Mattress Toppers

A mattress topper is an addition to a regular mattress and its aim is to provide some extra comfort or support. Mattress toppers have numerous claims made of them, but the primary ones are that they protect and enhance the performance of an existing mattress by adding an extra layer of a material like memory foam or latex foam.

Mattress toppers sit on top of an existing mattress and some are light and portable enabling use in different locations. Most modern toppers are made from memory foam (and sometimes Latex foam) and their purpose is to provide an additional layer of comfort, support and possibly warmth for the sleeper.

Many claim that mattress toppers can prolong the life of an older mattress, but this would seem unlikely. Mattress toppers are produced in sizes that can accommodate most standard single and double mattresses.

Mattress toppers are available in a number of materials from goose down and feathers, to latex or memory foam. There are many options available and many price ranges too.

Although many claims are made for mattress toppers, it seems highly improbable that they can add any genuine orthopedic characteristics to a mattress. As such, mattress toppers should not be purchsed for this purpose alone.

Selecting a mattress topper

Since there are several materials used in different mattress toppers, there are no fixed criteria for determining what to look for, or what makes up the best topper. The following points may however give you some ideas.

• Good quality visco memory foam mattress toppers typically weigh in the region of 4lb or 5lb density. Lighter toppers are unlikely to perform as well.
• The finest quality feather and down mattress toppers will have a 100% cotton cover with a high thread count. The higher the thread count, the more durable and the softer will be the topper cover.
• Many foam toppers will have a contoured profile, this is aimed at facilitating good airflow around the body. A small number of people find memory foam to be overly warm and when this is the case another material may prove better.
• The memory foam mattress toppers providing the best performance tend to be those with a thickness of 3 to 4 inches. Toppers of 2 inches or less cannot do the job properly and should be avoided.

Using a mattress topper

Memory foam mattress toppers are designed to be placed on firm surface (i.e. a firm or hard mattress) and make the bed feel more supportive and contouring. They will not work properly on a lumpy or sagging bed. Many people make the mistake of placing a memory foam topper on an old, saggy,lumpy mattress and expect it to revitalise the warn out mattress - it will not.

Memory foam mattress toppers should always sit on a firm mattress, ideally placed on a hard surface such as a wooden or framed bed. This allows the mattress topper to optimize its performance.

Latex mattress toppers

Latex toppers provide good support and are ideal for those who feel that they lack adequate support from the less springy memory foam toppers. They also offer a cooler surface than memory foam toppers.

Like memory foam, Latex mattress toppers do not transfer motion and therefore prevent ripples that could affect another sleeping partner's rest.

Many natural latex toppers feature air ventilation. This comes in the form of thousands of tiny perforations in the toppers surface. These perforations promote good air circulation.

Further information about memory foam toppers

Memory foam mattress toppers are currently the best sellers and, with a firm bedt bed, can alter the sleeping experience and offer some benifits of body contouring.

A good qualkity high density memory foam mattress topper should last for several years and will add some of the qualities normally exopected of a memory foam mattress. Memory foam topper act as an additional layer to the mattress and convert a standard coil mattress into a composite mattress.

Visco-elastic foam toppers are regularly used in medical institutions because of their pressure relieving properties. The foam used in the construction of these memory foam toppers reacts to both body pressure and body temperature. These toppers contour themselves to the body shape and alleviate pressure points. Ideally, they offer a sensation similar to that of weightlessness, or a least proportional support of the body and limbs.

Finally, no mattress topper will compete with a new high quality mattress. Ultimately, mattress toppers are simply a budget alternative to a new and much more expensive memory foam or Latex mattress. Even so, they can enhance a bed and its comfort levels.

It should always be remembered that a good topper cannot compensate for a warn out mattress or perform like a new mattress of a similar material (e.g. memory foam).