Memory foam is made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that add to its viscosity level, thereby increasing its density. It is often referred to as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. Depending on the chemicals used and its overall density, it is firmer in cooler temperatures and softer in warmer environments. Higher density memory foam reacts to body heat which allows it to mould itself to the shape of a warm body within a few minutes. A lower density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and will mould more quickly to the shape of the body. The example often used to demonstrate its properties is that of a hand pressed into the foam and then removed will leave a clear impression in the foam.
A memory foam mattress is usually denser than an ordinary foam mattress. This makes it more supportive – but also heavier. It is often seen as a good compromise between the comfort of a soft mattress and the supportiveness of a firm one. Beds are not always only for sleeping. It is important to consider that moving around on hands or knees on a memory-foam mattress is different from more standard mattresses.
Many memory foam retailers focus on the fact that memory foam was initially developed by NASA for the space program, ironically it was never used in any space mission. The initial memory foam, known as T-foam, offgassed too much for use in a closed environment. But, thankfully technicians saw the promise of memory foam for use in the medical industry to relieve pressure sores. Over the years memory foam was shown to be unique in the way it responded to temperature and also in ability to spread pressure over a greater surface area and thereby reduce pressure points significantly.
While memory foam was developed for NASA in the 1970's, it really only hit the consumer market in topper pads, and later their memory foam mattress, in the early 1990s. The first company to really realise the potential of memory foam for the consumer market was Tempur®. They had worked on creating their own version of memory foam, and came up with a foam they called Tempur® that was much more durable and still had the pressure reducing benefits of memory foam. Initially this Tempur® foam was used in medical settings, but such was it success it was quickly made available to consumers. Coming from this medical background, Tempur® foam was very expensive, and has stayed that way to this day. After a few years on the consumer market, though, other foam manufacturers saw the potential of memory foam and began to produce their own versions of memory foam. Since these manufacturer's came from the consumer foam business, rather than the medical business, their cost structure for memory foam was much lower and they priced their products at a fraction of the Tempur® foam. Memory foam has become ever more popular and there are now manufactures all over the world making their own brands of memory foam.
Today memory foam is the fastest growing sector of the UK bed market. Every year you see more and more companies selling memory foam mattress, memory pillows and memory foam topper pads. At Time 4 Sleep we recognise that it can be a minefield for consumers, with so many different options.
In this guide we have attempted to demystify the buying process and offer some sound practical advice on what to look for when buying your new memory foam mattress.
The first thing to remember is that not all memory foam mattresses are not equal. They differ a great deal in quality - density, hardness or softness, response to temperature, and also in their durability.
Increased competition has seen more manufacturers enter the market and prices having come tumbling down making memory foam an affordable option. Whilst this has meant that a good number of quality memory foams have come onto the market, it has also meant that a greater number of low quality sub standard foams have also appeared.
Memory foam isn't a commodity, and not all memory foams are created equal. As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid the really inexpensive mattresses or pillows you will find on the market. They are generally made of either low density memory foam or layered with other, cheaper foam products. These inexpensive memory foams just won't give the same comfort as higher density material and will wear out relatively fast.
In a memory foam block we believe that you should ideally have 75mm -100mm (3-4”) memory foam. 3- 4" of memory foam gives you a good amount of material to cushion and conform to your body. Whilst you could get by with 47mm of memory foam in a mattress, 75mm is just a plusher and more comfortable feel for most people. And it isn't so deep you sink in uncomfortably into the bed or lose the support of the base foam. Anything much deeper than 100mm we believe can feel too much and there is a tendency to get sucked in and turning from side to side can be a problem. In a conventional sprung mattress we have found that 47mm of memory foam can be effectively used due to the high level of support offered by the spring. Ultimately the depth of memory foam that you go for will depend upon your weight and personal sleeping preference.
As for the density of the memory foam used in a mattress we recommend between 55kg m3 and 80kg m3 density. The problem with using lower density memory foam in a mattress is that it does soften and compress over time and so has a fairly short life expectancy.
When you are looking for any memory foam, you need to be careful what foam you buy. Occasionally less reputable manufacturers may put inexpensive fillers into a foam to save money rather than the more expensive materials used in making a true memory foam. Also there have been a number of cases where imported memory foam mattresses have failed to pass UK flammability requirements. One last thing to consider is how long a foam will last. This is an important consideration, because some memory foam feel great initially, but may break down fairly quickly over time. Because memory foam can have durability issues, we would caution you to stay away from formulations that are new and haven't been time tested. The formulation used in our mattress has been in production for years, and it has been proven to hold up very well over time. Nothing beats real world testing, and just because a foam tested well in artificial durability tests doesn't mean it will really work in your home. You'll avoid a lot of problems by sticking with a memory foam that has a proven history of real world durability.
