Advice required on choosing right mattress
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I have spent several days now absorbing the information on your excellent site and feel confident that purchasing from you is likely to be our best option. Having spent time in both Dreams and Bensons recently I was glad of some good honest information I would just like a bit of more personalised advice now please. We currently have an Ikea (superking size) wooden bed frame (aproximately 10 years old but in good condition) and a Sleepmaster Backcare Supreme mattress (800 pocket spring) which is about 5 years old but now causing me sleep problems (my husband does not seem to suffer as much). I suffer from restless legs during the night and hip, shoulder aches and lower leg/foot pain in the mornings. I am 5'6" and 12 stone, my husband is 6'3" and 17 stone. We prefer a firmer more supportive mattress but are willing to be advised. Our budget is around the £1000 mark maximum. One problem I have noticed with the current mattress is "the humpback bridge effect" - I find much more support and comfort by laying in the centre of the mattress (when my husband is on night shift!!). How can we stop this happening with a new mattress?
I like the sound of your Artisan range but possibly may not be able to stretch that far :( Can you give me some advice re suitable options for our needs?
Thank you .
Hi Jill.
Thank you for your question.
Firstly, re your base? Does this have sprung slats or fixed solid slats? If sprung they are causing the hump back bridge effect. There are many anecdotes on this site and throughout the internet where the mattress develops a central dip known as ‘The Hump Back Bridge Effect’ and this can easily be attributed to the use of a slatted bed frame where the pressure of the slats (the arches) are too firm to ‘give’ under the weight of mattress and user and, therefore, the mattress is prone to settling on the central support bar.
To address the issue of the desirable flat surface for your mattress when used on a sprung slatted base, you should really be taking measures to do all you can to achieve this. The best method we have found is to place thin sheets (about 3-6mm) of MDF onto your slats, to create the flat even surface required.
This image shows three lengths of MDF sheets bridging the arched slats and central bar to prevent the central dipping problems. They are also not so big as to prevent any problems with aeration to the mattress.
With regard to a new mattress, your body weights dictate a dual tension mattress with a medium spring tension for you and a firm spring tension for your husband. This will then give you both the correct support.
| Bodyweight | Spring tension |
|---|---|
| Upto 16 Stone / 50-101kg | Medium (1.4mm) |
| 16 Stone / 101kg Upwards | Firm (1.6mm) |
| Available in Bespoke Products (Please Call) | Soft (1.2mm) |
With regard to a suitable mattress, I would suggest looking at the Artisan 1500 mattress which contains 50/50 natural fillings and man made fibres and has a medium feel from the comfort layers. As you have described the discomfort that you are feeling at the moment with your current mattress, I am inclined to suggest a more medium comfort layer due to the fact that you appear to be suffering from pressure point pain as the mattress may be slightly too firm for you. Also as the mattress is to be placed on to a slatted base, this will firm the mattress up again slightly in any event.
However if this mattress is not within your budget, I would then recommend looking at the Origins Pocket 1500 mattress but with a 2000 spring count to give you the firmer support that you both require.
I hope this assists but please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419 for further information & advice.
Kind regards Julie
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