1-800-Mattress.com
- Call Us! 1-800-327-7720
Sleep Glossary
A glossary of terms
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
A
- ADVANTAGE LOFT
- Premium blend of high quality polyester fibers to create a unique luxurious quilt. For a soft feel and exceptional resilience. Helps resist body impressions.
- ADVANCED COMFORT
- Rolling peaks of convoluted padding and fluffy fibers offer gentle cushioning for the body. Helps promote better circulation and reduces tossing and turning.
- ALLERGEN RESISTANT
- Resistant to bacteria, fungi and other living organisms.
- ALLERGY CARE
- Fiber material that reduces household allergens.
- ALPACA
- Luxurious natural fiber that keeps you warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
- ALTERNATING COIL
- Provides contouring support & minimizes motion transfer.
- ANGORA
- Luxurious natural fiber that performs even better than cushioning. Offers comfort and support.
B
- BEAUTY LOFT
- Plush synthetic fiber that adds resilience for enhanced sleep comfort.
- BEDBOARD FOUNDATION
- A wood frame support system that is equal to putting a board under your mattress to firm it up.
- BLENDED LATEX
- Polyurethane foam enhanced with latex. Allows superior airflow throughout Padding Materials.
- BLOC FOAM
- High density foam at the base of the mattress that absorbs shock & reduces motion.
- BODY LOFT
- A combination of antimicrobial and antibacterial fibers that help reduce allergies and dust mites.
- BODY IMPRESSIONS
- Indentations in a mattress that happen when the mattress compresses over time. When you notice compression, it's probably time to change your mattress.
- BONNELL COIL
- Hour glass shaped coil, round on top and bottom.
- BORDER ROD
- Heavy wire that forms the outer edge of an innerspring unit. The border rod usually is clipped to the outermost coils and the ends of the helicals.
- BOUNTY LOFT
- A blended woven fiber. A breathable fiber providing comfort and resilience.
- BOXSPRING
- Designed to support an innerspring mattress. Together, a mattress and boxspring comprise a sleep set.
- BRASS VENTS
- Functional, decorative pieces added to the mattress to aid in ventilation.
C
- CABLE COIL
- Three light gauge coils twisted together to create a more durable coil. This design provides more support and a higher degree of motion separation.
- CALIFORNIA KING
- A bed that measures 72 inches wide and 84 inches long.
- CASHMERE
- A luxurious fiber that provides warmth in the Winter & keeps you cool in the Summer.
- CELESTRA
- Polypropylene insulator pad.
- CHENILLE
- Wool Blend Fiber Stretch Material. Offers the look of fine High End Furniture.
- CLOTH HANDLES
- Handles made of cloth that match the ticking of the mattress and are sewn to it.
- CLUSTER FIBER
- Fiber that is bonded for no shifting.
- COIL COUNT
- In total, the number of Coils that make up the core of an Innerspring Mattress.
Click here to learn more.
- CORTEX
- Firming material which serves as a base, also known as a coconut fiber.
- COMFORT BOND
- A fiber pad bonded or molded into shape through a heat process that cuts down on body impressions.
- COMFORT CLUSTER FIBER
- Feels like goose down.
- COMFORT
- A general term to describe the overall feel of a mattress.
- COMFORT LOFT POLY
- Softer, higher form of polyurethane.
- COMFORT/SUPPORT TRAY
- Firmer sitting edge and minimizes edge breakdown.
- COMFORTFIL
- A soft, low pressure sleep surface that allows for better circulation during sleep.
- CONTINUOUS COIL
- The coils are formed from one piece of continuous wire, generally running from head to toe. Provides support along the entire length of the body.
- CONTOURING
- The ability to follow or fit the natural curves of the body.
- CONVOLUTED FOAM
- Polyurethane foam formed with pockets that resemble an eggcrate that adds additional pressure relief and contouring support.
- CONVOLUTED INFINILUX
- Synthetic Latex with eggshell foam concept.
- CORNER GUARDS
- Plastic or metal fittings secured to foundation corners to prevent material damage from the bed frame.
- COTTON
- A natural fiber used as an insulator pad or comfort pad and as ticking on high-end products.
