Latex Mattress Pros And Cons
Your bed is all about comfort and choosing the mattress that gives you the best sleep every night is a dream come true. But is a latex mattress the ideal choice for you?
There is no other choice when considering a latex mattress but to weigh the pros and cons of using it. Buying one and deciding then and there if it’s a good fit is a waste of money and time.
What Is A Latex Mattress?
A latex mattress supports hypoallergenic and durable sleep by combining reflex/spring foam with latex foam. It is considered one of the most popular mattresses in the market because of its quality and eco-friendliness. And since it’s naturally hypoallergenic, people with allergy issues won’t have a problem using it.
Latex in its original form is rubber and it comes from tree sap that was discovered in the early 1900s and then patented latex mattress in 1920 by Scottish man John Boyd Dunlop.
This mattress material has evolved since then, and currently there are three types of latex mattresses offered on the market today.
Natural Latex: Natural latex is harvested and manufactured from rubber tree sap – a milky white fluid that becomes rubber. And the two types of natural latex foam offered today are Dunlop and Talalay.
The former is denser at the base while the latter has a more uniform density. If you’re going for something organic, Dunlop might be better but it also costs more.
Synthetic Latex: Can be labeled either as latex or all-latex, synthetic latex is created by using chemical compounds capable of imitating the experience of using genuine latex.
Of course, it wouldn’t be the same and with the use of these synthetic materials, it is less durable but would still remain hypoallergenic.
Blended Latex: Blended latex is a combination of the first two types of mattresses, mixing the best out of both natural and synthetic latex. This type is more affordable than natural latex and more durable than the synthetic kind.
If you want a more organic product thought, this may not be a good option since the synthetic portion of the blended latex is more than the natural portion.
Advantages Of A Latex Mattress
Considering a latex mattress would require checking out the benefits you will enjoy from using it. And it is popular in the market for a reason.
Durable: Latex mattresses are highly durable and naturally resilient. They easily bounce back once you remove the pressure off the mattress and maintain their shape even after years of usage.
Comfortable & Breathable: Latex mattresses are naturally springy and comfortable. Nothing beats the feeling of sinking on a thick mattress and feeling the material easily support your body.
Latex is also breathable because of its open-cell structure that allows good air circulation, as well as the pinholes constructed into the mattress. This makes it extremely comfortable to use.
You also don’t have to worry about perspiration and feeling damp while sleeping since it doesn’t trap body heat. And for an even cooler mattress, go for breathable types of bed sheets.
If you want a cool night of sleep, choose natural latex because the chemicals in the synthetic type can retain heat and could negate its breathable characteristic.
Pain-relieving: Latex mattresses offer gentle cushioning that can support people with joint and back pain. They cradle and contour the body, delivering just enough pressure to provide relief to your lower back and joints.
Hypoallergenic: One of the most popular features of a latex mattress is that it’s hypoallergenic. This means that it is safe for people with allergies.
Latex is naturally resistant to dust mites and molds, which are the main cause of the majority of the allergies you can experience inside the bedroom. With latex mattresses though, this won’t be a problem anymore.
Latex mattresses are also antimicrobial, capable of repelling harmful microorganisms and taking out the possibility of bacteria buildup in the mattress. They are the healthier option if you prefer a safe and fresh sleeping environment or you suffer from year-round allergies.
Promote Natural Spine Alignment: Latex is also resilient, and elastic enough that it can support your spinal alignment, from your back to your hips. This means that you are more comfortable when you sleep on the mattress.
Without the movement from the mattress when used, you won’t also experience disturbance while sleeping.
Environmentally-friendly: Biodegradable, latex mattresses are one of the most environmentally friendly foams on the market, as well as one of the most popular. The production of a latex mattress encourages tree growth primarily since you won’t need to damage or cut down trees in the process.
In fact, trees need to be allowed to freely grow without issues for 30 years just to be able to say that you’ve maximized the use of the said tree. This also means that for 30 years, these trees are able to contribute to the environment by converting carbon dioxide to oxygen.
No Smells and off-gassing: A latex mattress is known to have limited or almost no smells and off-gassing, which means that it won’t release chemical off-gassing but may have a bit of a latex rubber scent on it. This is excellent for people who have sensitive noses.
