So why not just take the time to really see what options are out there? You will find so many other choices that take advantage of our newest technology, are not only half the price but provide a much healthier environment for you to sleep. All the new types of mattresses and beds are specifically designed sleep systems that provide the right support to minimize pressure to acceptable levels for different body types and sleeping postures, maintaining back and spine alignment. The coils and springs mattresses can only say this when they come with the memory foam pillow top. The coils and springs can’t really “fill in the gaps” to support the parts of your body that do not sink into the coils, such as your lower back.

Coils and springs mattresses’ biggest claim to fame is that the coils work independently so when you move, your partner doesn’t. Great, but how much does that matter if you’re not comfortable and you wake up tired and stiff? And in all honesty, I don’t know anyone who actually “bowls” in bed.

So what are the options out there? There are four different types of new technology sleep systems that really are a great bang for the buck and are very affordable and provide many health and convenient benefits compared to coils and springs.

1) Air Mattress Beds – Air Mattress Beds cradle and cushion your body, providing more even weight distribution without the poking and prodding possible from a standard coil spring mattress. Easy to use handheld controls and a state of the art ultra-quiet air inflation system allow each sleeper to quickly adjust the firmness of their side of the air bed to the perfect comfort level, with just the touch of a button. Imagine, now couples can individually adjust each side of the air bed to the exact firmness and comfort level each partner prefers. (Tip: Look for horizontal baffling and contoured foam edges for quality construction.)

2) Adjustable Beds – Now any sincere mattress salesman won’t push the watching TV or reading in bed, it’s not something that we should recommend. But with today’s lifestyles this has become a normal way of life for some people. So if that’s the case then you really should think about doing it right! With the touch of a button, adjustable beds move into hundreds of relaxing positions. All without creating pressure, stress or strain on your body. Touch a button again and experience a new concept in comfort, while your own personal massage system helps to relieve tired, sore muscles, and reduce everyday tension and fatigue. Encourage restful sleep through relaxation. (Tip: Concentrate on the frame construction, don’t fall for the “mattress included” it’s rarely of any quality.)

3) Latex Beds – Latex mattresses provide the most comfortable sleep surface in the world. Already immensely popular in Europe, Latex Mattresses are beginning to boom here in the United States. More and more Americans are learning about the tremendous advantages of Latex Mattresses everyday. The Talalay Process produces the highest quality, most resilient and consistent latex foam in the industry. Its consistent cell structure and exact density result in the most even firmness and feel possible. You can also buy Natural latex products. (Tip: Look for US made foam with layered construction, as this gives you quality foam and creates a variety of comfort levels to choose from.)

4) Memory Foam Beds – Well I think the word is out on this one, I’m sure you’ve heard all the NASA explanations of why this is used in the Space Shuttle and seen the “handprint” pictures. But, in case you haven’t, Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattresses utilize amazing, space age and NASA developed Visco Elastic Memory Foam. Visco Elastic Memory Foam is temperature sensitive. It actually reacts to the heat produced by your body, conforming to your body in a way no other material can. Where your body is making the most contact with the memory foam, the foam reacts and becomes softer. Where your body is making less contact, the foam stays cooler and remains more firm. The result is pressure being evenly distributed throughout the sleeper’s body, leading to fewer pressure points and a more restorative sleep. (Tip: Again, look out for problem European foam; US made Sensus with layered construction for the same quality and comfort level benefits.)

All of these new age sleep systems can be purchased for a fraction of what a coils and springs mattress goes for and depending on the mattress, you can adjust the foam layers to personalize your comfort level as you please. And don’t forget about the many major sleep benefits from all the sleep system technology. You just can’t miss, if you have to purchase a mattress or sleep system, you owe it to yourself to check these out, not only for your health but for your pocketbook too, ouch again!

Tune in to my next articles where I’ll break down what to look for in each of the new age sleep systems.

Why Sleep On Coils and Springs When You Can Sleep On Air?

Take time to consider the highest, quality, luxury and convenience of air mattress beds, adjustable beds, latex beds and memory foam beds, including mattress toppers and pillows.

Cloud 9 Air Mattress Beds, for more information click http://cloud9airmattressbeds.com

About the author:

Neil Teasdale is the Owner of Cloud 9 Air Mattress Beds. Dedicated to helping others understand the immediate and long term life and health benefits of proper sleep habits. We provide the highest quality sleep systems including air mattress beds, adjustable beds, latex beds, memory foam beds, mattress toppers, bed warmers and pillows at very affordable prices with Free Shipping!