- COTTON BATTING
- A type of padding layer generally used to achieve a firm feel.
- CUMULOFT
- Dacron Polyester fiber used on plush Sealy Posturepedic products.
D
- DACRON
- Is a spun hollow core fiber that will provide resilience and a loftier soft to the touch quilt.
- DAMASK
- Originally referring to a Belgium cotton import, it is now used for any cotton, 3 colored, woven design.
- DENSE FIBER PAD
- An extra layer between you and the innerspring that provides firm comfort and support.
- DENSITY
- The weight per cubic foot of foam. Density is independent of firmness, but is considered an important indicator of foam quality.
- DUAL TORSION
- A bow tie shaped spring added to the seat edge for border support.
- DUNLOP
- A method used in producing latex mattresses. The serum is collected from rubber trees, then poured into a mold and baked.
- DUST MITES
- Microscopic arachnids that feed on dead skin that sloughs from our bodies. They live in mattresses, pillows, and bedroom carpets.
E
- EDGE GUARD
- Type of border support
- EDGE SUPPORT
- An additional support element added to the edge to firm up the sides of a mattress. Increases sleeping space.
- ENCASED COIL
- Provides ultra body-contouring support & minimizes partner motion transfer.
- EVEREDGE
- A rigid foam edge around the entire set.
- EVERLAST
- A man made latex blend foam padding . Instant shape recovery, won't bunch or break down, the mattress has that new feel year after year!
- EYELET BORDERS
- Contemporary version of brass vent plates. They aid in ventilation.
F
- FATIGUE
- A softening or loss of load bearing capacity of a mattress. A mattress showing signs of fatigue is generally considered "worn out" and ready for replacement.
- FIBERLUX
- High quality fiber that that provides an extra plush feel
- FIREBLOCKER
- Fireblocker system is a precise blend of natural and synthetic fibers designed to isolate the impact of a fire and prevent it's spread into the mattress.
- FIRM
- A comfort designation usually given to an unyielding surface.
- FIRMNESS
- A general term to describe how much resistance the mattress applies to body weight and the resulting "give".
- FLAWLESS SCULPTURE FOAM
- Point up specially designed convoluted foam offering lower pressure per square inch.
- FOAM ENCASED
- Wrapping the entire mattress in heavy foam, eliminating the border wire. Found on upper end mattresses.
- FOUNDATION
- The foundation absorbs much of the stress of the mattress set and provides added comfort and support. You should always purchase a matching set.
- FULL SIZE
- Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 54" wide by 75" long.
G
- GAUGE
- The measured thickness of the steel used in coil units. The lower the number the thicker the steel.
- GEL
- Gel mattresses provide a truly unique sleeping surface. Gel moves with your body to provide targeted support. Gel mattresses focus on a few key points: Improved circulation, decreased pain points, and temperature regulation.
H
- HAMMOCKING
- An undesirable trait that signals it's time for a new mattress. Corners tend to rise and bow in response to deep compression much like a hammock.
- HD Foam
- High Density Foam
- Helicals
- Wire spirals that usually hold together adjacent rows of coil springs.
- Hex Rail Policy
- Designed with stronger edge with higher density for support and durability.
- High Density
- Refers to the amount of give, usually in a foam product.
- HIGH PERFORMANCE FLAWLESS FOAM
- Provides proper support, high-density durability, and long-term resiliency.
I
- INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED COIL
- Hand assembled & hand laced wrapped
- INFINILUX
- Offers the feel of premium latex. Conformity with instant shape recovery
- INNERSPRING
- A mattress that includes tempered coiled springs. This type of mattress is the most popular.
- INNERSPRING UNIT
- The spring and wire unit consisting primarily of coils, helicals and border rods, which form the heart of an innerspring mattress.
- INSULATOR
- A tough fiber padding, wire or netting that separates innerspring mattress coils from the cushioning.
- INTEGRA LOCK
- A rigid foam edge around the entire set.
K
- KING SIZE
- Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 76" wide by 80" long.
L
- LATEX FOAM
- Latex is a natural, hypoallergenic natural conforming foam with long lasting resiliency. Offers instant shape recovery.