Memory foam is temperature sensitive. This means that at lower temperatures it is harder (more viscous), and at higher temperatures it is softer and bouncier (more elastic). Hence the reason memory foam is also known as visco-elastic foam. This temperature sensitive quality accounts for the melting feeling that you get lying down on memory foam, and also accentuates the custom moulding affect of the foam. Some memory foam, like Tempur® are pretty temperature sensitive and can get firm even near room temperature. The memory foam is used in our toppers and mattresses, in contrast, has a broader range of temperatures where they stay nice and soft so they work well in different climates.
Given these issues, we recommend you really look closely at not only the density of the memory foam you are buying, but the source as well. You can trust the big name brands like Tempur® - they have a vested interest in assuring that their customers get only the highest quality products. But if you buy own-branded memory foam, you really need to ask questions about the source of the foam to see if the reseller really knows whether the foam is the actual spec they are advertising. While resellers probably won't tell you the specific supplier they are using (which, after all, is part of their competitive advantage), ask them if their supplier has a long standing relationship with the foam manufacturer, and whether their supplier independently inspects each batch of foam after it was received from the manufacturer to ensure that the quality is what is should be. And, like all things, if the price seems to good, it may well be an indication that something just isn't right and the foam may not be up to the advertised specs.
This is a question we get all the time, and not an easy one to answer. In general, though, if your mattress is functional but not as comfortable as you would like (looking for a softer feel, less aches and pains in the morning, etc), then a memory foam mattress topper may well do the job.
On the other hand, if your mattress is too soft, rock hard, or has compressed areas or dips, etc., then you really are better off buying a new mattress - a topper pad just can't help with these problems. Another factor to consider is the age of your mattress. It is recommended to change your mattresses every 7-10 years. In today’s competitive market place it may be more cost effective in the longer term to replace the whole mattress than opt for a mattress topper.
Yes. Memory foam can be succesfully used in combination with traditional springs systems. In addition to foam with memory foam we also offer memory foam in combinations with traditional open coil, flexiform and pocketed spring systems. These types of mattresses combine the technology of memory foam with the benefits of a traditional pocketed spring system to create a supremely comfortable sleeping experience. These type of mattress incorporate some of the conventional feel that is associated with a sprung mattress whilst having the contouring / moulding effect which is experienced with an all foam mattress.
Our mattress collection has been sourced from leading UK and European manufacturers. Discover the latest revolution in sleep with our new visco elastic memory foam mattress collection. To put an end to your quest for the perfect night's sleep, we have created several revolutionary sleep systems that take the science of sleep and comfort to a new level. Although each system offers unique benefits, all are designed to the highest specification, all are made with the finest, most durable materials and all utilise the latest technology. The result is a truly luxurious range that will ensure you have your best night's sleep - ever. Made from high grade 55 – 80 kg per cubic metre pressure relieving visco elastic material, our memory foam has been specifically designed to respond to your weight and body temperature. After a few minutes the advanced memory foam moulds to your individual shape providing excellent support for a health night's sleep. All our memory foam mattresses are no-turn, eliminating the inconvenience of turning the mattress. Sleep easily with our memory foam mattresses. The Time 4 Sleep memory foam mattress collection is made with visco elastic an advanced material which ensures weight is evenly distributed, preventing pressure build-up in prominent areas of the body.
At Time 4 Sleep we recognise that purchasing a new memory foam mattress can be a minefield, with this in mind we have put together a buyer’s guide to assist you in your quest to find the perfect mattress. Memory foam isn’t a commodity and not all memory foams are created equal. As a general rule of thumb, you should avoid the really inexpensive mattresses or pillows you will find on the market. They are generally made of either low density memory foam or layered with other, cheaper foam products. These inexpensive memory foams just won't give the same comfort as higher density material and will wear out relatively fast. To find out more information consult our memory foam buying guide.
Rest assured that all Time 4 Sleep memory foam conforms to safety requirements that meet both the medical and more stringent home requirements of Schedule 1, Part 1: The Furniture and Furnishing (Fire) (Safety) Regulation Act (Amended 1989, 1993). Relax and enjoy the convenience of shopping direct. Don’t forget if you buy both a bed frame and a mattress from Time 4 Sleep you will automatically qualify for an extra 5% discount on the mattress.
Our new visco elastic collection is also easy on the pocket, offering you the opportunity to enjoy the visco elastic sleeping experience without paying the hefty price premiums associated with some of the nationally advertised brands.
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