What is better in a mattress: polyurethane foam or latex? Comparison of materials from MnogoSna specialists in Moscow

Latex mattresses are of high quality and are very comfortable for the soft tissues of the body. In budget options, it is replaced with an artificial analogue - polyurethane foam (PPU).

To correct the rigidity of a sleeping area, natural latex can be combined with other components: coconut coir, bicoir, polyurethane foam or memory foam.

Latex is used in both spring and springless mattresses, which consist almost entirely of it. Thin mattresses with this filling are most often supplied rolled up due to the great flexibility of the material.

Structure

The PPU mattress consists of foamed plastic with small cells containing polyurethane inside.

New production technology allows modern mattresses to be more elastic, resilient, and at the same time not cause allergic reactions. Thanks to these properties, the orthopedic effect is achieved. The polyurethane foam mattress does not deform under the influence of human weight, it does not sag and remains stable. Such models, most often, have anatomical memory properties, which allows them to distribute the load evenly over the entire area of the mattress, due to which the sleeper’s muscles relax. This is followed by a full, healthy sleep.

If there is a need to transport a PU foam mattress, it can easily be rolled up and placed, for example, in a car.

Spring and springless

All PU mattresses are divided into spring and springless. Designs on springs, in turn, differ in models of dependent and independent types. Spring-dependent mattresses do not have a beneficial effect, since the springs connected to each other, when loaded, pull the neighboring ones, which causes an incorrect sleeping position. An independent block, on the contrary, is distinguished by proper support of the spinal column. The springs in such mattresses are not fixed to each other.

Kinds

Anti-bedsore

How to choose an anti-decubitus mattress? Modern medical mattresses have different structures and degrees of hardness. The choice of this or that product is absolutely individual. The mattress can have three levels of hardness - low, medium and high. Such products are characterized by a tubular or cellular structure.

Models with a cellular structure are suitable for patients who spend most of their time in bed. An important element of such a mattress is the compressor, which regulates the air pressure in the cells, which ensures a comfortable sleep for the patient. The product performs the function of a light massage, which helps prevent the formation of bedsores. In addition, it can relieve swelling and pain that occurs in bedridden patients.

Askona springless mattresses of this type are very popular on the market.

A tubular PU foam mattress is a product that has balloon compartments into which air is alternately supplied. This allows you to improve the effectiveness of the massage. This model promotes intensive resumption of blood circulation and makes sleep more comfortable for the patient.

Polyurethane foam mattresses 10 cm

Such products have medium rigidity and ensure correct anatomical position of the body during sleep. Models with a thickness of 10 cm are made using ultrastep technology, thanks to which the product is perfectly washable; it does not have a thread stitch, as it is lined with a quilted cover. The mattress provides softness, hygiene, environmental friendliness, breathability and durability. The height of bed mattresses is described here. Also read what is the standard mattress height.

Models for children

Which mattress to choose for a child? For newborns and children under 3 years of age, a high-hardness polyurethane mattress will be an excellent alternative to a spring or old foam mattress. It ensures the correct position of the baby's spine during rest. Polyurethane mattresses are made from high-quality materials, so they do not harm the baby’s health and do not cause allergies. They are not too soft, but not too hard and have fairly good ventilation.

Minuses

Despite their advantages and density, polyurethane foam mattresses cannot provide full support for the spine unless they have additional hard padding. They cannot be called rigid: even by remembering the user’s shape, their task is comfort, not prevention. Other disadvantages include:

Due to the sponge-like structure, the polyurethane foam block can absorb moisture, which negatively affects its structure and requires periodic ventilation and drying (naturally).
Another disadvantage of such a mattress is the influence of sunlight on the filler itself: you should not allow the sun to directly hit it when it is drying on the balcony or without a removable cover.
Such mattresses are less durable than latex structures: with daily use they will last a maximum of 8-10 years. When choosing a polyurethane foam sample, you have to focus on the user’s weight, otherwise the service life will be significantly shorter.