- LUXURY CHANNELS
- Exotic fibers and buoyant convoluted foam are channel quilted together to create this uniquely comfortable and "down-like" sleep surface!
M
- MARSHALL UNIT
- Barrel shaped, power packed, individually pocketed coils.
- MARVELUX
- Firmest foam pad on market. Gives height and support.
- MAXI EDGE
- Edge Support System.
- MEMORY FOAM
- Deeply contoured high density foam which conforms to your body.
- MID-SUPPORT ZONE
- An exclusive feature that puts additional fiber pads in the center third of the mattress for additional support in the lumbar region.
- MSI
- Indicates the degree of Motion Transfer from side to side the mattress prevents. Simmons Beautyrest uses this term.
N
- NATURAL LATEX
- 100% pure, natural latex is a serum that is collected from the rubber tree and processed into sheets of latex. Pure latex is by far the most resilient.
- NORDIC GRID WOOD FOUNDATION
- Provides support & extends the life of the mattress.
- NO TURN/ NO FLIP
- These are specific models have been designed to provide continuous support without the need to turn them over and use the reverse side of the mattress.
- NYLON OR METAL NETTING
- Used by various manufacturers to help eliminate pocketing and sagging.
O
- OFFSET COIL
- An innerspring mattress coil that has an hourglass shape and a squared off section at the top and bottom of the coil.
- OMALON
- Synthetic Latex
- ORTHOPEDIC STANDARD
- The minimum count of 312 coils, 13 gauge steel and 6 gauge border wire.
P
- PERIMETER EDGE FOAM
- An additional border framing the coil unit.
- PILLOW TOP
- The type of design whereby an extra layer of comfort padding is added to the surface of a mattress.
- PILLOWFILL
- Serta's company name for the synthetic fiber that adds soft comfort to padding layers.
- PIN CONVOLUTED
- Patented designed with thousands of massaging foam fingers.
- PLUSH
- A designation of comfort usually reserved for medium soft mattresses.
- POCKETED COILS
- Cylindrical innerspring mattress coils enclosed in separate flexible fabric pockets. The pockets are attached to adjacent pockets.
- POCKET FOAM
- Found just below the pillow top. It lifts up the pillow top. Cuts off 3" before the edge of the mattress perimeter.
- POCKETING
- The name given to the occurrence of padding falling into the coil system.
- POLY FOAM
- Short for polyurethane foam, used in almost all bedding as either an insulator pad or comfort pad that provides extended durability and comfort.
- PRESSURE POINTS
- The points at which capillaries will close due to pressure against the body. A mattress that supports evenly can reduce this undesirable condition.
- PRO-RATED
- Meaning a warranty is not 100% replacement but could have restrictions as to coverage.
- PURE FOAM
- Higher quality than most poly foams. Pure foam is more resilient.
Q
- QUALATEX
- Man made Latex that doesn't have the imperfections natural latex has.
- QUEEN SIZE
- Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 60" wide by 80" long.
- QUILTING
- Patterns that are sewn into the mattress ticking. For surface softness, many manufacturers quilt the ticking to soft urethane foam of varying thickness.
- QUILT-FLEX
- High grade poly foam that is poured under a vacuum to produce the most consistent durable foam.
- QUILTLUX FIBER
- Similar to Bountyloft. Breaths and helps establish softer comfort levels.
R
- RACETRACKING
- The term for using firm foam around the perimeter of a bed.
- RECOVERY TIME
- The time it takes for a piece of foam to return to its original shape. Latex foam has a fast recovery time, and memory foam has a long recovery time.
- RESILIENCY
- Surface liveliness and spring-back ability.
- RESILIUM
- Helps retain shape and prevent body impressions while providing comfort.
- RESIN BOND
- Component added at high temperatures that forms a welding together of material to create a firming pad that will not shift or pocket.
- RESIN PAD
- Provides a firmer feel, and durability.
S
- SACRO-FOAM
- Body supporting poly-foam.
- SCULPT FOAM
- Deeply contoured foam with thousands of gentle fingers that conform to the body providing a rich luxurious feel.
- SEALY FOAM
- High quality durable foam that cushions and conforms to the body for a more plush feel.
