- Buy a bed that is on the firm side of your comfort level. All beds get gradually softer over a period of time. However the #1 Mistake people make when buying a bed is they buy one that is too hard. If you can not get comfortable on a mattress, the fact it may last longer is irrelevant. The #2 Mistake people make when buying a bed is buying one which is too tall. One must check how far their bed is off the floor before going shopping. The #3 Mistake people make is not consulting with the other family members who will share or sleep on the bed.
- Many beds wear out on the top first, then the inside parts. Choose a bed with a snug, high quality cover. A loose fitting and/or lightweight cover will show wear immediately.
- The cushioning layers should be of the highest quality. Many manufactures will put a high quality cushioning layer under the quilted surface, but beneath that layer will put a promotional grade layer. This makes the bed look very good and thick at a great price, plus the mattress’s features are impressive, but the new mattress develops a hole very quickly.
- The most durable part of a good bed should be the spring unit. Sit on the mattress. A good spring unit should not struggle to support your weight, nor should it be hard as a rock. A quality spring unit should be heavy. More coils make a mattress more stable. (shake and jiggle less) Many hard spring units are lightweight and fragile. (The domestic spring units we use are twice tempered and withstand being fully compressed and crated. If a spring unit can not withstand being fully compressed and crated it is no good.)
- Box spring wood needs to be of the highest grade. The major knots in the wood must be sorted out. (Today’s wood has more knots in it than years ago, so a competent builder should be inspecting the wood as it is put together.) Your new mattress set needs to sit on a frame that is in good shape with adequate center support. Many beds have inadequate or no center support.
Thanks for the advice about looking at mattresses that have snug, high-quality covers that won’t wear immediately. My husband and I have slept on the same mattress for 20 years, and now that my husband is having back pain, we want to get something comfortable that will last another 20. We’ll be sure to look at the covers to make sure it’s snug instead of getting one that’s just comfortable.
My wife and I are wanting to get a new mattress soon, but we aren’t sure where to start. I like that you suggest getting a bed with a snug, high-quality cover so that it doesn’t wear out as quickly. We want it to last as long as possible, so we’ll be sure to ask about this when looking.