Mattress CoilsIf you’re in the market for a mattress, you’re probably concerned with factors like size, price, and the softness of the cushioning and ticking. But another important factor in choosing a new mattress is the coils. Coils, essentially spirals of wire, are the very heart of a good mattress, and their number, arrangement and style are what give a mattress its particular level of firmness. To pick a mattress that supports your back and body properly, it’s essential to know your coils.
Formerly a Sales Representative for the Simmons Company, the world’s largest mattress manufacturer, Pawn Kongkosonkichkan is currently a Bedding Trainer with Rich’s-Macy’s/Lazarus/Goldsmiths in Atlanta. Here he gives us some facts about mattress coils:
- Innersping coils reduce motion.
If you toss and turn a lot, or if your partner does, you should consider choosing a mattress with innerspring coils. This will help eliminate motion within your mattress, thus reducing the effect of moving your body in the night.
- All coils are not alike.
There are many different shapes and arrangements of mattress coil. In some mattresses, a whole row of coils will be made of one continues piece of wire; in others, each coil is a separate wire. Some coils are shaped like hourglasses, while others are cylinders. In addition, some coil wire is high gauge, while other mattresses use a lower gauge wire.
- Find what works for you.
The bottom line is that no one type of coil or configuration is best overall; each consumer must find what works best for his or her own body. Sleep support is an individual matter, so you’ll have to test a lot of mattresses before you find the coil formula that gives you the support you need.
- Look for high coil counts.
Mattress coils help to support your body while you sleep. The more coils you have, the better the mattress can contour to your individual body shape, giving you a more restful night’s sleep.
- Know your coil minimums.
A full size mattress should have a minimum of 300 coils. A queen should have 375, and a kind should have 450 coils.
- Choose a brand first.
Because coils are only one part of a quality mattress, Kongkosonkichkan believes that coil count is really only important when comparing mattresses of the same brand. In other words, don’t try to compare two completely different mattresses based solely on their coil counts. Choose a good brand first, and then, as you step up the line or products within the brand, the coil count should increase.
For more information about choosing and caring for mattresses and box springs, check out the following organizations or websites:
The Better Sleep Council
www.bettersleep.org
Epinions.com: Choosing a Mattress
www.epinions.com
Corpus Christi Caller-Times: How to Choose a Mattress
www.caller2.com
Sealy: The Do’s and Don’ts of Mattress Care
www.sealy.com
Serta: Mattress Tips
www.serta.com
Marketplace: Mattresses
www.cbc.ca | 
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