- SENSIFIBER
- Advanced fiber that's found in ski jackets & sleeping bags. When the body gets hot, the fiber absorbs heat, when the body cools down, it releases the heat.
- SENSUS
- Visco Foam
- SHOCK ABZZORBER PLUS
- Provides proper support and stress relief for the mattress. Provides longer life. Sealy uses this term.
- SIGMA FLEX FOUNDATION
- Torsion bar modules absorb the body's weight and help maintain correct spinal alignment.
- SILENCER STRIPS
- Pieces of scrap fabric placed in boxspring to reduce contact noise.
- SILK
- Keeps you cooler in the warm weather.
- SIM-FOAM
- A synthetic poly-foam developed by Simmons for extra support and greater conformability.
- SOFTENING PAD
- Generally referred to padding that achieves a plush comfort level.
- STABILITY FLEX
- Provides support & extends the life of the mattress.
- STEEL SPAN
- Sealy Posturepedics steel beam anchored torsion bar foundation.
- SUPER SOFT CONVOLUTED FOAM
- Provides Plush Comfort.
- SUPER SOFT FLAWLESS FOAM
- Provides comfort and support.
- SUPERIOR FOAM ENCASEMENT
- Firmer sitting edge with more sleep surface. Increased flexibility.
- SUPPORT
- A general term to describe how the mattress distributes and stabilizes body weight and maintains proper body alignment.
- SYFI PAD OR PADS
- Compressed polyester fiber bonded together by baking, found in Simmons products.
T
- TACK JUMP QUILTING
- Minimizes Body Impressions & adds comfort.
- TAMPICA
- A coconut hair-fiber based insulator pad.
- TEMPERED STEEL
- A process of heating steel at high temperatures to increase the strength of both mattress & boxspring coils.
- TICKING
- The name given to a fabric that covers a mattress. These fabrics are often attractive prints or woven damasks.
- TORSION GRID FOUNDATION
- A support system made up of torsion bars.
- TRIPLE BEAM
- The use of 3 layers of wood in creating a foundation.
- TRIPLE CASED
- Stearns & Fosters patented laminated foam encasing process.
- TRIPLE CASED COMFORT CROWN
- Scientifically designed sculpted foam, provides additional edge support.
- TRITON FOUNDATION
- A total base of non-flexing steel struts that creates a non-yielding foundation - no motion transfer found in all no-flip Beautyrest models.
- TOPPER PAD
- Insulation and padding material that lies on top of the spring assembly in an innerspring mattress.
- TUFTING
- The cover is sewn from the top all the way to the bottom of the mattress. Tufting keeps layers of foam from shifting inside.
- TWIN SIZE
- Any mattress, bed frame or foundation that measures 39" wide by 75" long.
U
- ULTRA EDGE
- The rigid foam border support found in the lower end Stearns &Foster products.
- ULTRASTEEL
- The type of torsion bar foundation found on Stearns & Foster products.
- UNI-CASED
- Thermo-plastic foam (poly foam) that is fused together while being interlocked with the inner-spring unit. Sealy uses this term.
V
- VENTILATED VISCO
- Designed to breath and keep you cooler.
- VERSARE
- Piece of material used between the mattress and the pillow top. The material holds layers together to offer less chance of pocketing.
- VISCO MEMORY FOAM
- Slow responding body heat sensitive foam that conforms to the body.
W
- WATERFALL FOUNDATION
- Also known as the Continental Foundation, the upholstery wraps over the top edge of the unit as opposed to a foundation ending with a tape edge.
- WHISPER FOAM
- Created in a vacuum to ensure consistency. Ultra soft foam eliminates body impressions.
- WOOL
- Keeps you warmer in the winter.
Z
- Z-BAR
- Tempered steel bar shaped like a "Z" that's reinforced to the border rod for edge support.
- ZONE GRID BOX
- A torsion element foundations concentrating more support in zones of potentially heavier weight.
- ZONED LUMBAR SUPPORT
- Found in Simmons Beautyrest providing additional support to the lumbar and leg regions. Measured thickness of the steel used in coil units. The lower the number the thicker the steel.