Easy to Maintain: Latex is easy to maintain, considering the fact that it’s antimicrobial and so you won’t need to be too rigid when it comes to sanitizing the mattress. And for single-sided mattresses, you won’t even need to flip them for maintenance.
Safer to Sleep On: Sleeping on latex is perfectly safe, considering its zero-metal content and no electromagnetic radiation you need to worry about. It does not have a metal spring coil and will be guaranteed that there’s no chance of getting poked by it.
Longevity (With Long Warranties): Latex, with its high durability, is known to have a long lifespan. In general, latex mattresses last up to 12 to 20 years while the really high-quality ones can last up to 12 to 20 years. And upon purchase, they also come with a long-term warranty that can extend up to 20 years.
Option of Going All-natural & Organic: With the different types of latex mattresses, you have the option of going all organic and natural. All-natural and organic mattresses are toxic-free and without any usage of metal. The tree sap harvested to make these mattresses are grown free from pesticide usage.
Disadvantages Of A Latex Mattress
Besides the incredible advantages you can benefit from, it is also important for you to consider the hassles that would come from choosing a latex mattress.
Expensive: Latex mattresses can be expensive and if you really want to have a high-quality one, you need to be ready to cough up money for it. And compared to polyurethane foam and coil mattresses, the difference can be steep.
Natural latex mattresses are particularly costly, with expensive materials that were needed for their creation. If you’re willing to pay for value and improved performance though, this may not be a problem.
Excessive Firmness – Bouncier: Latex is known to be durable but it’s also why it is firm in its construction. The downside with excessive firmness though is that it may not have the softness you are looking for. It can even be bouncier since it doesn’t absorb movement well from one side to another.
Heavy: When choosing bed sizes, you have to keep in mind that latex mattresses are heavy, and moving them from one place to another can be a herculean task.
The weight also depends on the type of latex and its density. The good thing though is that you don’t have to flip the mattress compared to coil spring mattresses.
Latex Mattress Cost
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Depending on the type and size of the latex mattress, the cost can range from $1,100 to $2,500 with an average of around $1,800. Hybrid latex mattresses can be more affordable costing around $,1,500 but pure natural mattresses are priced at $2,500.
Are Latex Mattresses Comfortable
Latex mattresses are guaranteed to be comfortable, with the mattress hugging your body for support with that soft sinking feeling you typically enjoy when using a mattress.
More than that though, latex is also known to be breathable and can prevent or reduce pain. These characteristics add to the comfort that the mattress can offer.
Is Latex Mattress Good For Health
Yes, latex mattresses are popular in the market because they are considered good for your health. They are hypoallergenic, anti-microbial, and resistant to molds and dust mites.
All-natural latex is also toxic-free and considered as safe to sleep on, along with the fact that it doesn’t have coil springs underneath.
Latex mattresses can also support your body and conform to its shape better than other mattresses. This makes it a good option for people having issues with back and joint pain, and even problems with their spinal alignment.
Is A Latex Mattress Durable
Yes, a latex mattress is durable and can take the wear and tear for years. It is able to maintain its shape and firmness even after years of usage. A high-quality all-natural latex mattress can last for up to 12 to 20 years on average.
Does A Latex Mattress Sag?
The latex mattress is known for its firmness and it effortlessly bounces back to its original shape when pressure is taken out. It is firmer in the first few days of usage but can also decrease in firmness with time. It is not known to sag though.
Do Latex Mattresses Sleep Hot Or Cool?
Latex mattresses are breathable, which means that they are built to account for airflow in their layers. Their ability to trap heat though depends on the type of latex used.
Natural latex mattresses have an open-cell structure that facilitates the circulation of air. There are also pinholes installed in them. Synthetic chemicals are known to retain body heat and so the more natural the latex mattress, the cooler it is.
Is Latex Good To Sleep On?
You can be assured to have a better night’s sleep when using latex since the mattress holds less heat so perspiration and feeling damp would not be a problem. It also excellently contours your body and offers enough support to your back. It even offers this hugging sensation that makes you feel incredibly comfortable when sleeping.
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