Written By: Neil Teasdale

There are many styles of iron bed frames available, such as American and European antique reproductions, modern and custom designs, as well as cribs and cradles, childrens’ beds and daybeds.

Some companies specialize in restoring real antique cast iron furniture, since items made of this durable material exist dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Since bed sizes used to be smaller, original twin and full size beds can be converted to king and queen sizes. Many of these antiques are canopy beds, exotic and stylish, especially if draped in fabrics to match the decor of the bedroom.

The term wrought is the archaic past tense of the verb to work. As the English language changed over time, the word has been changed to “worked”. Therefore, wrought iron literally means “worked iron”. The process of making these products is quite precise and complicated. Some mass-produced, light-weight ornamental metal work is not made of iron, but is actually milled steel.

True wrought iron is a very pure form of commercial iron with a low carbon content. It is tough, bendable and easy to weld. It is too soft to be made into high-quality knives or swords, and rusts easily. For the purpose of weapon-making, societies which discovered how to carbonize iron and mix it with other metals to make steel had a great advantage in warfare over their more primitive neighbors. Because wrought iron is a more basic and universal product, it is the “iron” referred to throughout history.

Archeologists find evidence of iron smelting as far back as 3000 BC in China. Wrought iron was originally made by a method called bloomery. Bloomeries employed small charcoal smelters, often pots or ladles, into which iron ore (iron oxide, or rusted iron) was placed and covered with a thin layer of charcoal. The charcoal was lit and air was blown onto it with a bellows, causing the ore to melt partially. During this process, the oxygen atoms would be released from the iron to bind with the carbon in the charcoal, releasing carbon dioxide which would bubble away. Therefor, little of the carbon entered the melted iron.

Using this old method, the fire does not get hot enough to melt the iron completely, so a spongy mass is produced containing iron and silicates from the ore, called iron bloom, which is how the technique gets its name. The bloom is then manually worked to remove the slag and impurities, giving rise to the term “wrought”, as the iron was pounded, twisted, and folded. Hammering a piece of wrought iron compacts the fibers, increasing the strength of the product, though it lacks the carbon content necessary for heat-tempering. During this process, many thin layers of slag are mixed into the metal, producing a distinct “grain”, and a fibrous appearance when broken or bent. Old, rusted pieces of wrought iron have a very distinct grain and resemble reddish-brown wood.

Producing iron by hand in a bloomery was a slow, small-scale and labor-intensive process. Iron production began on a much larger scale with the introduction of blast furnaces, which date back to approximately 1100 to 1300 in Europe. These furnaces produce bars of pig iron, a brittle compound with a high carbon content. By the 1750s, a number of oxides had been discovered to remove the carbon as carbon dioxide, similar to the process in a bloomery. Because blast furnaces completely melt the iron, the metal can be molded into cast iron products at this stage. However, cast iron is too brittle to be worked into shapes as is possible with wrought iron.

Wrought iron would be further processed by faggoting, a method whereby the iron bars would be bundled together like sticks of firewood and hammered into one piece, just as iron was worked by hand in medieval times. Each time the iron was folded and stretched, it became a bit stronger. Wrought iron which had been faggoted twice was referred to as “Best”, and had a tensile strength of 23 tons per square inch; if faggoted again it would become “Best Best”, then “Treble best” with a strength of 28 tons per square inch. With each processing, impurities would form as long thin inclusions, just as with hammering.

Due to the unique grain of wrought iron, it is difficult to work with; like wood, if stressed too much, it will split along the grain. Working with wrought iron is an art form that can take years to perfect. Unlike mass-produced milled steel items, a wrought iron product is a piece of art.

Wrought iron can be painted in any color, and many manufacturers do custom painting and design. Cast iron can be formed into any shape, so if you have a design or picture you want replicated, bring it to a cast iron shop and they will work the image into your furniture. Buying wrought iron will give you a unique piece of furniture, and helps support local artisans and industries.

