Glossary

• Deep Quilting

  Quilting is the stitching technique used to join or attach the mattress' surface layers of fibres to the surface material (the ticking). There are various different techniques which can be used to join these layers, but Quilting is common. Traditionally, Quilting offers a softer surface feel than Tufting as the layers are not held together so tightly. Also see Diamond Stitching or Micro Quilting for variations on Quilting.

• Foam Encapsulation

  Foam Encapsulation is a recent addition to the bedding market. An idea designed to offer greater edge-to-edge support as well offering greater Bedstead/Slatted base compatibility.
  
  The idea is simple; Create a spring unit and then sit it in a 'matchbox' of Foam. As you can see in the diagram below, the spring unit is surrounded on all sides by a layer of Memory Foam. This foam gives a solid, stable feel to the mattress and allows the spring unit to be completely separated from the mattresses fillings and cushion. 
  
  Once the spring unit is set in the foam and the foam glued together, it can be surrounded by fillings and fibre to create the traditional look for a mattress or can be given a Pillow Top for even more comfort.

• Hypoallergenic

  Put simply, Hypoallergenic materials do not cause the amount of irritation that non-hypoallergenic materials can. Hypoallergenic materials can still cause irritation in some cases, the chances of this are reduced greatly. People with severe allergies and asthma may still have problems with items called hypoallergenic, but the risk is greatly reduced.
  
  Hypoallergenic materials do not omit the same particles and fibres as other non-hypoallergenic materials. These particles are to blame for causing irritation and discomfort and in some cases the irritation can be dangerous. The Hypoallergenic properties of these materials can be created by number of techniques. Some materials (Memory Foam or Latex) are naturally hypoallergenic, others have been chemically treated.

• Memory Foam

  Memory Foam was invented by NASA in 1966. The idea was to improve the safety of aircraft cushions, but it was not long before th material was developed further and used in more and more products. Memory Foam is an open cell construction, which reacts to body heat and weight. The more heat applied, the softer the material gets. This, in turn, allows the weight applied to sink deeper. Memory Foam can be made at various densities to result in different tensions/firmnesses.

  The crucial element of Memory Foam is that it softens and moulds to the body shape. This ability allows for very accurate contour support and weight distribution. This ability makes Memory Foam a desirable material for mattresses. Some mattresses are completely Memory Foam, perhaps using different layers of various densities. Some mattresses use Memory Foam to compliment a Spring Unit.

  As Memory Foam requires heat to achieve its desired state, the heat is stored. Some people are not keen on Memory Foam as this heat can gradually build, resulting in a warm bed. However, this stereotype can be seen as outdated, as many manufacturers have solved the issue by applying new techniques to compliment the Foam. Techniques such as Outlast and Coolmax. Memory Foam is also Hypoallergenic and is therefore very popular with Asthma and Allergy sufferers.

• Pocket Sprung

  Pocket Sprung units are an adaption of the traditional open coil/continuous spring unit. By placing each spring in its own individual 'pocket' (a fabric sock-like pouch), the spring is not joined to any other part of the mattress. The pocket that supports the spring is then joined to its neighbouring pockets and this effect creates a unique feel.
  
  By creating a spring unit in this way, it allows the springs to move independently, rather than sharing the pressure with surrounding springs. This effect allows for much more accurate contour following and a more comfortable feel overall.
  
  If you were to push your hand into a traditionally sprung mattress, the area around your hand would dip/sink too. With Pocket Springs, this sunken area is much more remote and therefore more accurately follows the contours of the pressure source. There are differences in the techniques used to create Pocket Springs, but more or less they remain the same.

• Turn / No Turn

  Some mattresses require turning over, to aid even settlement. Others do not require turning, but will still require rotating.

• Zoning The idea behind Zoning is to offer support where it is needed. The body has certain areas under pressure when lying flat. Zones are designed to split the mattress into sections and offer some areas more support than others. The end result will be a straight spine and pressure relieved. Some mattresses are split into 3 Zones, some into 5 Zones and some into 7 Zones and so on. The principle areas requiring support (and therefore their own individual Zones) are the head, shoulders, hips and feet.  The spine should remain level as much as possible when lying on a mattress, therefore the areas with the most weight applied should be slightly firmer to allow for the extra loading. At the same time, the surrounding areas need to compensate for this and will not be as firm to allow the spine to remain straight. The Zoning may be created by simply adding more layers of fibres where needed, or a different type of spring in certain areas. In latex or foam mattresses, it is possible to vary the density of the foam or latex to create different tensions where required. Latex mattresses can also be sculpted in certain areas to remove latex and therefore make certain areas softer.