Product Help

We understand that it can be confusing purchasing a new bed or mattress, our product help is here to further your understanding of the technical and industry terms often used when describing a bed or mattress.

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What is memory foam?
What is latex?
What is foam?
What a pocket springs?
What is open coil?
Miracoil from Silentnight
Airsprung Spring Units
What is a platform base?
What is a sprung base?

What is memory foam?

Memory foam, generally known as visco-elastic, was originally developed by scientists in association with the N.A.S.A space project. Scientists were asked to invent a material that would absorb the tremendous pressures that astronaut's bodies were subjected to as they exited and re-entered the Earth's atmosphere.

The new foam-like material proved to be so successful that its potential was soon recognized by medical science. It is now the most effective substance for relieving pressure points caused by the weight of a human body in its relaxed state.

Subsequently it is now used in hospitals throughout the world to prevent pressure sores, which can easily develop when the body lies still for many hours i.e. during an operation. Its unique elastic properties allow it to automatically sense your body weight and temperature, it then responds by molding to your exact shape and position. When you turn in bed it quickly recovers and re-adjusts, providing you with total support throughout the night.
As an added benefit the structure of the visco elastic memory foam makes it impossible for dust mites to penetrate the mattress. This creates a cleaner and healthier environment ultimately providing the setting for a truly comfortable, therapeutic sleep. It is also ideal for those who suffer from airborne allergies and hay fever, as dust mites are one of the most common causes of allergies within the house.
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What is latex?

Latex in its natural form is a remarkable material, which is derived from the sap of rubber trees. It is known for its distinguishing elastic properties and durability. A latex mattress can be constructed of 100% latex or as a water-based latex (latex mixed with water). A latex mattress is the closest you can get to a memory foam mattress without paying for the visco elastic technology.
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What is foam?

Reflex foam is a standard foam that is used in virtually all mattresses, in varying depths. The foam is resistant to dust mites and is, therefore, ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers, as long as it is in a full block form and not in an open coil spring mattress. Although still comfortable they do not have the temperature sensitive benefits of the memory foam visco elastic mattresses.
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What is Pocket Sprung?

A Pocket sprung mattress is made up of individual springs that are covered in their own material and nested together inside the rod edge that holds them together, the spring count on a pocket sprung mattress range is 600, 800, 1000, 1200 1400, 1500 and 2000.
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What is an Open Coil?

Open coil spring units (Bonnell) are the most common type of springs used in a mattress. They come in different types of firmness. Soft, Medium and Firm. Technically referred to as, 13.5 Gauge - Soft mattress, 13.0 Gauge - Medium and 12.5 Gauge - Firm.
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Miracoil by Silentnight?

Through a unique spring system contained within both the Silentnight™ mattress and divan base, the Miracoil™ Spring System guarantees total support irrespective of your size and weight.

Silentnight's mattresses contain the company's famous Miracoil™ Spring System spring unit - ideal for use on a bedstead with a slatted base.

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Airsprung Spring Units?

	Each spring is sewn into an individual fabric pocket allowing each spring to move independently and respond to the body’s every movement and contour.
	Extra heavy 12.5 Gauge Bonnell spring for extra firmness and support.
	Extra heavy 12.5 Gauge Bonnell spring with an extra coil (Turn) to provide superior comfort and support.
	Two layers of Bonnell springs, twice as many as a traditional mattress, for extra firmness and support.
	13.5 Gauge spring system with high tensile wire for increased performance.
	Combining Duraspring and Supercoil spring units ideal for couples with different support preferences
	Featuring almost twice as many springs as a standard mattress that gives the feel and performance of a pocket mattress
	The Turn-Free collection features the very latest in bed technology. This revolutionary single-sided sleep system is perfect for today’s contemporary lifestyles. The innovative dual geometry design means that the springs are a different shape top and bottom. This enables the top of the spring unit to remain flexible whilst creating a highly stable foundation.
	Temperature Sensitive Visco Elastic Memory Foam, moulding to the contour of your body for the ultimate in comport and support.

What is a platform base?

A platform base is a divan without any springs and is firm. The construction of this type of base is generally a hard wood skeletal frame with hard board on the top and covered in a quilted material.
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What is a sprung base?

A sprung base has springs that cover the whole base from top to bottom and from side to side and is a softer option to the platform option. The construction of this type of base is generally a hard wood skeletal frame with hard board on the top and a layer of springs and covered in a quilted material.
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