Mattress Glossary

The thick lower layer of a mattress. Also known as the support core, the base layer is usually made of metal springs, high density foam, or latex. This mattress component provides support and durability while preventing sinkage.

The uppermost layer(s) of the mattress. The composition of the comfort layer has the largest impact on the overall feel, as you sleep directly on it. More than one comfort layer is sometimes described as a comfort system. We use organic pulse latex, organic lambswool and high performance pressure relieving foam in our mattresses for softness, cushioning and contouring.

The outer fabric layer of a mattress, also known as ticking. Most covers are integrated and non-removable. Sometimes extra padding is sewn in to add cushioning. We use a range of materials including organic cotton, and natural Tencel and cotton blends for our mattress covers.

A measure of mass per volume. For mattresses, the density of foam or latex may be measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF). Denser materials are typically firmer and more durable. We use high density foam and high performing organic pulse latex which is exceptionally durable.

How well a mattress withstands wear and tear. Most mattresses have an average lifespan between 7 and 10 years. Latex core mattresses are even more durable, lasting up to 12-15 years. Factors that affect durability includes mattress type, material quality, construction quality, and body weight and of course, mattress care.

Another term used to describe the base or support layer of a mattress. The mattress core creates a sturdy, durable base and provides support to the comfort layers. It may contain coils, foam, or latex.

Fibres from natural sources, such as plants and animals. Natural fibers may be used in the mattress cover or as part of a layer. Cotton and wool are among the most common natural fibres used in mattresses.

A gusseted top comfort layer that adds extra plushness to your sleep surface. Usually made of fibre or foam, a pillow-top is sewn into the top of the mattress and sits above the rest of the comfort system.

A cushioning layer of foam or fibres stitched into the cover. The quilting layer typically enhances pressure relief, but it can also affect breathability and temperature regulation.

The cover of the mattress. Ticking is often made from tightly woven cotton, viscose, or synthetic blend fabric. It affects the mattress’ breathability, durability, and feel.

A design feature in which the firmness of the sleep surface varies to provide targeted support and cushioning. This usually promotes good posture and relieves pressure points.

Indentations from lying on the mattress. Minor impressions are common as mattresses age. It is important to follow mattress care instructions to mitigate body impressions.

A rebounding effect. A mattress with ample bounce quickly regains its original shape when weight is removed. Bouncy mattresses allow for better ease of movement but also tend to cause greater motion transfer.

How well air flows through a material. Breathable mattress components generally keep the sleep surface cooler.

A subjective quality associated with physical relief and relaxation. Mattress comfort is determined by a sleeper’s personal preferences. While firmness level plays a major role, conforming, support, motion isolation, and other factors also contribute.

How much a mattress conforms to the shape of your body. Conforming influences pressure relief and comfort.

Synonymous with conforming, contouring describes how much a sleep surface hugs your body to redistribute weight and relieve pressure.

How well a bed supports your body weight at its outermost perimeter. Strong edge support increases the usable surface area of a mattress.

How hard or soft a mattress feels. Mattress firmness can be closely related to comfort and individual preference. Our firmness scale goes from soft - medium soft - medium - medium firm - firm.

The ability to prevent vibrations on one side if the sleep surface from transferring to other areas. When a mattress has poor motion control, your sleep partner can disturb you when changing position or getting in and out of bed.

The process of releasing chemical odours associated with some newly manufactured mattresses. Experts do not typically consider off-gassing smells harmful, but they can be unpleasant. Certain materials, such as smart foam and memory foam, tend to undergo more noticeable off-gassing. Natural materials such as lambswool release natural odours when unboxed.

The degree to which a material compresses at one location without affecting other areas. A material with high point elasticity, like memory foam, allows for greater contouring by compressing directly under pressure. Materials with low point elasticity, such as latex, spread the force over a wider area for more of a floating sensation.

How a mattress minimises tension and force against the body. A mattress with ample pressure relief cushions key points, like the hips and shoulders, to redistribute weight and promote proper spinal alignment. The degree of pressure relief you need depends on your sleep position and body weight.

Synonymous with bounce. Highly responsive materials, such as coils, return to their original shape quickly when weight is removed, making them bouncier and easier to move on.

