"The Idiots Guide to Buying a Sofa Bed Mattress"
5 Easy Steps to Choosing the Right Sofa Bed Mattress and Picking the Right Retailer
Step 1) Determine Your Size
The most accurate way to determine the size you need to order is to measure your sofa bed frame. We don't recommend measuring your existing mattress because due to wear an tear, it's likely the dimensions of your mattress have changed over the years. Measure the width and length of the inside of your frame and round down to the nearest inch. For example, if your frame is 52 3/4" wide, the size you would need to order is 52".
Taking Measurements:
The most accurate way to determine the size you need to order is to measure your sofa bed frame. We don't recommend measuring your existing mattress because due to wear an tear, it's likely the dimensions of your mattress have changed over the years. Measure the width and length of the inside of your frame and round down to the nearest inch. For example, if your frame is 52 3/4" wide, the size you would need to order is 52".
Taking Measurements:
Here is a list of the most common sizes (all of which MattressInsider.com carries). You'll notice that most of them have more than one set of sofa bed mattress dimensions available.
The most common sizes are as follows:
Single: 24"x72"
Twin: 38"x72" or 35"x72"
Full: 54"x72" or 52"x72"
Queen: 60"x72" or 58"x72" or 60"x80"(not as common)
If you don't have one of these sizes, call us at 1-888-488-1468 for prices on affordable custom sizes.
Twin: 38"x72" or 35"x72"
Full: 54"x72" or 52"x72"
Queen: 60"x72" or 58"x72" or 60"x80"(not as common)
If you don't have one of these sizes, call us at 1-888-488-1468 for prices on affordable custom sizes.
Depths for sofa bed mattresses range between 3.5-5.5 inches with the standard being 4.5". A 4.5" depth should fit your sofa bed even if you currently have a mattress in the 3.5-5.5 inch depth.
Note: Mattresses are soft goods. This means they are partly made by machines and partly made by humans. If you take 10 out of stock you will see a little fluctuation in size.
Note: Mattresses are soft goods. This means they are partly made by machines and partly made by humans. If you take 10 out of stock you will see a little fluctuation in size.
Step 2) Determine What Type You Want
Currently, the five most common types are memory foam, natural latex, urethane foam, air over coil, and coil. We will go over them in detail throughout the next few steps.
Memory Foam Sofa Bed Mattress
:
If you like a cushion firm feel (not too hard...not too soft), then a
memory foam sofa bed mattress would be your best choice.
Memory foam is often recommended by chiropractors and general practitioners because of it's pressure point relieving benefits. It's also does a great job of eliminating motion transfer between
two sleeping partners. It was originally designed for the seats of the space shuttle to help cushion the impact of re-entry into the atmosphere.
Memory foam sofa bed mattresses respond based on your body temperature so it's important to get one that uses open cell memory foam (not closed cell) otherwise you will over-heat (our memory foam sofa bed mattress is open cell). Also look for a sofa bed mattress which uses plant based memory foam (soy for example) as it's more eco-friendly.
Click here to see a memory foam sofa bed mattress made with soy
What's the most important question to ask when choosing a latex sofa bed mattress? Make sure to ask if the latex used is natural latex or synthetic (ours in natural)? Synthetic latex breaks down quicker and may or may not contain any latex at all. Usually it is disguised to look and feel like latex
but doesn't have any of the benefits (cheaper foam). Synthetic latex
is also photo sensitive which means it breaks down and discolors when
exposed to sun (bad if you have a sofa near a window).
Click Here to see a Latex Sofa Bed Mattress
Memory foam sofa bed mattresses respond based on your body temperature so it's important to get one that uses open cell memory foam (not closed cell) otherwise you will over-heat (our memory foam sofa bed mattress is open cell). Also look for a sofa bed mattress which uses plant based memory foam (soy for example) as it's more eco-friendly.
Click here to see a memory foam sofa bed mattress made with soy
Latex Sofa Bed Mattress
:
If you like your mattress more towards the firm side (hard), then we
recommend going with a latex sofa bed mattress. Latex sofa mattress
are also the most eco-friendly being constructed partly from rubber
trees and soy plants.
Click Here to see a Latex Sofa Bed Mattress
Foam Sofa Bed Mattresses: Although
this type of sofa bed mattress is not as comfortable as a memory foam
or latex sofa bed mattress, it is an excellent alternative to the
uncomfortable coil sofa bed mattress you most likely are trying to
replace.
This is an affordable alternative to the "higher end" sofa bed mattress replacements. Make sure to ask about the density of the foam. Foam sofa mattresses range in density between 1lb to 2lbs. The higher the density the more durable and the more supportive the foam. Low density foams are cheap but they break down very quickly. Our "Traditional Foam Sofa Bed Mattress" is about 2 pounds in density. Make sure to ask if the mattress has a removable cover. It's nice to be able to get it dry cleaned if a guest gets a stain on it. Some manufacturers are now making a soy based foam sofa bed mattress (like our product) which is more eco-friendly.
Click here to view a foam sofa bed mattress
Air Over Coils: This is an air mattress with coils in the base.
This is an affordable alternative to the "higher end" sofa bed mattress replacements. Make sure to ask about the density of the foam. Foam sofa mattresses range in density between 1lb to 2lbs. The higher the density the more durable and the more supportive the foam. Low density foams are cheap but they break down very quickly. Our "Traditional Foam Sofa Bed Mattress" is about 2 pounds in density. Make sure to ask if the mattress has a removable cover. It's nice to be able to get it dry cleaned if a guest gets a stain on it. Some manufacturers are now making a soy based foam sofa bed mattress (like our product) which is more eco-friendly.
