The mattress and the grid must fit together perfectly. How to choose them correctly?

If you want to enjoy a good restorative sleep, it’s important to choose not only the right mattress, but also a mattress grid that supports its proper functioning. You can’t just put a mattress on a grid. The right grid helps to distribute the pressure on the mattress and also promotes aeration. What is useful to know when combining a mattress and a mattress?

In a nutshell: choosing a mattress and grid

When choosing a mattress and mattress, you need to follow some basic rules to help you choose the best product.

Choosing a mattress

If you are considering buying a new mattress, consider:

• dimensions – the mattress should be 20-25 cm longer than the height of the sleeper.
• Load capacity – the load capacity should always be about 10 to 20% more than the weight of the sleeper.
• Hardness – should correspond to the sleeping position and weight of the sleeper.
• Height – the height of a quality mattress ranges from 17 to 22 cm. Remember that a higher mattress is easier to get up from. Lower mattresses cannot provide the necessary support for your back or a comfortable enough rest.
• Material – choose according to your preferences, health limitations, sleeping position, but also according to the type of mattress.

Choice of grate

How to choose the right grate?

• Weight of the sleeper – the weight capacity of the mattress should exceed the weight of the sleeper by 10 to 15 kg.
• Type of mattress – flexible materials are suitable for adjustable and slatted mattresses, non-flexible and natural materials are placed on fixed mattresses.
• Medical conditions – people with reduced mobility will appreciate the electrically adjustable grates.
• Sleep habits – if you read or watch TV in bed, you’ll appreciate a reclining mattress.

How to get the right mattress and mattress combination

There are several types of mattress bases or bed mattress grates. Choose the right one depending on the mattress you sleep on. When choosing a mattress topper, you will come across 3 basic designs, each with different features and suitable for a different mattress.

• Solid,
• flexible,
• positioning.

OUR TIP: The main function of the mattress grid is to help the mattress distribute pressure, but also to ensure proper air circulation. If you have a bed with a storage space that is filled to the top of the grate, the mattress cannot breathe properly, leading to mold and the growth of microorganisms.

For which mattresses is a fixed grid suitable

A fixed grate is defined as either a board or a fixed slatted grate that cannot spring. Therefore, sleeping on a mattress placed on a solid slatted mattress will be harder.

Solid full plate

It is the cheapest “grate”. Since it has no gaps to allow proper air circulation in the mattress, there is the more complicated issue of mattress hygiene. A person sweats out several decilitres of sweat per night, which is partly absorbed into pyjamas, bed linen, but also into the mattress. To prevent the mattress from becoming mouldy, the moisture must be wicked away. Since the solid board lacks openings for airflow and moisture removal, only mattresses with a specific construction that ensures moisture removal can be placed on it.

The mattress is suitable for a full board:

• spring or pocket mattresseswhich are full of air and can ventilate better,
• foam mattresses with air channels or other technical solutions that improve ventilation.

Unsuitable mattresses for a full slab:

• foam without ventilation technology. These mattresses can become mouldy.

Fixed slat grid

This is a grid consisting of a varying number of fixed slats. These can be fixed directly in the frame or connected by fabric cords. Since the grid does not spring, this must be catered for by the mattress. This is why thin mattresses, which are helped by slatted mattresses, are not suitable for this type of mattress. Sleeping on a thin mattress with a firm slatted mattress will be harder.

Suitable mattress for fixed slatted grid:

• spring and bag mattresses,
• foam mattresses with sufficiently thick foam to provide cushioning.

Unsuitable mattress for fixed slatted grid:

• thin mattresses that do not spring (unless you prefer to sleep on a harder surface).

For which mattresses is a spring mattress suitable

The flexible grid consists of flexible slats. As the slats are springy and can help the mattress with cushioning, they are ideal for materials that lack significant springiness. This is why they are suitable for foam or latex mattresses, which, although they can follow the shape of the body perfectly, are not as resilient. The problem of elasticity is also more pronounced for mattresses with a lower height.

Thanks to the resilience of the mattress, you can count on the mattress to last longer. Since the slats can absorb some of the pressure exerted on the mattress, the mattress is less stressed and therefore lasts longer.

Suitable mattresses for a flexible mattress:

• foam,
• latex,
• mattress with coconut board.

For which mattresses is a positioning grid suitable

The positioning grids are made of flexible slats. Positioning is possible either manually or electrically in the head and foot area. Electrically operated slatted grates are especially appreciated by the elderly or people after surgery. Thanks to the positioning, you can adjust the optimum height in the head area, the leg area or both.

Adjustable mattresses are compatible with mattresses made of resilient materials. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about putting latex, lazy foam or cold foam mattresses and other elastic foams on them. Foam mattresses will easily bend on the grate and then return to their original position. However, spring and pocket sprung mattresses or mattresses with a coconut board, which can be damaged by positioning, do not belong on reclining mattresses.

Suitable mattresses for reclining mattresses:

• latex,
• made of lazy, cold or other elastic foam.

Unsuitable mattresses for reclining mattresses:

• spring and bag mattresses,
• mattress with coconut board.

To take full advantage of all the anatomical features your mattress has to offer, combine it with the right mattress topper. Plus, you’ll also ensure it lasts longer.