Fillings and finish

The mattress filling or upholstery is as important as the spring system itself because the filling determines the overall comfort. There are many different kinds of filling used in mattresses such as coir, sisal, lambs wool, cotton, memory foam or latex. A combination of some or all of the differing fillings radically alters the feel of the mattress.

The covering fabric or ticking can also alter the way a mattress feels. Cotton or cotton-polyester blended fabrics tend to be tightly woven and taut and will often give a firm feeling surface, whereas a damask at the luxury end of the market will be much more pliable, feel silky and soft to touch thereby creating a more luxurious, sumptuous feeling surface.

The method in which fillings are held together can also change the comfort of the mattress. Tufting for example is a technique used to give the mattress a distinctive dimpled surface and consists of dozens of strong tapes threaded through the mattress and attached to felt tufts. This secures the layers of filling so they cannot move and gives the mattress a firmer feel. Alternatives to tufting include quilted or diamond stitching, where the cover is stitched to the filling to create a raised, patterned effect, commonly referred to as micro quilted or high loft. This technique will generally feel more sumptuous; because both spring unit and upholstery are released allowing them to conform to their natural deeper position.

Fillings in mattresses always settle and compress over the first few months of a mattress's life. This is perfectly normal but can be more pronounced on better quality mattresses with deeper filling, any dipping will even out after a period of time. Turning the mattress will help in the settlement period - for more information see Caring for your bed.