About the Author:

J Schipper loves iron beds Washington DC Storage Luxury Toronto Real Estate

Written By: J Schipper

Beginning on plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia, latex is sap milked from rubber trees in a manner not unlike collecting maple syrup. Local workers harvest the liquid latex and prepare it to be processed. The liquid latex is then shipped in drums to locations in Europe and the United States where it is manufactured into mattress cores and toppers, as well as pillows. Unlike Talalay processed latex foams, natural latex has no added petroleum or other chemical additives making it a truly all natural material. Being a 100% renewable resource, as well as biodegradable, natural latex does not have the taxing effect on the environment as other conventional bedding material.

2. In bedding, natural latex provides support where it is needed most by contouring to the bodys natural nuances:

It relieves pressure points, particularly at the shoulders and hips, and it allows for better circulation with less tossing and turning. The result is a deeper, more restful slumber.

3. Natural latex is remarkably conducive to situations that require custom mattresses:

Available in a wide range of firmness levels, it is simple to build a mattress that caters to an individuals needs: his and her sided beds, toppers, and more. Because of the wide variety of firmness variations available, natural latex can help ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when it matters most. Integrating an open cell structure with a pin core design allows for maximum breathability essential for removing excess heat and moisture that can prevent a good nights sleep.

4. For those who struggle with allergies natural latex provides a safe haven as it is naturally hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial:

This means that moulds, mildew, and dust mites that may help trigger allergies will not be waiting for you in bed, where they can be the most frustrating.

5. A naturally resilient and durable material, natural latex will supply consistent performance for 20 years or more.

6. The Advantages of Latex mattresses have been tried, tested and proven in Europe for decades:

Unlike the plethora of new age sleep systems available today, latex mattresses have been tried and tested in Europe for over twenty years. Their ability to withstand the test of time as well as provide an all-natural sleep surface that conforms to the contours of the body is finally beginning to catch hold in the United States.

7. Other new age sleep systems cannot offer the same qualities as natural latex:

Viscoelastic (memory) foam offers good support and relieves pressure points, but comes up short in other areas. It is a chemical product that is not biodegradable and as such it is not environmentally friendly. It doesn’t breathe like natural latex, which translates to a more stuffy and sticky sleeping environment. Memory foam easily retains moisture and is an environment prone to dust mites and molds, leaving allergy sufferers sniffing and congested during what should be the most restful time of the day. Being far less resilient than natural latex, viscoelastic foam has a lifespan of only about 10 years, meaning it will need to be replaced twice as often:

8. Air beds, such as sleep number beds, offer much less support and pressure point relief than natural latex:

They are non-breathable bladders full of air so they offer no way to keep moisture and heat from building up during the night. The only advantage of this type of mattress is its adjustability, which is only an advantage to those who enjoy varying firmnesses.

9. Innerspring mattresses seem a thing of the past when compared to natural latex – they don’t provide nearly the amount of support and customization opportunities:

Frequent tossing and turning is the result of pressure points caused by a rigid spring system. The batting material in the cover cultivates any amount of dust mites, molds, and fungi giving them free range to reek havoc on allergies. Motion is easily transferred through the mattress decreasing the quality of sleep for couples. It is clear why the standard is changing.

10. The independent cell construction of natural latex is not prone to transfer movement allowing two people to comfortably share the same bed without disrupting each other with every motion.

Natural latex provides excellent support and effectively relieves pressure points. Couples can sleep soundly together without disruption. It is a natural product and is environmentally sound. Designed to be breathable it is effective in keeping heat and moisture build up to a minimum for more comfortable sleep. Finally, it is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to keep allergy sufferers well rested. It is easy to see why natural latex is far and away the best natural sleeping surface available.

About The Author

Ben Hermsen, a latex mattress enginner, is a manager for http://www.foamsource.com where he champions the benefits of latex mattresses, toppers and pillows for both individual health and also the preservation of our natural environment.

Written By: Ben Hermsen

The organic bedroom trend is motivated by some very recent disturbing discoveries about the petroleum-based foam mattresses most of us sleep on every night. Studies of household dust have confirmed that your mattress is likely one of the most significant sources of cancer-causing chemicals in your home. The average mattress consists of petroleum-based foam covered in petroleum-based polyester fabric. During its 10-year average lifetime, a foam mattress loses up to half its weight, and the lost weight goes on your bedroom floor in the form of toxic dust and in the air in the form of formaldehyde gas which is a by-product of the foam breakdown. Those dust bunnies under your bed could be a real threat to your health, unless you use an organic mattress which does not break down into these toxic by-products.