Main manufacturers

“Yomna” produced by the Swedish company IKEA, which has been on the production market for more than 60 years. This product has medium hardness and a height of 10 cm. This is a fairly budget model, which is often used as an additional layer on old sofas or beds. judging by the reviews, buyers appreciate, first of all, its dense filling and the presence of a removable cover, which allows it to be washed;
"Malfors" produced by IKEA. The product is made of dense polyurethane, there are two types - hard and medium hardness, with a height of 12 cm. According to reviews, buyers note the affordable price of the product, the elasticity of the mattress, as well as the presence of a cover with a zipper;
"Moshult" produced by IKEA. This model is made of elastic polyurethane, has a height of 10 cm, and ensures the correct position of the spine during sleep. Buyers note an acceptable price for a quality product, as well as a 90-day guarantee;
"Malvik" made by IKEA. The product is white, medium hard, has a removable cover, height 14 cm, provides optimal support for the spine. Judging by the reviews, buyers note the quality of the material, the presence of a removable cover, and easy transportation, since the mattress can be rolled up;
Ivanovo mattresses (economy). The products are made of high-quality polyurethane and have an orthopedic effect. The height of the mattresses is 6 cm, 10 cm and 18 cm. The main advantages of the products that buyers note are the lightness of the mattress and its low cost.

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Latex mattresses: what is their advantage?

The peculiarity of products made from such material consists of a number of characteristics. Latex mattresses have the following advantages:

Excellent ventilation;
High level of elasticity;
Hygiene of materials.

This small list of advantages is fueled by the fact that in the production of latex mattresses natural materials are used, which, as is known, are prepared from the sap of the rubber tree. The resulting configuration during processing resembles the cells of a bee honeycomb: they contain a lot of air. Due to the presence of such a filler, the product is saturated with air channels, which ensure ideal air exchange.

Important! A latex mattress has increased elasticity and is superior in service life to many other spring products. But if you note the shortcomings of such products, then this is a high price. The production and processing of rubber tree sap is a long and expensive procedure, which is why the cost of latex materials is extremely high.

Comparison with mattresses made from other materials

Spring and polyurethane foam

Regular spring mattresses are practically unsuitable for sleeping due to their design. The springs inside the mattress are interconnected in such a way that during sleep, under the weight of the body, the product resembles a hammock. Not only the springs on which a person sleeps are subject to compression, but also the neighboring ones. There is no point in talking about any orthopedic effect here. The product can only approximately replicate the outline of the human body.

The polyurethane foam mattress perfectly retains its shape, follows the contours of a person, has medium hardness, but at the same time remains soft and elastic. In terms of durability, spring models are not inferior to polyurethane ones. Both options can be used for a long time. Spring mattresses have a fairly affordable price, which corresponds to the quality; PU foam products are slightly higher in the price category, which also affects the quality.

The link describes a universal euro sofa cover.

Latex and polyurethane foam

Latex is a natural material that has many positive properties necessary for a high-quality orthopedic mattress. The advantages of latex include breathability, hypoallergenicity, moisture resistance, and a low likelihood of the spread of fungi, mites and bacteria. They hold their shape perfectly, clearly following the contours of a sleeping person’s body.

Polyurethane mattresses are almost as good in properties as latex ones; the former, unfortunately, are not so resistant to moisture, which leads to the growth of bacteria inside the product. But this can be avoided if you use the mattress according to the instructions. As for the price, latex models are much more expensive than their counterparts.

Mattresses made of polyurethane foam (PPU), including vacuum mattresses in rolls

In the production of polyurethane foam mattresses, elastic polyurethane foam (furniture PU foam) is used. Polyurethane foam (PPU) is an artificial cellular filler (visually comparable to a sponge) and is a proven and safe material, which confirms its widespread use in everyday life. The main distinguishing feature of PU foam mattresses is their light weight, so such mattresses are well suited, for example, for beds that are folded into a closet in a vertical position.

You can read more about polyurethane foam in the article “Polyurethane foam | Description of materials used in mattresses."

Springless polyurethane foam mattresses are produced in two types:

Mattresses made from a monolithic (single) block of polyurethane foam with an average height of about 16 cm.
From thin layers of polyurethane foam (for example, a mattress 16 cm high will consist of 5 layers of 3 cm each) - this is a cheaper method, polyurethane foam is usually used of lower quality, the layers are connected using glue.

In terms of hardness, such mattresses are usually produced closer to hard (above medium hardness) or medium hardness, and less often closer to soft (below medium hardness). Mattresses above medium hardness are perfect for children, teenagers and young adults; taking into account the light weight of the sleeper, you can choose a mattress of good hardness at a low price.