Sinkage refers to how deeply a mattress envelops the curves of your body, similar to contouring or conforming.

How well a mattress holds up the body to promote a neutral spinal position. The core of the mattress should act as the main pillar of support by preventing the pelvis from sinking too deeply into the mattress relative to lighter body parts. The comfort system should complement the support core by filling in gaps in the body’s profile to keep the spine in natural alignment.

The positioning of the spine relative to its natural curvature and how it lines up with the rest of the body. Improper spinal alignment can cause pain in the back and other parts of the body.

How well a mattress helps regulate temperatures to prevent overheating. Breathability and heat retention are important contributing factors. Natural materials like latex and lambswool have excellent temperature control to keep you warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

An option to have your old mattress removed and disposed of when your new mattress arrives.

Any mattress that is compressed, vacuum-sealed, rolled, and boxed for delivery. Innovations over the last 10 years have allowed us to create better quality mattresses, specifically designed to be rolled and boxed for transport, that always spring right back into shape. 

A guarantee from the manufacturer that protects against material and manufacturing defects. Perceived level of comfort, damage resulting from abuse, misuse, and normal wear and tear is not covered. Learn more here. Returns & Warranty

A premium delivery option in which our team delivers your new mattress, sets it up, and disposes of the packaging. Old mattress removal can also be added.

A certification for organic materials, such as cotton, latex, and wool. Organic certifications are typically associated with limited chemical usage and environmentally sustainable practices, but standards differ depending on the certifying agency.

This certification is use for foams that are independently laboratory tested for safety, emissions and durability. It ensures low VOC emissions for better indoor air quality and guarantees foams are made without formaldehyde, ozone depleters, harmful phthalates, mercury, lead, or heavy metals. It ensures foams are screened for harmful flame retardants and toxic chemicals and helps reduce new foam chemical smell/off-gassing. This certification is widely recognised in mattresses, pillows and upholstered furniture. All our foams are certified CertiPur.

The EuroLatex ECO Standard certification guarantees latex foam is tested for harmful substances, ensuring low VOC emissions for improved indoor air quality, limits heavy metals, pesticides and toxic chemicals, tests for harmful solvents and nitrosamines, and promotes safer and healthier sleep products supporting high product quality and hygiene standards.

A rigorous certification for organic textiles, the GOTS certified organic textile standard is recognised worldwide. In addition to organic fibre requirements, GOTS also includes strict environmental and social criteria throughout production, sustainable and responsible manufacturing, strict wastewater treatment requirements, and ensures socially responsible working conditions. This standard includes independent, third-party verification of a manufacturer’s entire textile supply chain for full supply chain certification and traceability. All the lambswool in our products is GOTS certified.

Administered by OEKO-TEX, the Standard 100 tests textiles for harmful substances and ensures they are safe for human health and skin contact, supporting safer and more responsible textile production. All fabrics used in our mattresses are certified to OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

A special formulation of polyurethane foam that molds to the body without the close hug of memory foam. This material is also more responsive for greater ease of movement.

A type of foam with a dimpled texture similar to an egg carton. This unique shape provides added breathability and deep compression support. Convoluted foam consists of polyfoam or memory foam and can appear in a mattress’ comfort, transition, or support layer. It is also a common material for mattress toppers.

Polyfoam or memory foam formulated with copper. Copper infusions are generally intended to conduct heat away from the body and inhibit microbial growth.

A measurement of weight compared to volume. Typically measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF), foam density correlates with durability and often firmness. High density foam is more durable.

Memory foam with small beads or swirls of gel interspersed throughout. The gel may vary in composition depending on the manufacturer, but the main objective is almost always to improve the temperature control.

A type of close-conforming, high-density polyfoam originally developed by NASA. Also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam has high point elasticity and compresses proportionally to weight. It also softens in response to body heat, lending to a distinct hugging sensation. Because of its contouring, memory foam is most common in comfort layers.

A type of foam that can vary significantly in feel and performance depending on the specific formulation. Because polyfoam is so versatile, this material is common in both comfort and support layers.

High-density foam used in the core of a mattress. Most support foam is firm, dense polyfoam. 