Click here to view a foam sofa bed mattress
Air Over Coils: This is an air mattress with coils in the base.
You
inflate this type of mattress with a pump after you pull out your
sofa. Initially we were going to carrying this product in our line
up. However, after getting dozens of phone calls from current owners
who were tired of waking up on a deflated mattress (and who were
desperately looking for a quick replacement), we decided not too. One
frustrated customer told us that after his mattress deflated, he was
told to go purchase a bicycle tire repair kit and to fix it himself.
Other downsides: the high retail cost, having to deflate the mattress before you can fold it into the couch each morning, having to re-inflate it each night when you pull out the sofa, and costly replacement parts.
Other downsides: the high retail cost, having to deflate the mattress before you can fold it into the couch each morning, having to re-inflate it each night when you pull out the sofa, and costly replacement parts.
Coil Sofa Bed Mattress: This is the type of mattress that is usually included with most sleeper sofas.
Coil sofa bed mattresses have a reputation for being the least comfortable of the sofa mattress types. Most
coil sofa bed mattresses have only 1/2 inch of padding on top of a 3"
coil. Now you know why you're waking up with back pain! Sofa
bed manufacturers
use a coil sofa mattress because it significantly cuts down on the cost
for the retailers carrying their lineup. Unfortunately, the consumer
is the one who has to suffer.
Due to the fact that the mattress must be around 4 1/2 inches thick to fit into a sleeper sofa, manufacturers can't put enough turns in the coil to give you adequate support. This is why someone of even average weight easily crushes the mattress when they sit on it. Coils were really designed for mattresses measuring 8 or more inches (like the mattress in your master bedroom).
Another issue is hydrogen embrittlement during the coil manufacturing process. When the coils go through electroplating, the hydrogen that's absorbed in carbon steel causes the coil to become brittle. This can lead to stressing, cracking, and failure. Unfortunately, if you don't electroplate a coil it's more susceptible to rust. Coils can be coated in plastic to prevent this from happening but most sofa manufacturers don't want to invest that kind of money.
Springs also undergo stress during the winding process. If you're going to get a coil sofa bed mattress, the best type of coil is one that is heat treated to be stress relieved.
Due to the fact that the mattress must be around 4 1/2 inches thick to fit into a sleeper sofa, manufacturers can't put enough turns in the coil to give you adequate support. This is why someone of even average weight easily crushes the mattress when they sit on it. Coils were really designed for mattresses measuring 8 or more inches (like the mattress in your master bedroom).
Another issue is hydrogen embrittlement during the coil manufacturing process. When the coils go through electroplating, the hydrogen that's absorbed in carbon steel causes the coil to become brittle. This can lead to stressing, cracking, and failure. Unfortunately, if you don't electroplate a coil it's more susceptible to rust. Coils can be coated in plastic to prevent this from happening but most sofa manufacturers don't want to invest that kind of money.
Springs also undergo stress during the winding process. If you're going to get a coil sofa bed mattress, the best type of coil is one that is heat treated to be stress relieved.
Step 3) Questions to Ask
When choosing a retailer, read through their policies. Make sure to ask the following questions:
Can I return the sofa bed mattress if I don't like it?
You want to have peace of mind that if you don't like your mattress, you can send it back for a refund. If a distributor offers a return policy, make sure to ask them to provide you with details on how you would go about returning it.
What's the sofa bed mattress going to cost me after tax, shipping, handling, etc?
-Go for what you can afford. If you're thinking long term or it's your only bed, spend the extra money and get something nice. It's better to be comfortable then to have a metal bar poking you in the back. If it's short term or never slept on, keep it affordable. .
Is shipping included or is it extra?
-About 30% of the retailers offer free shipping.
Do they charge tax?
-Usually not...unless you live in the state they are shipping from or have a store location (we only charge tax in CO).
Does it have a warranty?
-Warranty's range between 0 to 5 Years. They are in place to protect you against any kind of manufacturer defects. You want to make sure that if your mattress is defective you can get it fixed or replaced. That's the purpose of a warranty. All of our sofa mattresses carry a 5 year warranty.
Also...make sure to ask if the warranty is offered through the retailer or through the manufacturer. If it's through the retailer and they go out of business, you won't have anyone to service your mattress. All our mattresses are warrantied through the manufacturer.
Is it a warranty being offered or a protection plan? A protection plan is not a warranty at all. It protects you against stains and spills on your mattress. Beware of protection plans. A protection plan is a sign that the mattress being offered is re-furbished.
Step 4) Place your order
-The average manufacturer takes about 4-5 business days to make a sofa bed mattress.
While you are here, take a look at our memory foam sofa bed mattress , foam sofa bed mattress, and latex sofa bed mattress.
While you are here, take a look at our memory foam sofa bed mattress , foam sofa bed mattress, and latex sofa bed mattress.
Step 5) Enjoy!
For more information about
Latex, Memory Foam, and Foam Sofa Bed Mattresses Click Here.
Note: This article is copywrite protected. Reproduction of any part of this article is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Mattress Insider LLC.
Note: This article is copywrite protected. Reproduction of any part of this article is strictly prohibited without express written consent from Mattress Insider LLC.
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