The main characteristics of polyurethane foam are density and rigidity. Density is a value that reflects the ratio of mass and volume (kg/m3). The ratio of density and hardness determines the quality of PU foam in mattresses. In this case, the main indicator is density, the higher the density, the better. And the rigidity may not be high (for example: in cheap brands of polyurethane foam the density indicator is low, but the rigidity indicator is high).

Manufacturers of mattresses almost never indicate the physical values of density and hardness, but at the same time, conscientious manufacturers indicate real figures for such important indicators as: maximum load per 1 bed and the service life of the mattress. Based on these indicators, polyurethane foam in springless mattresses can be divided into 3 classes:

Cheap - mattresses with such a filling are often no higher than average in terms of hardness, and are among the cheapest, with an average service life of 3 years, and a maximum load per bed of up to 90 kg.
Normal - mattresses with such a filling are often of medium or above medium hardness (closer to hard), relatively inexpensive, service life on average 5-7 years, maximum load - up to 110 kg.
Good - mattresses with such a filling are often of medium or above medium hardness; such mattresses are expensive and can often be more expensive than spring mattresses with an independent PF "TFK" or even "Multipackage". The service life is on average 10 years, the maximum load can reach up to 140 kg.

Cheap polyurethane foam mattresses are also called PU foam or foam mattresses.

Note: Foam rubber is the trade name for elastic polyurethane foam, which in the Soviet Union was mainly produced by the Scandinavian company Porolon. Therefore, many have the opinion that mattresses made of polyurethane foam are always of low quality, but this is not so. Polyurethane foam is generally widely used in everyday life, for example: in car seats, in sofas, in sponges for washing dishes, in construction foam blocks. PPU material has wide application and varied quality.

The rest of the mattresses are made from PU foam, usually called mattresses made from artificial latex (highly elastic PU foam).

Some mattress manufacturers additionally indicate the brand of polyurethane foam used - this is useful information that can be used to assess the quality of the filler. For example, a foreign brand may be indicated in the description of the filler (for example: Vegaflex artificial latex manufactured by Vita, England) - this is an indicator that most likely the PU foam is of minimum quality not lower than average, because usually the PU foam of foreign brands used in mattresses is of good quality, and at the same time, knowing the manufacturer of polyurethane foam, you can find out some additional information about the filler. Also, some Russian manufacturers, extremely rarely, indicate the brand of Russian polyurethane foam, knowing this data you can find out the characteristics of the polyurethane foam used (the brands of Russian polyurethane foam can be found, for example, on the website of the SIBPLAST plant).

You can evaluate the quality of the filler by touch when comparing two mattresses of the same hardness. The higher the quality of polyurethane foam, the higher the density and elasticity, i.e. if you press on the mattress, for example, from above with your hand clenched into a fist, the mattress will push your hand back. A mattress that has a higher buoyant effect (elasticity) is better, because the filler will recover faster after load and will last longer.

The photograph shows samples of two mattresses of the same hardness (above average), the one on the left has a mattress with lower elasticity and density than the mattress on the right.

What does vacuum mattresses on a roll mean?

The photographs show a single vacuum mattress measuring approximately 80x200 cm.

Vacuum mattresses on a roll are mattresses that are compressed in height under a special press at the factory, hermetically packaged in a special plastic vacuum packaging and rolled into a compact roll (along the length of the mattress). For example, a springless polyurethane foam mattress measuring 160x200 cm and a height of 20 cm, in vacuum packaging will be 160 cm long and a roll diameter of about 40 cm, weighing about 18 kg (for example, a regular spring mattress weighs on average about 40-50 kg). Such mattresses are very convenient for independent transportation (for example, it’s easy to take a mattress to the country in your own car).

Most PU foam mattresses are vacuum packed.

You can additionally read about comparisons and descriptions of specific mattress models in the article “Vacuum mattresses in rolls for home and garden.”

A visual video about the factory packaging of a vacuum mattress in a roll and an example of unpacking the mattress

Prices

Prices for polyurethane mattresses start from 1,700 rubles, this applies to budget models. A higher-quality mattress with a guarantee will cost, accordingly, more – from 4,000 rubles. Mattresses made of hard polyurethane can be purchased for up to 10,000 rubles, and products with memory effect will cost the buyer 23-25 thousand rubles. Prices for special anti-decubitus mattresses vary from 3,000 rubles to 38,000 rubles, depending on the characteristics of the mattress and its filling.

