Modern mattresses are made with a range of materials designed to provide comfort, support, durability, and temperature regulation. Each material plays a different role, from cushioning the body to creating structural support and improving airflow.
Understanding the materials used in mattress construction can help you make a more informed decision when selecting the right mattress for your comfort preferences and sleep needs.
At Sunday Home, our mattresses feature CertiPUR-US® certified foams, which are independently tested to meet recognized standards for safety, durability, and low emissions. This reflects our commitment to using thoughtfully selected materials designed for both comfort and long-lasting quality.
This guide explains some of the most common materials used in modern mattresses and how they contribute to overall comfort and performance.
Foam Materials
Foam is one of the most widely used materials in modern mattresses. Different types of foam are used to provide pressure relief, contouring comfort, cushioning, and support.
Memory Foam
Memory foam is designed to respond to body heat and pressure, allowing it to contour to the sleeper's shape. This helps distribute body weight more evenly and reduce pressure points.
Benefits of Memory Foam
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Excellent pressure relief
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Helps reduce motion transfer between sleepers
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Conforms to the body for more personalized comfort
Memory foam is commonly used in the comfort layers of mattresses.
Polyurethane Foam (Polyfoam)
Polyurethane foam, often called polyfoam, is a flexible material used in both comfort and support layers. It can vary in density and firmness depending on how it is made.
Benefits of Polyfoam
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Lightweight and flexible
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Provides cushioning and support
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Often used as a base or transition layer
Polyfoam is widely used in mattress construction because of its versatility.
Latex Foam
Latex foam can be made from natural or synthetic rubber. It is known for its durability, responsiveness, and breathable structure.
Unlike memory foam, latex has a more buoyant feel and returns to shape more quickly when pressure is removed.
Benefits of Latex
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Highly durable material
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Responsive and supportive feel
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Naturally breathable structure
Latex is often used in premium mattresses because of its comfort and resilience.
Infused Foams
Some foams are enhanced with additional materials designed to improve cooling, freshness, or overall comfort.
Gel-Infused Foam
Gel-infused foam contains small gel particles blended into the foam to help disperse heat and promote a cooler sleep surface.
Temperature regulation plays an important role in restorative sleep and overall well-being. Learn more in our guide to Wellness and Restorative Sleep
Copper-Infused Foam
Copper-infused foam includes copper particles intended to help conduct heat away from the body and support temperature regulation.
Graphite-Infused Foam
Graphite is sometimes infused into foam layers to help draw heat away from the sleeper and improve cooling performance.
Charcoal-Infused Foam
Charcoal-infused foam contains activated charcoal particles that may help absorb moisture and odors, contributing to a fresher sleep environment.
Coil Systems
Many mattresses use coil systems to provide structural support, durability, and airflow.
Pocketed Coils
Pocketed coils are individually wrapped springs that move independently. This design allows the mattress to respond more precisely to body movement while reducing motion transfer.
Benefits of Pocketed Coils
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Targeted support for the body
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Improved airflow within the mattress
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Reduced motion transfer
Pocketed coils are commonly used in hybrid mattresses.
Traditional Innerspring Coils
Traditional innerspring mattresses use interconnected coils that provide firm support across the mattress surface.
While this design has been used for many years, many modern mattresses now use pocketed coil systems for improved comfort and motion isolation.
Microcoils
Microcoils are smaller coil systems sometimes used in comfort layers. They can add responsiveness, airflow, and durability to the mattress design.
Natural Fibers and Fabrics
Some mattresses incorporate natural materials in their covers or comfort layers to improve breathability, softness, and moisture control.
Cotton
Cotton is often used in mattress covers because it is soft, breathable, and comfortable.
Wool
Wool is commonly used in mattress covers and padding layers because it can help regulate temperature and wick away moisture.
Bamboo-Derived Fabrics
Bamboo-derived fabrics are sometimes used in mattress covers because they are soft, breathable, and help promote airflow.
Cashmere and Other Luxury Fibers
Some premium mattresses incorporate luxury fibers such as cashmere or silk in their covers to enhance softness and surface comfort.
Cooling Materials
Many modern mattresses include specialized materials designed to help regulate temperature during sleep.
These may include:
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Phase-change materials (PCM)
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Breathable mattress fabrics
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Ventilated foam layers
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Cooling gel technologies
These materials can help promote airflow and maintain a more comfortable sleep temperature throughout the night.
Fire Barrier Materials
All mattresses sold in the United States must meet federal fire safety standards. To comply with these requirements, mattresses include a fire barrier layer designed to slow the spread of flames.
These fire barriers may be made from materials such as:
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Wool
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Silica-based fibers
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Rayon blends
These materials are used to help meet federal flammability safety requirements.
Final Thoughts
Modern mattresses are built with a combination of materials designed to deliver comfort, support, durability, and temperature regulation. Understanding how these materials work together can help you choose a mattress that better fits your sleep preferences and lifestyle.
Learning about the materials used in mattress construction can make it easier to select a mattress designed for long-term comfort, support, and performance.
Need Help Choosing the Right Mattress?
Explore our mattress collection or contact our team if you need help choosing the right mattress for your comfort and sleep needs.