What is a mattress Spring Insulator layer?

When it comes to buying a mattress there a lot of information to take in and try and understand. If you’re looking at a Pocket Spring mattress then a mattress spring insulator will be something you really need to understand to be able to accurately compare mattresses. To spot the good from the bad in bed world and help whittle down your new mattress options.

What is a mattress spring insulator?

A mattress spring insulator helps bridge the gap between the pocket spring ‘support’ layer and the softer upholstery ‘comfort layers’. Think of it as an upholstery bridge which stops fibres migrating between pocket springs and helps soften the transition between the firmer spring support and softer upholstery layers. It also helps provide a consistent surface between the springs and the other fibres above it. The insulator is usually a foam layer (in cheaper low-end models) or a coarse Natural Fibre in higher quality mattresses such as Coarse Cashmere.

What fibres are used a spring insulator layer?

The following fibres are all effective insulator layers.

• Mohair
• Coarse Cashmere 
• Coir
• Hemp
• Flax
• Wool (in softer mattresses)

Low end & cheap insulators you’ll want to avoid are materials like ‘Recycled grey fibre’ that entry-level mattresses will use.

If you don’t have a spring insulator layer the chances are that finer fibres will start to migrate and move between the pocket spring units. This, in turn, can lead to lumps bumps and irregularities in your mattress. Any bed retailer should be able to tell you what spring insulator is in the mattress and give you the full GSM of it. Just like we do! If they can’t then walk away.