Here is your simple guide to understand everything about a single futon mattress.
To simply put, a futon mattress is nothing but a mat made of cotton which can be folded with ease.
While in the beginning years, futon mattresses were handmade, these days a majority of them are made in manufacturing units which produce mattresses in huge scales – that of hundreds and thousands per day. A majority of mattresses produced are of traditional innerspring variety in US. Although at first cotton dominated material used in making mattresses, these days wool and various synthetics such as foam and polyester are also used. These days futon mattress of cotton foam combination are most popular in the market.
Most manufacturers now regularly make innerspring futon mattress. Even though they are not popular, a quite a lot of hybrid products are available in the market. Their alternative more in demand counterparts are cotton and foam combination mattresses in various percentages and 100% cotton mattresses.
The latest being offered in the market are futon mattresses which are comparatively more plush, more soft and premium and ofcourse, offered are a higher range. These mattresses are quite a hit with customers and in typical standard furniture stores. This is because these mattresses are quite similar to the upholstered sofa or sofabed in terms of look and feel. Customers buy more of what they know and understand.
The Four Futon Mattress Characteristics
Here are four standard characteristics used to describe a futon mattress –
1. Weight
2. Firmness
3. Rigidity
4. Flexibility
Weight
The weight of a futon can make a lot of difference in the way a customer will experience the futon mattress. The lighter the mattress, the better it is for the consumer provided this does not degrade the quality of the matress. If the futon mattress is less than five inch thick, it will bottom out when used. This basicallu means, the person sitting or sleeping on the mattress will feel the futon frame below the mattress. Quite an uncomfortable and not pleasant experience.
Firmness
Firmness is basically all about softness or hardness of the mattress. How does the mattress feel when you are using it in sitting or sleeping position? The material with which mattress is made will affect the softness or hardness of it. Cotton and visco foams feel hard, low density foams and polyester feel soft.
Rigidity
A futon mattress completely opened is used for sleeping and the same mattress in it’s sleeping form is used for sitting as a couch. Since the same mattress will be folded and unfolded each day, it is important to test it to remain in the same position as is desired. This is what rigidity is all about. Rigidity means the mattress should remain folded in a sofa position when put in that manner. Some materials react to gravity more tan others. For instance while foam will remain upright against a wall if you place it in that manner, a ball of cotton will fall off right away.
Flexibility
We just spoke about how important it is for the mattress to remain in open/close position or rather folded/unfolded position. This also means that it is important that the mattress easily folds and unfolds. Flexibility is what defines this requirement. Folding or rather flexibility is extremely important in a futon mattress when it is used as a sofa sleeper. If the visioned use of your mattress is on a platform bed then this is not really that important.
How important are all these characteristics in deciding which mattress to buy? The answer is it depends. It depends upon how exactly do you plan to use your single futon mattress. Are you planning to use it only to sleep on? That too on a platform bed? Then rigidity is no where on your list of priorities. But if you are primarily looking for a sofa which becomes a bed on the occasional guest visit then rigidity is a must for you. Because otherwise in a non rigid mattress, your mattress will start sagging in the middle when in sofa position.