Most of the world sleeps on springs. The spring mattress, that is. There are several good reasons for that. Chief among them is the fact that the spring mattress has proven itself a good option for more than a century. However, today, with other options, such as memory foam, waterbeds and air mattresses, is the spring mattress still a good choice? The answer is ‘yes' and let's find out why!

Brief History of the Spring Mattresses

Mattresses, of course, have been with us for centuries. In ancient days, the mattresses were little more than stuffed mats. The idea of springs on the bed started with the box spring, which provided a support for the mattress. It was introduced in the 19th century. Then, in the 1930s, spring began showing up as a filler for the mattress, to provide a firmer sleeping experience. From this point, the whole mattress industry was born. Today, that industry includes heavyweights such as Silentnight mattresses, Sealy mattresses, Rest Assured mattresses and others.

Types of Spring Mattresses

Not all spring mattresses are made alike. There are actually different spring configurations whether you buy Sealy beds, Silentnight beds or Rest Assured beds. The chief difference lies in the coils.

• Most common are the Bonnell coils, which are shaped like an hourglass, with the ends of the wire knotted or wrapped around the bottom and top circular portions.

• With encased coils, each coil is wrapped separately in a textile material.

• Marshall coils are wrapped inside a fabric encasement. They're usually tempered.

• Offset coils are sturdy, stable and designed to hinge so that they better conform to the shape of the body.

• Continuous coils work with a hinging effect similar to the offset coil. It's a continuous piece of metal that forms one row in an up and down fashion.

Benefits of Spring Mattresses

With the new technology found in memory foam mattresses, are there still advantages to the old-fashioned spring mattress? Absolutely! Look for the spring variety while buying Silentnight mattresses, Sealy mattresses or Rest Assured mattresses can experience the different it can make. Here are a few advantages for you to consider.

• The spring mattress is almost always the most affordable option.

• The spring mattress will hold its original shape longer than the memory foam mattress will.

• The spring mattress keeps the body cooler. This is because the memory foam mattress, by design, molds itself to every curve of the body, leaving nowhere for the air to touch. A spring mattress leaves more of the body untouched by the mattress, allowing cooling air to reach those parts.

Is One Spring Mattress As Good As the Next?

Having said this, not every spring mattress is necessarily a good buy. You should still make sure that you buy only from trusted names. This means, deal with retailers with a good reputation and buy mattresses from those who are brand leaders. Names such as Sealy beds, Silentnight beds and Rest Assured beds will probably last longer than some generic off-brand. Even if Silentnight beds or beds from these other manufacturers are a bit more expensive, a better night's sleep will be worth it.