Latex Mattresses And Memory Foam Difference

Latex mattresses have been around for awhile but are just recently becoming affordable and available to the general public. You have likely seen an advertisement or two or heard a friend talking about latex mattresses, and chances are you have some questions about them.

This article will introduce you to the basic facts and benefits of latex foam and answer some common questions people have while shopping for latex mattresses.

How is a latex bed different from a standard spring mattress and how will it benefit me? Well a latex mattress is very different from a spring mattress.

First of all, a latex bed contains only latex foam. No springs, coils, padding, or filler materials so latex can last 4 or more times longer than a spring mattress. Since the bed is all foam, there are no painful springs to poke and pinch. These springs cause pressure point and sores, poor circulation and tossing and turning, muscle pain and back pain. Traditional mattresses place all of the body weight on the hips and shoulders leaving the lower back unsupported and the spine misaligned. Latex foam spreads the body weight evenly across the surface which supports spinal alignment and reduces pressure points. In addition to being body friendly, natural latex is environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Also, natural latex does not contain the potentially harmful chemicals found in traditional mattresses.

What are latex mattresses made out of? Natural latex is produced from rubber latex trees in a manner similar to the way maple syrup is extracted. Liquid latex is not tree sap, but rather a liquid which exists in the layer between the bark and wood. Latex foam can be either all natural, all synthetic or a blend of the two.

Most mattress will contain a blend of natural and synthetic latex as this is the most price efficient way to produce a quality bed. The downfall of blended latex compared with natural is that it is no longer biodegradable and chemical free. Natural latex is the most desirable but is more expensive to make.

What are the differences between the types of latex? There are two different ways to make latex foam, the Dunlop method and Talalay method. The original method is the Dunlop process in which the liquid latex is whipped to a foam with air and sulfur, poured into molds, and then vulcanized, another term for heated, until the foam is set.

The Talalay process is a bit more involved. Basically, the foam is poured to partially fill an airtight mold, and then the air is vacuumed out of the chamber causing the foam to rise to the surface. CO2 is then used to freeze the foam in place, after which it is heated to set the shape. The latex is then thoroughly washed to remove trace chemicals. The Talalay method produces a more consistent and even foam, while Dunlop tends to be denser and can have inconsistencies. Many recommend using Dunlop foam as mattress cores and the Talalay foam for the top comfort layers.

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