Glossary
A
- A
- A good night’s sleep.
- Adjustable Bases
- Remote controlled electric beds. Electric beds offer many benefits for people with a range of medical complaints which require raised sleeping positions, raised legs or just getting in and out of bed.
B
- Bedsteads
- Also known as Bed Frames. Manufactured in wood, metal, upholstered or any combination of these.
- Bonnell Spring
- Also known as open coil. The most widely used Spring Option in mattresses.
D
- Density
- Foam mattresses are produced from different densities of foam to achieve various levels of support.
E
- Edge
- Sprung edge divan base – acts like a giant shock absorber increasing the mattress’s durability.
F
- Foam
- Foam mattresses are particularly suitable for slatted bases and adjustable beds.
G
- Gauge
- The measured thickness of the wire used in a coiled spring.
H
- Handles
- Handles are intended to position a mattress correctly on base, they are not designed to carry the full weight of a mattress.
I
- Individual Pockets
- Pocket springs are individual springs, housed separately, to give best overall support.
J
- Joined Together
- Two single mattresses of different tension may be joined together using a zip and link system.
K
- King Size
- King Size is normally 5’0″ wide by 6’6″ long.
L
- Latex Foam
- Latex is a natural product derived from the sap of the rubber tree. Latex has good elasticity and may benefit allergy sufferers.
M
- Memory Foam
- Visco elastic or memory foam, as it is more commonly known, has pressure relieving qualities and is body heat responsive.
- Mohair
- A natural fibre used in mattresses for added luxury.
N
- Natural
- Latex foam is a natural product derived from the sap of the rubber tree.
- Non Turn
- Non turn mattresses are designed to be used only on one side. Rotation is recommended.
O
- Open Coil
- Open coil or open spring, also known as bonnell spring.
- Ottoman Divan
- A platform top is hinged to the base allowing access to almost all of the underbed area.
- Overlays
- Some mattresses are manufactured with a fixed pillow top, usually on ‘no turn’ designs.
P
- Pillow Top
- Some mattresses are manufactured with a fixed pillow top, usually on ‘no turn’ designs. Also known as an overlay.
- Pocket Springs
- Pocket springs are individual springs, housed separately, to give best overall support. Allow little or no transmission of movement between sleeping partners.
Q
- Quilt
- Quilting is a decorative effect attaching the outer fabric to the surface fillings.
R
- Reinforced Sides
- Support around the border of the entire mattress.
- Rotate
- Non-turn mattresses should be rotated regularly.
S
- Sleeping Partners
- Sleeping partners should be able to lie side by side, with their arms behind their head, without the elbows touching.
- Suitability
- Ensure the mattress you choose has the correct base eg. Is it suitable for a bedstead?
T
- Ticking
- The fabric that covers the mattress.
- Tufting
- Tapes are passed through the mattress at regular intervals and secured with a tag.
V
- Visco Elastic
- Commonly known as memory foam. Shape recovers when heat and pressure are removed.
W
- Wool
- Often used in mattress filling. Luxurious and breathable.
Z
- Zoned
- Spring interior mattresses can be ‘zoned’ across the middle to give extra support or around edge to give extra rigidity.