Hourglass-shaped coils interconnected with helical wires. Bonnel coils tend to be inexpensive and less responsive.

How many coils or springs a mattress or individual mattress layer contains. Coil / spring count typically increases with mattress size. Spring count should be considered in combination with other factors to determine a mattress feel, performance, or durability.

Coil thickness. Mattress coil gauges typically range from 13 to 17. Higher gauges equate to thinner coils and a softer feel.

Two layers of metal coils/springs in one mattress. The top layer generally consists of pocketed coils/springs or microcoils in the comfort system, while the lower layer may use virtually any type of coils to provide support.

A continuous network of coils made from the same piece of wire. Continuous coils tend to be firm, stable, durable, and inexpensive.

A mattress made with a spring support core and a foam or latex comfort system. A hybrid mattress aims to combine the best qualities of innerspring and all-foam mattresses while minimizing their downsides.

A style of mattress with a spring core, a fabric cover, and little to no cushioning material. Most mattress companies have phased out production of this older mattress style due to lack of demand. However, some budget-friendly models are still available.

A thin layer of coils/springs, usually between 1 and 3 inches thick, included as a comfort layer. Microcoils can help improve responsiveness, support, temperature control, and durability.

A smaller version of microcoils, often under an inch thick.

Hourglass-shaped coils with squared-off sides and a hinging effect for enhanced contouring. Offset coils are similar to Bonnell but tend to be more responsive, quieter, and better at contouring. They’re also typically more expensive.

Coils/Springs that are individually wrapped in fabric sleeves, also known as Marshall coils or wrapped coils. Each can move independently, allowing for better contouring and minimal motion transfer. Pocketed coils/springs are common in hybrid mattresses.

An inferior formulation that combines synthetic and natural latex. Some blended latex may also contain less expensive fillers, such as clay or sand.

A dense, durable variety of latex produced using the Dunlop process. The process involves frothing the sap and steam-baking it in a mold. Dunlop latex may be used in a comfort system or support core.

Latex made primarily from rubber tree sap. Natural latex typically contains at least 95% sap, but it may include other agents needed for the curing process.

 Certified organic latex meets certain sourcing and processing standards.

Pulse latex is made using wave technology, producing more breathable, resilient and sustainable latex. The process uses considerably less energy than the Dunlop method. Pulse represents the most innovative latex in the latex industry with a low carbon footprint thanks to an advanced vulcanisation technology. We use this in our mattresses.

Latex made from petrochemicals, also known as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Synthetic latex is more affordable but less durable and of course eco-friendly than natural alternatives.

A softer, airier form of latex produced through the Talalay process. This process involves frothing rubber tree sap, pouring it into a mold, vacuum-sealing the mold, freezing it, and baking it. Because of its lighter feel and gentle contouring, Talalay latex most often appears in the comfort system.

A support system that allows you to modify the position to let you elevate your head and feet independently via remote control or app. This can improve comfort and may help alleviate a range of nighttime ailments, including snoring, back pain, acid reflux, swelling, and congestion.

A general term for the structure that supports your mattress and adds height. The most common types of bases include boxsprings, foundations, platform beds, slatted bases, and adjustable bases.

A structure that elevates the sleep surface. It may support the mattress, the foundation, or both depending on its design. Usually made of wood or metal, a bed frame typically has at least four legs and an outer perimeter. Some bed frames also include a platform, a headboard, or a footboard.

A base that includes a wooden frame and sturdy springs. Boxsprings were originally designed to support innerspring mattresses, largely now out of production.

Generally, a base constructed with a wooden frame and slats. However, the term is sometimes used interchangeably with base.

A general term to describe a material that wraps around the mattress. When describing an accessory, the expression generally refers to a mattress protector. However, the same term can also be applied to the non-removable fabric ticking that encases a mattress.

A protective cover that acts as a barrier against stains as well as dust mites, mould, and other allergens. Most mattress protectors are waterproof, machine-washable, and go on the bed like a fitted sheet.

An extra cushioning layer that rests on top of the mattress. Mattress toppers can modify the firmness, pressure relief, contouring, and height of your mattress as well as protect its surface from wear and tear.