Gel foam mattresses, also known as gel mattresses according to vintagematters, are becoming more and more important. They are elastic, temperature-neutral and extremely durable. Find out here what the special features of gel foam are and for whom gel foam mattresses are suitable.
What are gel (foam) mattresses?
Gel mattresses in the true sense of the word are mattresses that are filled with a viscous, heavy gel and work in a similar way to water beds. However, these offer little support and only limited ergonomically correct positioning.
More recommendable are mattresses with a layer of foamed gel (gel foam, brand name: Gelax ® ), which is light and flexible. The soft and very adaptable gel foam is always provided with a supportive core made of a firmer foam – e.g. B. Cold foam – combined to ensure perfect counter pressure and good support.
Structure of a gel foam mattress:
Each gel foam mattress consists of several layers:
- Gel foam:2 to 8 cm high gel foam sheet as the top and therefore closest to the body padding for very good body adaptation and pressure relief
- Foam substructure:complements the gel foam padding and provides the necessary counter pressure
- Upper material(cover)
Differences between gel and visco foam
Gel foam mattresses are a further development of visco foam mattresses and have a few things in common with them: You sink gently into the mattress on the surface, the foam adapts exactly to the body contour. The spine is supported and the muscles relieved, pressure points are reduced. You almost feel “floating” on the gel foam.
The difference between viscous foam and gel foam lies in the thermoelasticity: while viscous foam mattresses depend on the temperature and become harder when it is cold, gel foam is temperature-neutral. Even at cooler temperatures in the bedroom, the material retains a high level of adaptability and a somewhat faster resilience than visco foam.
Who are gel foam mattresses suitable for?
Gel foam yields when pressed and adapts ideally to the contours of the body. As a result, the spine is optimally and ergonomically supported. In addition, the precise body adaptation ensures that the muscles can relax. If the pressure subsides, the material immediately returns to its original shape. It is therefore well suited for people who often turn and toss to and fro in their sleep. It does not matter whether the sleeper lies on their back or on their side.
With a corresponding zone structure of the supporting core part, a gel foam mattress is also suitable for people with a strongly varying body contour, as it adapts very flexibly to points.
Allergy and asthma sufferers also benefit from gel mattresses because they are resistant to house dust mites. The open-pored structure of the gel foam ensures a good and balanced sleeping environment. Even those who sweat a lot at night will feel comfortable on a gel mattress.
Who sleeps well on a gel mattress?
- Back and side sleepers (stomach sleepers may not experience enough support due to the superficially soft sinking in)
- Those who value a comfortable and “weightless” feeling of lying down and who like to sink in a little
- Restless sleepers
- Allergy and asthma sufferers, as the gel foam is resistant to dust mites and the
nesting of bacteria - Who sweats easily
- Anyone who
suffers from tension, joint problems , back pain or circulatory disorders - Who has to lie down a lot for health reasons (pressure points are reduced)
Gel foam: ideal for muscles, joints, spine
If you want to do something preventive against tension and back pain, a gel mattress is particularly suitable. Gel foam is also the ideal mattress for those who already have problems with neck pain and joint problems or who often have arms, hands, legs or feet falling asleep at night.
No other material currently available offers such ease of adjustment. Even hospitals, spa or rehabilitation clinics often use gel foam in order to position patients as gently as possible and to avoid bedsores (bedsores) even when lying down for long periods of time. In addition, gel foam can help relieve the spine after a slipped disc or back pain.
Advantages and disadvantages of a gel foam mattress
- Optimal pressure relief through the reduction of pressure points and thus better blood circulation in the tissue.
- The spine is supported by the firmer foam substructure and so the muscles are relieved.
- Reacts the same to heat and cold: Gel foam is equally soft in summer and winter and therefore ideal for people who prefer to do without temperature-dependent viscose foam because they sleep very cool or leave the window open in the cold season.
- Long service life: If you turn the mattress regularly, it will offer you very good lying quality for up to 10 years.
- Gel foam mattresses are not suitable for people with a higher body weight, who usually sleep on their stomach. The surface sinking in and the insufficient support of the lower foam layer can lead to sagging in the middle of the body.
- Can only be combined with higher quality slatted frames with narrow bar spacing, as otherwise foam would get pressure points and be permanently damaged.
Buying a gel foam mattress – what to look for?
You can recognize a good quality gel foam mattress by the density of the foams used, among other things. We recommend mattresses with a gel foam sheet with a density of 50, which is combined with a foam core that should have at least RG 25.
Since you will sink into the gel foam layer, it is important that the foam layer underneath is of sufficient height to be able to support you well. Therefore, the total height of the mattress should be at least 15 cm.
The higher the gel foam padding, the deeper you sink in and the softer you will be. If you have the opportunity to try lying down, try different gel mattresses to determine the ideal lying comfort with which you feel most comfortable.
