Latex mattresses are durable and have very good lying properties. However, they are so far less known than other types of mattresses. We have put together all the advantages and disadvantages of latex mattresses and give tips on who they are best for.
How a latex core is made
According to craftinlearning, Latex is a material that is created by the foaming of rubber. A distinction is made between synthetic and natural rubber. Crude oil is used as the raw material for artificially produced rubber milk. Natural rubber, on the other hand, is a pure, natural product that is taken as sap directly from the rubber tree.
Both raw materials are foamed with the addition of auxiliaries and vulcanized in steel molds with heating pins at around 100-120 ° C.
The main types of latex
Natural latex is obtained from the sap of Hevea brasiliensis, the rubber tree. The rubber content (approx. 35%) is extracted from the latex milk and then mixed with stabilizers. After foaming, baking and demolding, the core is washed, spun and dried.
The washing process is important for the quality of the mattress – if it is skipped or not carried out carefully (be careful with cheap mattresses!), There will be protein residues in the material that can trigger allergies.
Since it is a natural product that is subject to certain fluctuations in quality due to the effects of weather in the growing area, natural latex mattresses are, strictly speaking, unique, the strength of which is not 100% predictable.
Synthetic latex is made petrochemically, i.e. from petroleum. The manufacturing process is comparable to that of latex made from natural rubber, but synthetic latex is approx. 10% stronger.
Synthetic latex is also often mixed with natural latex in a certain ratio. Corresponding mattress cores can consist of up to 60% natural latex. The more natural latex is added, the better the restoring force. The strength, in turn, can be better determined, the higher the synthetic content.
The production of latex mattresses is very expensive. In contrast to other foams, latex is not a large block from which the respective core is cut, but a separate production mold (also called baking mold) has to be made for each individual size and zone division.
Talalay latex
The Talalay process is a special form of production: after foaming at 120 ° C, the latex core is shock-frozen at -34 ° C. This process is repeated several times. Due to the large temperature fluctuations, the individual bubbles in the latex core burst. The material becomes open-pored, air and moisture permeable.
Properties and quality features of latex mattresses
The amount of material used determines the density and weight of the latex core. The more rubber is used for a core, the firmer the mattress will be. The number and thickness of the pins also determine the lying properties and comfort zones of the mattress. The more holes there are in the core and / or the larger the individual recesses, the softer and more flexible it becomes.
The holes or channels in the latex core are also responsible for ventilation and good moisture transport.
Latex mattresses have very good point elasticity and are dimensionally stable. Due to their elasticity, they can also be used very well with adjustable slatted frames. However, their own weight is relatively high, which makes the regularly necessary turning and turning difficult. Mattresses with a latex core provide a poor breeding ground for house dust mites, which makes them ideal for allergy sufferers, as long as there is no latex allergy.
Good latex mattresses have different lying areas and a thicker core. This gives them optimal support for the body. Very good quality latex mattresses are expensive, but superior to almost all other types of mattress when it comes to body adaptation.
The structure of latex mattresses:
Classic latex mattress
A latex mattress has a core that is provided with numerous channels that are created by the heating rods during production. These holes ensure good ventilation of the core and influence the firmness of the mattress. The core may even have several lying areas due to longitudinal and transverse channels of different sizes.
The latex core is covered by a cover, which should consist of an elastic material to support the adaptability of the core.
Latex layer mattress
for people with a high body weight, it is best to choose a combined latex mattress with one or more layers of coconut rubber. These layers provide the mattress with improved support and maintain the optimal adaptability of latex to the mattress surface.
Due to their firmness, these mattresses are also often found in the children’s and youth sector.
In our range you will find different latex mattresses for all requirements, made of both synthetic latex and natural rubber.
Who are latex mattresses for?
Due to the high point elasticity, latex mattresses adapt perfectly to the body and support it. Therefore, depending on their firmness, they are suitable for stomach, back and side sleepers as well as for people with back pain.
The material has good hygienic properties. Because it ensures that the growth of house dust mites is inhibited. This makes latex mattresses ideal for allergy sufferers.
Due to the excellent point elasticity and the malleability of the latex, it sinks relatively deeply into the mattress, which creates a high level of heat retention. Thus, latex mattresses are very suitable for people who freeze easily.
If you have a latex allergy, you should definitely switch to other types of mattresses. Even those who don’t care about long-term care are badly advised to use a latex mattress, as it has to be regularly cleaned, cared for and turned and turned at least every four weeks to ensure a long shelf life.
Even those who are looking for the cheapest possible mattress, latex mattresses are rather unsuitable. The production is complex and the price is therefore comparatively high. But the lifespan is much longer than most other mattresses.
Advantages and disadvantages of a latex mattress
Advantages:
- Excellent point elasticity and pressure distribution
- Calmer sleep thanks to the balanced pressure distribution
- Not a good breeding ground for mites, therefore suitable for those who are allergic to house dust
- Adapts to the body easily and noiselessly
- Suitable for side sleepers as well as for those who sleep on their stomach or back
- Suitable for people who freeze quickly
- Long service life of at least 10 years (depending on quality)
- Suitable for extremely adjustable slatted frames
Disadvantage:
- Not suitable for people who are allergic to latex
- Intensive care
- High weight (approx. 15-20 kg with a size of 90 × 200 cm)
- Relatively high cost
- Warm bed climate, therefore not suitable for people with high body heat
- Natural latex can
decompose within a few years due to incontinence and aggressive sweat (caused by the use of strong medication) - Mattress needs a very good slatted frame, too hard a spring base makes the
material tire faster