Mattresses made of polyurethane have a soft material that is pleasant to the touch. They are able to withstand high pressure, so they are perfect for people who are overweight to relax. It is believed that the products do not cause harm. PU foam products are characterized by orthopedic properties, which allows you to completely relax and forget about back pain or body aches. In addition, such mattresses have a fairly reasonable price, which will not break your pocket.

Here you can read about thin mattresses for a sofa. Here you will find more information about bed mattress sizes. You might also be interested in a newborn bathing mattress.

Positive and negative aspects of the product

Advantages:

A foam mattress has a good value for money. It is easy to manufacture and the raw materials are inexpensive.
You can use it on your bed, at the dacha, or equip an additional sleeping place for guests. The product is easy to transport in a car or carry by hand. The material is lightweight and can be easily rolled up.
The foam mattress is elastic and resilient. Restores its shape after vacuum packaging or during use.
It has orthopedic properties, supports the spine during sleep, and repeats the anatomy of the body of a resting person.
The upper is soft and comfortable. If you place it on a hard surface, a comfortable rest will be ensured. Smoothes out unevenness of sofas and old beds well. The varied degree of rigidity of the products allows the most demanding customer to choose the desired option.
The breathability of the material allows the body to breathe. Its structure has cavities and allows air to easily pass through.
The product is resistant to dust mites and does not contain allergenic components.
The material does not support combustion.
The removable cover is made for practical care and is easy to wash.

Flaws:

fear of direct sunlight;
a polyurethane foam mattress cannot be washed with water, it absorbs moisture - it must be dry cleaned;
It is advisable to ventilate frequently and collect dust with a vacuum cleaner.

Attention! Foam rubber slightly absorbs moisture even from the air; ventilation is necessary.

Pros and cons of polyurethane foam

This material really has a number of interesting qualities.

In addition to its low cost, its advantages include the rapid restoration of its original shape due to the porous structure and high density and elasticity, low thermal conductivity, and a high level of moisture resistance.

Another very important point is that polyurethane foam does not burn on its own. The combustion process of this material occurs exclusively in the presence of an open flame source.

Characteristics

Like their counterparts, polyurethane mattresses have strengths and weaknesses. This is a mass of varieties that differ from each other in shape (rectangular, square, oval), thickness, level and load distribution.

Such mattresses have a number of advantages. They:

do not irritate the user’s skin, even particularly sensitive and allergy-prone skin;
due to their structure, they have good air exchange, which eliminates the formation of an environment for microorganisms (fungus, mold) and the appearance of an unpleasant odor;
have high levels of elasticity, elasticity and density, quickly return to their original shape (in the absence of load);
safe for the user, practically do not cake, will not crumble, although they may change slightly in color along the edges of the mattress;
depending on the structure of the block, they have different degrees of rigidity (depending on the selected thickness and density of the layer);
have a wide range of models designed for different ages of the user (children, adults, elderly, sick people);

when supplemented with different padding, they can have an additional effect;
do not have large voids in the base, therefore they are resistant to dust accumulation;
are developed taking into account the permissible load and different numbers of users (for one, two seats for two people of average weight);
complemented by a high-quality textile cover made of natural non-slip fabric;
Based on the type of structure and the price of the components, they differ in different prices.

These mattresses are suitable for heavier people. They are optimally soft, so they are relevant for those who have pain in the upper spine. The location on such blocks is always convenient and comfortable.

What is polyurethane foam?

Since the product is artificial, many consider it a source of volatile compounds harmful to human health.

When burning in an open flame, it does indeed emit harmful substances, like any other artificial material, but there is no scientifically proven data on the harm caused to human health under normal conditions.

It should be noted that polyurethane foam belongs to the cheap category, which is the reason for its use in the production of a number of household products, including mattresses.

Polyurethane foam or foam mattresses are among the cheapest, which is the reason for their increased demand.

Rigidity

This indicator determines the density of the material from which the foam mattress is made:

Soft version , designed for an average user weight of up to 90 kg. Has a standard density of 25 kg/m3.
medium-hard model is suitable for two vacationers, whose total weight does not exceed 110 kg, density 25 - 30 kg/m3.
Hard , has a filler that can withstand 140 kg. Its density is above 30 kg/m3. It is better if such a mattress has a soft foam top covering.

Highly elastic polyurethane foam is used to make expensive mattresses. Such products have excellent orthopedic functions, ideally follow the anatomy of the human body, and support the spine. In multi-layer products, the top layer is soft and comfortable, the bottom layer has a high support coefficient.