Do I need a Box Spring for my Mattress? This question comes up at least once during bed shopping for 90% of all people. And for good reason. Box Springs are a multi-million dollar, multi-million tree chopping industry. So in light of the green revolution (re-co-lu-tion?) these days, one can only wonder: is there really a reason for all the senseless killing of defenseless trees just to have an extra foot of wood, fabric, and air underneath your fully functional mattress? As it turns out, the answer is both a resounding no with a hint of yes. The real kicker here is that most modern box springs don't actually have "springs" in them, which basically leaves just the "box" part as a truth. And this is exactly what they are, a wood-framed box covered with fabric. All of the bells, whistles, and 21st century technology go into the mattress part of the bed, which, if you were a well-informed bed shopper, could take on all sorts of exotic construction from innerspring, foam, visco-elastic (memory) foam, flotation (water), or air.
Since most box springs are hard, mattresses are designed to work perfectly well on just about any firm, hard surface. The floor is one. I've slept on a mattress on the floor for a good 8 years, and I can personally vouch for the undiminished comfort of such a setup. If there is one key argument for box springs, it is that certain touted mattress manufacturers will claim that a box spring can extend the life of a mattress. This statement is true only to the extent of the box spring providing additional spring cushioning, absorbing some of the wear that is normally exhibited onto the mattress itself. These manufacturers typically provide a box spring with their mattress, one that they say is specifically designed to be used with that mattress.
Realistically, from all of the research I have done on this (and with a girlfriend that constantly debates this point with me, I've done my share of research), I have concluded that box springs only do two things well, and that is 1. increase the overall height of the bed, and 2. soften the overall firmness of the bed (given that the box spring is not extremely firm). Helping the mattress last longer is a distant, distant, and arguable third. As a person who neither cares for a tall bed, nor a soft bed, I found that platform beds are the most stylishly modern, environmentally-friendly pieces of furniture to complement my mattress. You simply don't need a box spring for your mattress/bed.
What Are The Different Mattress Measurements?
Many people simply focus on the manufacturer and the soft or hardness they are looking for when choosing a mattress. What is often overlooked are the measurements of the different mattresses. You need to consider before choosing the right mattress for you and your partner is the length and width. These measurements account for movement during the night, the size of the people sleeping and the length of the people sleeping. The last thing you want is to get your mattress home and sleep with your feet hanging off the end each and every night.
The measurements of the USA mattresses are as follows:
• Twin Size: 39" wide X 75" long
• Long Twin Size: 39" wide X 80" long
• Double / Full: 54" wide X 75" long
• Queen Size: 60" wide X 80" long
• California King Size: 72" wide X 84" long
• King Size: 78" wide X 80" long
These are the standard measurements for mattresses of all brands and manufacturers. You will find that by simply knowing this information your success in purchasing a high quality and most importantly comfortable mattress will increase.
With so many different factors to consider when buying a mattress it can be easy to neglect the measurements and it is important to remember that these measurements are not only important for your sleep comfort but for your room as well. Someone with a small bedroom should not be investing in a king size bed that will take up every inch of space, just as someone else with a large room should consider a larger bed than a twin. These are all factors that need to be taken into consideration before a mattress is purchased.