The foam mattress story gets even more scary. The average petroleum-based foam queen-sized mattress is soaked in about a pound of fire retardant chemicals called PDBEs, which have already been banned in Europe, but not in North America. PDBEs are chemicals which are similar to the banned PCBs, and they build up in the body like DDT and PCBs. The PDBEs are used because they are the simplest and cheapest way to conform to United States mattress fire resistance codes. They are also promoted by the chemical industry, which recently sponsored tightening of the mattress fire resistance codes, which will cause even greater quantities of PDBEs to be used in the manufacture of mattresses beginning in 2006. While these new codes will save an estimated 27 lives a year from fires, these new regulations play Russian roulette with the future health of the 285 million Americans that sleep on these petroleum-based foam mattresses. Those calling for a ban on PDBEs say the greater danger is not the lives lost in fires, but the potentially millions of cases of cancer caused by exposure to these chemicals over the coming decades.

The solution to this problem is to remove petroleum-based bedding from your home, and this has spawned the burgeoning organic bedroom movement. The cornerstone of this trend is the organic mattress, which is the same kind of mattresses our ancestors used before the rise of the petrochemical industry after World War II. It is also interesting to note that current cancer rates are more than 5 times higher than before World War II, when everybody was sleeping on organic mattresses by definition, because there was no petrochemical industry during those times.

Examples of an organic mattress include:

1. Organic cotton and wool batting innerspring mattresses with an organic cotton fabric cover. Wool is naturally fire retardant and meets all US fire codes.
2. A Natural latex mattress, whose foam is made from the latex sap of the rubber tree and which require no fire retardants because natural rubber does not burn well.
3. Luxury organic mattresses which use combination of all three materials, organic cotton, wool, and latex, to produce maximum comfort mattresses that rival any non-organic mattresses.
4. All organic cotton mattresses. Although cotton does not burn well, it requires a doctors prescription because cotton does not meet US fire resistance codes.

Organic mattresses also have comfort advantages over traditional petroleum-based foam mattresses. They wick away moisture from the body much more thoroughly than clammy polyester and man-made foam, stopping night sweating and cutting down on problems like athletes foot and jock itch. Wool also regulates body temperature very well, which is important for a restful sleep. Natural latex foam and wool are resistant to dust mites, which cause allergies in many people, and organic cotton and latex foam are both hypoallergenic materials. Organic mattresses are also considered a must for people with chemical sensitivities.

Major North American manufacturers of organic mattresses include Vivetique/Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, Royal Pedic, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. Retailers of organic mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers, and nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which often have the best prices for these mattresses.

About the Author

Mark Sweiger is a freelance reporter on home and garden topics and ecological news, and he can be reached via email at msweiger@NOSPAMearthlink.net . He is a definite believer in the value of using organic sheets and organic mattresses .

Written By: Mark Sweiger

Platform beds can be extremely simple. The extremely simple platform beds have no headboard or footboard, and certainly no canopy. They incorporate slats, which, in effect, replace the need for a box spring, since, because they are sturdy yet somehow slightly flexible, support the single mattress on top. The result is that you get a good night’s sleep, are very comfortable, and yet don’t end up with back pains or numb muscles in the morning.

It’s ever better for your back than sleeping on the floor. And now, with the rapid proliferation of memory foam, your platform bed can be even more comfortable and healthy. Memory foam is a gel-like polymer that accepts your shapes and bones, but supports it fully. (It was first used in hospitals, and is now a popular mattress and pillow material.)

Platform bed plans can be more complex too; you can add headboards, footboards, canopies, even extra flourishes and storage units. You can build the storage units as one with the bed frame, or you can create rolling drawers supported by castors, so that the drawers are modifiable and easily maneuverable throughout your bedroom.

It’s not the most difficult job in the world for a handyperson. If you want to build a platform bed, you can order platform bed plans from any of a number of plans retailers. Woodworking clubs, furniture enthusiast groups, and other organizations can give or sell you plans. You can also buy plans online.

About the author:

Platform Beds Info provides detailed information about contemporary, Japanese, discount, and wood platform beds and platform storage beds, as well as platform bed frames and plans. Platform Beds Info is the sister site of Futons Web.

Written By: Elizabeth Morgan