The Anatomy of a Mattress: Know How a Mattress is Made and Choose the Best One for You

Buying a mattress for your truck or RV can be tedious, especially when you don’t know the basic terms sellers use. So, here we are, bringing you a go-to glossary that you can use for your next mattress shopping. We have carefully categorized the terms for a more consolidated approach. 

Types of Mattresses

  • Adjustable Mattress

  • The base of an adjustable mattress can be bent, making them a perfect option for people with acid reflux, heartburn, and snoring issues. Moreover, they are super comfortable for RV livers as they can be used for reading and lounging.

  • Bed-in-a-Box

  • A bed-in-a-box mattress can be compressed and rolled so that you can pack and ship it easily. It’s usually manufactured using a foam mattress to retain its shape and strength.

  • Eurotop

  • It consists of an additional layer below the cover to increase the cushioning effect. It’s sewn to the top of a mattress giving it a structured appearance.

  • Hybrid Mattress

  • A hybrid mattress combines innerspring and foam mattresses, increasing its tensile strength. The first layer is of a memory form followed by durable innerspring coils. 

  • Innerspring Mattress

  • As the name says, multiple metal coils or springs are used in an innerspring mattress to offer extra cushioning. They are on the expensive side due to their exceptional durability and comfort.

  • Pillow Top

  • It has an additional layer of cushioning that is loosely connected to the top and can be made from different types of materials. It’s the perfect combination of strength, durability, and comfort.

    Construction and Material

  • Border Wire

  • A border wire is a strong metallic wire put across the perimeter of a mattress to help retain its shape. It also offers additional edge support giving it sturdier seating. 

  • Coils

  • You can see coils in innerspring and hybrid mattresses. It’s meant to give support through metallic springs that come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and configurations.

  • Comfort Layer

  • Comfort layers are a series of cushiony or foamy layers resting atop mattresses to offer support and comfort. These layers are responsible for determining the softness or firmness of any mattress.

  • Cover

  • A cover is the exterior fabric of a mattress that holds all the layers in place.

  • Foam

  • It’s a material that is found in almost all types of mattresses. There are several varieties of foam depending on their durability, comfort, and support.

  • Quilt

  • The quilt is a word for the top of the comfort layer, which is manufactured of foam or fibres under the mattress cover. It is also described as the stitching design of the cover or other padding layers. 



    Mattress Size

  • Twin Size

  • They are the smallest mattress and measure 38” x 75”.

  • Full Size

  • A full-size or double mattress is 54" x 75".

  • Queen Size

  • If you are looking for a queen-size mattress, then it would be 60” x 80”.

  • King Size

  • A king-size mattress measures 76” x 80”.

  • California King

  • California king mattresses are longer and narrower with 72” x 84” measurements.

    Mattress Feel and Comfort

  • Airflow

  • It is the measurement of air that can pass through the surface of the mattress. It varies depending upon the type of foam material and construction style. Airflow averts humidity inside the mattress that may cause a foul smell.

  • Alignment

  • Alignment is the body’s position. A mattress can correct spinal alignment and prevent dents in the back that cause severe body aches.

  • Motion Separation

  • This determines how well or poorly a mattress transfers motion between sleeping partners. So, if a mattress claims to offer good motion separation, then it means the movement made by one person in shifting their position on one side of the bed won’t be felt by the other.

  • Orthopaedic

  • An orthopaedic mattress supports joints, back, and overall body by focusing on deformities of the spine and joints.

  • Posturized

  • Posturized mattresses prevent sagging as they are designed to give extra support in the middle.

  • Pressure Points

  • Pressure points are body parts getting the most weight in a sleeping position. These points need support else, the blood flow will be restricted, causing pain, numbness, and improper sleep.

  • Zoned Support

  • Zoned support mattresses are designed to offer optimum support to different body parts. Usually, zoned mattresses have two to three zones that have distinct firmness levels to support the hip, torso, and legs.