfort and overall support. Placing a new mattress upon an old box spring, or pairing it with a mismatched foundation that it was not originally designed to work with, may shorten the beds functional life significantly. Putting a board between the boxspring and mattress will reduce comfort and shorten overall mattress life along with possibly voiding the manufacturers warranty.

The above paragraph is true. Unfortunately the most common of today’s box springs are designs like the Leggett & Platt SEMI-FLEX™ or the Hickory Springs’ zero deflection PowerStackTM. Both of these designs have virtually no give or absorption ability when compared to the traditional coil box spring and various other torsion bar designs offered just a few years ago. Not only that but these new “box springs” have significantly less steel in them. This lack of steel in the box spring makes itself evident from the moment you pick one up; there is little weight or beefiness to its design.

Other new “boxsprings” actually are what is called a foundation. It is a simple design that consists normally of a lightly framed wood box. They also use horizontal wood slats that span the overall width of the boxspring helping to distribute weight. Often lying across the top of wood slats is a sheet of cardboard that is covered with upholstery.

It is my opinion that “boxsprings” of the non-flexible designs neither flex nor do they extend the useful life of a mattress. I also feel that non and semi flexible “boxsprings” do not contribute to mattress support. It will however transfer less disturbances from one person to another. Many people believe that anything with steel is going to be stronger overall, but that is untrue, there are very good quality wood foundations on the market that can outperform the so called “boxsprings” so be sure to do your home work. So the question is this, are “boxsprings” really stronger and do they make a bed last longer? Well many people would say no. I think it is easy to see it depends on what the definition of a “boxspring” really is

We have a great selection of box springs – even all natural box springs. Browse our selection today and let us know how we can help you find the perfect fit for your body.