Mattress Firmness Frequently Asked Questions. . . .

I have a bad back, do I need a firm mattress?
No. A good mattress should result in perfect posture, the tension is personal preference. This can vary and some people have specific requirements that dictate their selection. If in doubt, contact us to discuss your requirements.

What is Orthopaedic?
Orthopaedic is a term derived from the Greek words Orthos ("Correct", "Straight") and Paideion ("Child"). The terms give a hint at what an Orthopaedic mattress or bed should offer - perfect posture. In short, a good mattress should provide perfect posture, which results in a straight spine. This allows the fluids in the body to move freely and will prevent the body weight from focussing on one area, causing pain.
In much the same way as being on your feet all day results in sore feet, sleeping on an unsupportive mattress can focus the energy transfer of body weight through one particular area, resulting in aches and pains in the morning (most commonly the lower back, which gradually improves as the day goes on).
A good mattress will maintain good posture, this is a true Orthopaedic mattress. A common misconception is that a Firm mattress is Orthopaedic, this is not true. The firmness should be personal preference.
Of course, it is not always as simple as this, so if you have any questions or queries about your particular needs, then please contact us.

What is the Firmest Mattress I can buy?
Very Firm mattresses are becoming more and more common, mainly due to the misconceptions about the term Orthopaedic (see above). We do supply many firm mattresses, be they Memory Foam, Latex or Sprung. Please contact us to discuss the options in full.

Why do some shops and Websites simply state Soft, Medium or Firm?
Because this is normally the only guidance given by the manufacturer. We have developed a more accurate way or measuring the firmness. Please remember that the firmness scale on our site is designed to be used as a guide. Some people will see a 7/10 on our scale as too firm, some will feel it is too soft. Also, some mattresses are so advanced, it is very difficult to sum their performance up with a number (for instance the surface may be a layer of soft Latex, but the core may be a strong Spring Unit).

Why are there not too many soft Mattresses?
Softer mattresses are available, but a super soft mattress can pose settlement problems in the long run. We only advertise and sell products we believe in, and often a super soft mattress will collapse over time, and create problems with posture.

Can I have one half of my mattress Soft, and the other side Firm or Medium?
Yes. There are several manufacturers that can produce Dual Tension mattresses, there are also bases which achieve the same aim. If you would like to know more about these options, then please contact us.

How do manufacturers make a mattress Firm or Soft?
This is normally achieved by altering the Gauge of the Springs in the mattress, the lower the Gauge number - the firmer the Spring. For more on the details of Gauges, please click here.
Another method of increasing Firmness is to Tuft the mattress, this increases the density of the fillings and binds the surface layers to the centre of the mattress. This process increases the tension of the surface of a mattress. For more on Tufting, click here.
Also, the bed base can alter the firmness of a bed. See below for more information.

How does my bed base affect the Firmness?
There are several types of bed base on the market, but there are only three main designs:
- Sprung (Open Coil, Pocket Sprung, Torsion etc). Adding an additional layer of Springs to a bed will result in more energy 'echoing' through the bed. This creates a slightly softer feel.
- Slatted (Sprung Slats or Solid Slats). A Slatted bed base is normally a feature of a Bedstead, but not always. This design is a traditional method of mattress support and allows the mattress to do most of the work. A slight curve to the slat will mimic the Sprung option - slightly. This will often leave the mattress firmness untouched.
- Platform Top (Solid Top, Board Base). This is a stable, solid platform for the mattress. Effectively allowing the mattress to do all of the hard work. A simple, robust and more affordable option with sometimes superior results. This will leave the mattress firmness untouched.

What is the most common Firmness?
7/10. Slightly Firmer than 'Medium'. This type of mattress offers support and still maintains a level of comfort for those who prefer a softer feel.


- Click Here to Shop by Firmness

- Click Here to see how we measure the Firmness