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18 stone and sagging mattress

Sam asked
26th August 2012

Hi John and Ryan What a fantastic site!
I am looking to replace our sagging superking mattress. My husband is nearly 18 stone (6ft) and I’m just over 10 stone (5ft 6). We both wake with aches and pains – nearing 50 and could be fitter!
I’d set a budget of 1000 pounds but having reviewed options I’m thinking your Artisan Natural Zip together might be the best way to cater for our different sizes, be certain the better quality mattress will manoeuvre up our stairs and escape the bone-shake I currently experience every time my husband throws himself over in the night!
I think if I’m right I can live with the slight overspend. My only slight residual concern is that you recommend a soft mattress for my size and (as long as you agree with my other conclusions) I wonder if you can confirm that this will still feel quite firm on our fixed base. I appreciate this is a somewhat subjective situation but I do like a firmer mattress than most people I know. Thanks for your help, I’m really keen to place my order as soon as I can. Sam.

1 Answer
Lee Staff
answered 12 years ago

Hi Sam.

 

Thank you for your question on our website.  It is a testament from your comment and valuable for other readers to realise that it is virtually impossible to find a one piece mattress that will suit two people of completely different body weights. Therefore, the only option is to opt for a zip and link combo of dual spring tensions.

 

Spring TensionWire diameter (Gauge)Weight Range
Soft1.2mmBespoke Tension (Please Call)
Medium1.4mmUpto 16 stone
Firm1.6mm16 stone plus
Extra Firm / Orthopaedic1.9mm20 stone plus

 

The spring system we use in our Artisan Naturals is a similar construction as Vi-Spring use (calico encased) and therefore we are able to be quite specific as to what wire gauge spring we use will be suitable for the weight applied.  For bodyweights of 10 stone, our Soft gauge comes within the 1.35 – 1.40mm range (Vi-Spring tend to use a 1.24mm wire deemed as soft).

 

Now, these are quite nominal differences by themselves but overall does make a difference to the tension of the mattress.  It would be a good exercise for you and your husband to try a Vi-Spring mattress (Regal Superb would be a good one to try) to see how the springs work with the fillings for your weights. Taking from your comment that you do prefer a firmer feel mattress – our medium is 1.45 – 1.50mm – again by themselves a nominal difference (a tenth of a millimetre) but overall, enough to make a difference across the entire mattress.

 

The use of this mattress (The Artisan Naturals) on a platform base will again influence the overall tension. In your case, I really would opt for the soft tension (Vi Springs equivalent would be a medium) for you (bearing in mind that the shorter the mattress width equals an increase in tension). Your husband, we would use a firmer spring tension (1.55 – 1.60mm) which will be right for his bodyweight but also has an element of movement for them to work in the way they were designed.

 

Remember also, that it is not just the springs that give you the overall tension. We also utilise a higher than average amount of upholstery and when all this is pulled together (crammed inside the mattress and sewn up) the finished tension can be higher than what the spring tension alludes to. When we make recommendations we take all this into account and usually we are not far off the mark.

 

Hope this helps, if you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419.

 

Kind Regards

John and Ryan.

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