Polyurethane foam mattress: reviews, advantages and types

Just a couple of decades ago, when choosing a sleeping base, the options were only a Soviet cotton mattress or grandma’s feather bed. Today, the market segment in this area is highly developed and impresses with the variety of choices. Orthopedic mattresses are most trusted, but not everyone can afford them because of the rather high price. A good alternative can be a polyurethane foam mattress, customer reviews are increasingly pointing to this.

What is polyurethane foam?

Such a complicated-looking word means well-known foam rubber, more precisely, it is soft polyurethane foam, the air content of which is up to 90 percent. Available in the form of blocks and other shapes (foam is poured into special blanks).

There is an opinion that foam rubber is a material of extremely low-quality and short-lived. But this does not apply to polyurethane foam. Thanks to the latest technologies and developments, mattresses made of this material are resilient, elastic and practical. PPU are used as a filler for spring mattresses and separately - for products without springs. Combining advanced foam rubber with other materials, they achieve the acquisition of various properties by it.

When a filler for a mattress - polyurethane foam is used as the “filling”, customer reviews are contradictory. This is due to the existence of different quality types of fillers: standard, soft, high rigidity and highly elastic (artificial latex). The latter, for example, is used for the manufacture of upholstered furniture and mattresses of a high price category.

Features of PPU mattress

The above products are practical, functional and durable. It is also important that they have orthopedic properties, which manufacturers achieve by various methods:

• a change in the geometry of the surface of the product;
• multi-layered mattress;
• the inclusion of spring blocks in its design.

PPU mattresses are produced with different stiffnesses on each side, and can also be “layered” with coconut bark in order to achieve greater rigidity and increase its life.

The ratio of pros and cons

Any product has advantages and disadvantages. Polyurethane foam mattresses are no exception, although they have an order of magnitude less drawbacks.

Benefits

1. Elasticity and resilience: the product allows you to maintain the body well during sleep, which provides a comfortable rest.
2. Reasonable price - against the background of analog mattresses these pleasantly surprise with cost in combination with quality. The price of a PPU mattress is quite acceptable for any category of the population, however, in the pursuit of cheapness, the main thing is not to overdo it. Still, the cheapest model will be inferior in quality and durability, and as a result, instead of the expected 10 years, the mattress will serve you only a third of this period. But at the same time, it’s not worth overpaying. For example, mattresses with "stuffing" made of bilaxilast and waterlatex will cost more than polyurethane foam, although they are exactly the same in terms of characteristics.
3. Viscosity - PPU gives mattresses softness and makes them pleasant to the touch. In addition, it is ideal for people with overweight because of the ability to withstand strong pressure. The purchase of such a mattress easily solves the problem of joint sleep in spouses of different weight categories. A fuller partner, due to viscosity, does not push the mattress so much that it is noticeable on the other hand, and as a result, the lighter one does not move out to the middle of the mattress.
4. Orthopedics is ensured by the ability of products to repeat the anatomical bends of the human body. Resistant to deformation, they are suitable for people with impaired spinal function.
5. Air exchange is achieved due to the cellularity of the polyurethane foam and guarantees excellent hygiene and ventilation for the mattress.
6. Convenience in transportation. Springless models of mattresses are conveniently twisted, and upon purchase you can immediately take them home, turning them into a roll, without waiting for them to be delivered. When you unfold the mattress, it will take on its original appearance without signs of deformation.

disadvantages

When choosing a mattress, you should take into account the existing shortcomings and try to avoid them, so that after you get maximum satisfaction from the purchase:

1. Non-compliance with production technologies. It is very important that the manufacturer complies with them, is guided by state standards and technical specifications, otherwise the product will quickly become unusable: it will be deformed, it will not be able to properly provide ventilation. Sometimes, to increase the thickness of the mattress, an additional layer of foam rubber is used, this leads to rapid loss of shape, fragmentation and the formation of dips in separate places.
2. Increased absorbency. This is perhaps the main drawback that has a mattress made of polyurethane foam, reviews of which are often untrue and which also cannot be corrected. The mattress absorbs liquid, air vapor, even odors. And at home, cleaning will not work, for this you will have to contact service firms.

Mattress classification

Polyurethane foam mattresses are classified as follows:

1. To size:

• Unary (120x200 cm) - the most popular type filled with high-density polyurethane, a very practical model, ideal for a long rest. Available in different colors.
• One and a half mattress made of polyurethane foam, reviews about which are no less positive (140x200 cm), similar to the previous sample, differs only in size.
• Double (160x200 cm) - in this model, the mattress can be of different densities on both sides. Or for a double bed, the option of buying two mattresses of 80x200 cm in size with different characteristics of elasticity and density, suitable for sleeping people with different complexions, is possible.
• Non-standard - manufactured by the manufacturer on an individual order in accordance with the size of the bed.

The difference in type:

• Spring - produced in two models: with bonnel springs (durable, but without orthopedic properties) and with independent springs (silent, orthopedic, but require delicate use). In mattresses of these types of PPU serves as a top coating, the main load falls on the springs, on which the degree of comfort of the products depends.
• Springless - equipped with Euro frame (side border made of more durable polyurethane foam), which keeps the shape of the product.

Mattresses made of polyurethane foam: reviews, price

For comparison and the possibility of an optimal choice, we consider in more detail the opinions of customers about some models of these products.

Polyurethane foam mattress for a child (reviews will help you make the right choice) IKEA Malsorf has an affordable price (about 4000 rubles). Buyers report product resilience. Of the two types (medium hard and hard), the latter is preferable. Product thickness - 12 cm. It is equipped with a removable cover, filling - two-layer polyurethane foam. The lack of thermal effect provides cold polyurethane foam in the mattress for the child. Reviews of parents confirm this. Among the shortcomings, the chemical smell of the product is noted, which, however, disappears within two weeks. In general, buyers recommend this mattress for primary school children.

BEMBY LIGHT - children's mattresses from polyurethane foam. Reviews about these products of the brand MATROLUXE (Ukraine) are pretty good. Made in the form of a monoblock of high-density polyurethane foam children's mattresses with orthopedic effect will last for a long time, without losing quality. Reviews include the quilted cover made of natural cotton, hypoallergenicity, good air circulation and a diverse color palette of covers.

Big Roll is a springless mattress based on polyurethane foam. Reviews characterize this model as the golden mean for lovers of hard and medium-hard mattresses. Filling from PPU of different density will take care of enhanced back support. Special layers (wool and cotton) between the cover and the filler on both sides of the mattress form the “winter / summer” effect. In addition, the product can be compressed and, wrapped in a vacuum case, twisted into a roll. Thus, the mattress easily fits in the trunk of the car, it will also not be difficult to bring home in your hands.

Conclusion

How to buy a perfect mattress made of polyurethane foam? Reviews and detailed specifications will help determine the choice. The main thing is to understand what you expect from this product and what means you have, and the right model can be found for each customer.