Spring Mattress
If you are looking for an innerspring mattress, you will quickly find yourself in a complex maze of pocket spring, barrel pocket spring and Bonell spring mattresses. What is the difference between all the spring cores? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the different springs? And what is the difference to a cold foam mattress?
100 % Foam – 0 Springs
Three Types of Spring Mattress
Bonell Spring Core
- waisted moulded Bonell springs
- springs are interconnected
Pocket Spring Core
- Springs individually sewn into fabric pockets
- straight moulded springs
Barrel Pocket Spring Core
- springs individually sewn into fabric pockets
- bulbous shaped barrel springs
What is a Bonell Spring Core Mattress?
Thomas Sheraton, the furniture designer to King George III of England, invented the curved springs back in the 18th century, revolutionising the upholstered furniture industry at the time. In the Bonell spring core, the springs are connected to each other by wires. The resulting wire mesh runs through the entire spring mattress. This creates the typical bounce behaviour of bonell spring core mattresses. Bonell spring cores in mattresses, but also in sofas, are particularly inviting for the ‘bouncing on the bed’ that is so popular with children. This is because Bonell spring core mattresses react elastically to pressure. A bonell spring core mattress gives you a proverbial springy lying feeling: a larger area always resonates. After some time, the bonell spring core mattress tends to squeak at the many cross connections and friction points. The resilience also suffers with use. This means that the spring core will eventually sag even without load.
What is a Pocket Spring Core Mattress?
A mattress with a pocket spring core contains a large number of springs. Each spring is individually sewn into fabric pockets. Due to the elaborate sewing and because the springs are not connected as in a Bonell spring core mattress, pocket spring core mattresses tend to react in a point-elastic manner. This means that the load from individual parts of the body can be passed on to the mattress in a more differentiated way. This means that heavy body parts, such as the shoulder area and pelvis, sink deeper into the mattress and the spine can be adequately supported. The fabric pockets above the springs have a noise-absorbing effect and provide more sleeping comfort compared to a bonell spring core mattress.
What is a Barrel Pocket Spring Core Mattress?
A mattress with a barrel pocket spring core differs from a pocket spring core mattress mainly in the shape of the springs. The barrel pocket springs are characterised by the bulbous shape of the springs, which are typically narrower on the top and bottom and wider in the middle. This shape allows them to be compressed with comparatively less force. This gives barrel pocket spring core mattresses a softer lying sensation.
Structure of Spring Mattresses
Whether pocket spring core, barrel pocket spring core or Bonell spring core mattress; all spring core mattresses are multi-layered. The metal core is usually in the centre, surrounded by softer layers. However, some spring core mattresses only have one side on which you can lie. In this case, the springs are at the bottom and are then only covered with a thin layer of fabric.
- Spring core: This is literally the core of every spring mattress and is located in the centre. In the case of Bonell spring core mattresses, it consists of a bare steel spring mesh. In pocket spring core mattresses and barrel pocket spring cores, the springs lie in fabric pockets that are joined together by a fabric seam.
- Core protection layer: The mattress core is usually surrounded by a fleece or felt. This core protection layer is intended to protect the upholstery layer above it from any peaks or edges of the spring core.
- Upholstery layer: This outer layer provides the actual lying comfort. It consists of one or more layers of foam. Some innerspring mattresses also have a final layer of memory foam, latex or another material that is said to have a positive effect on the lying sensation.
- Mattress cover: The mattress cover can be made from a wide variety of materials. It should protect the mattress core and be as removable as possible for optimum washability and hygiene. A good cover also supports the lying properties of the core and does not distort its ergonomics. Breathable covers ensure the best possible moisture transport and therefore a pleasant sleeping environment.
