Mattress materials

A fascinating range of materials is used in mattress construction.

Mattress manufacture is a complex business; a lot of thought, research and testing goes into determining which fillings produce the best results, how many coils produce the right level of firmness and what type of finishing helps to prolong the life of the mattress. Manufacturers have to be aware of the many different types of materials are available and consider developing new materials themselves to produce the results they are looking for.

Mattress wire

Wire is used by mattress manufacturers to create coils or springs. Depending on the type of mattress, the wire is used in different ways. For example, an open coil mattress is made up of several hundred individual springs, held together with additional wire, whilst a continuous spring mattress takes a single length of wire and "knits" it together to form the sprung construction. Manufacturers use different thicknesses of wire in order to vary the tension of the springs - in general, the thicker the wire, the firmer the mattress.

Coir fibre

This is a popular filling material, usually packed around the springs to keep them in place. Coir fibre is 100% natural and is made from coconut husks. It is used for many other purposes, but is a mainstay filling for the mattress industry.

Wool

Wool is used for its luxury feel, but it also has natural properties which make it an excellent mattress filling. Naturally breathable, it is also resilient and has fire retardant properties, making it an ideal choice.

Cotton, silk and cashmere

At the luxury end of the market, mattress manufacturers use the same materials that we associate with luxury clothing. These materials are soft, fine and natural, making for the perfect finish to a top-of-the-range product.

Foam

Foam is used as a filling in some mattresses and as the core of the mattress in others. There are various types of foam in use and manufacturers use memory foam on its own to create a moulded, supportive mattress, whilst using other foams in conjunction with springs to provide the ultimate in mattress comfort.

Ticking

The cover of your mattress is one of the most important parts. It's built to hold the mattress together and to protect it from general wear and tear. For this reason, the ticking is often made from cotton or viscose yarns that are tough and the material is often treated against stains and allergens.

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