Mattress In A Box Revolution. Everything You Should Know About Roll Up Mattresses!
What Exactly Is A Mattress In A Box?
A bed in a box is a mattress that has been compressed and rolled up to a more convenient and manageable size. Traditionally, you would go into a store, try out whatever mattress you like most, and hope that it would fit up your stairs or around a corridor before getting it inside your room.
Thanks to the rolled-up mattresses, this no longer is a problem any longer!
Both memory foam and an innerspring mattress can be compressed. However, you will find that the majority of mattresses that come in a box are memory foam with a limited selection of coil options. This is because coil mattresses are a bit more tricky to compress due to the amount of material and parts used to make up the mattress.
Memory foam, on the other hand, is much more simple to resize while avoiding damage, as these types of mattresses use layers of material that are either made from foam, gel, or latex, which can be compressed using a machine without causing damage.
How Are Roll-Up Mattresses Packaged?
A mattress in a box is typically wrapped in protective factory plastic and then compressed using a special machine. This machine safely compresses the mattress to the smallest size possible in order for it to fit in a box. Keep in mind that once opened, you cannot put a boxed mattress back in the box.
Below is a video showing you how rolled-up mattresses are compressed prior to packaging:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxfsnLfNUkU
How Long Should You Wait Before Using Your Mattress In A Box After Opening It?
A common question that gets asked after someone purchases a mattress in a box is how long they should wait before opening and expanding the mattress.
At National Mattress, we recommend that you let your mattress sit and expand for a minimum of 24 hours before using it. This will allow the mattress to reach its full shape while allowing it to completely air out from any off-gassing orders that are common amongst boxed mattresses.
After 24 hours, your mattress should have reached its full shape and will be ready to use, just like any other mattress.
It's that simple!
Do You Need A Box Spring With A Bed In A Box?
It’s important to note that some mattress warranties require you to use the mattress on a box spring or platform bed. If you fail to do so, this can void your warranty. You may not need one if you have slats already in your frame as long as there are at least 4 inches between them for adequate support below the mattress. If you are considering getting a foundation, make sure you know what box spring you need to get for your mattress size.
It's important to know what kind of beds/mattresses are best suited for each specific person before investing time and money into something they might not be happy with later.
How Long Does A Mattress In A Box Typically Last?
The higher the quality of your mattress, the longer your mattress in a box will last. A good-quality bed from a box should have the same lifespan as a high-quality one from retail stores or other locations. Latex (especially natural and organic) is known for being durable so you’ll often find that latex beds come with long warranties - these can range anywhere between 5 to 10 years, depending on which firmness level you opt for.
A standard average life span over any style of mattresses is around 8 years if they are in reasonable condition; however, there may be some variance based upon what type they are made out of such as foam vs springs.
The Advantages Of Mattresses In A Box
Variety
Considering buying a mattress online? Buying a new bed just got easier!
Thanks to the evolution of boxed mattresses, you will find a much larger variety of rolled-up mattresses versus the traditional way of shopping. Rather than having only a handful of models under a single lineup, a bed in a box allows for a larger selection because manufacturers are able to stock more of them in inventory. This is because they don't take up even half the space as a full-sized mattress does.
Boxed mattresses include anything from foam mattresses and hybrid mattresses. Unfortunately, beds containing just coils cannot be rolled up due to the damage that can be caused by bending the springs.
Savings
Mattresses in a box can really stand out when it comes to price.
Because the majority of these types of mattresses are ordered online and can be shipped at a lower rate due to their size, they may save you money when comparing to full-size mattresses.
Of course, there are many models that cover a broad spectrum when it comes to price. For example, you may find a popular branded mattress in a box for over $2000.00. But, for the most part, there is a larger variety of affordable options available to choose from, as this gives companies the ability to stock and sell various models in-store and online.
You can check out our list of available mattresses in a box for some great examples.
Convenient For Delivery
One of the biggest benefits of purchasing a mattress in a box is that they completely changed the game when it comes to delivery. With e-commerce mattress stores becoming a popular way to shop, it's easier than ever to buy a mattress online, regardless of how far you live.
Unlike before where delivering a full-size mattress locally was a challenge, a rolled-up mattress can now be shipped using standard delivery services such as FedEx. This allows customers from across the country to purchase online from companies like National Mattress, even though there is no available store in their province or city.
Furthermore, a bed in a box makes it super convenient for customers to pick up their items from a local storefront. This eliminates the need to wait for delivery if you are in a rush or are in dire need of a bed, right away. Our store here at National Mattress is a great example of how easy it is to deliver a bed in a box using our white glove delivery service! We even offer a 90 day trial period with every online mattress purchase including free shipping on orders $199 before tax.
The Disadvantages Of Mattresses In A Box
May Cause You To Get Hotter At Night
One main disadvantage of boxed mattresses made from memory foam is that they have less air circulation passing through them. If you have a tendency to get hot at night already then this can be an issue, as it can cause you to get really hot at night.
The good news is that many brands and manufacturers are recognizing this problem and are consistently testing new materials in order to help people stay cooler at night. A great example of a material that is used to lower body temperature is latex or cooling gel technology.
Requires A Better Base (Foundation)
If you are purchasing a mattress in a box, keep in mind that your current bed frame or box spring may not provide the necessary support for your memory foam mattress. So, what kind of support should you have?
To avoid your mattress caving in and losing its proper shape, we recommend going with a foundation with slabs going across at least 4-inches apart. Every bed frame should meet this minimum requirement as it's important when maintaining your product warranty.
Luckily, box springs and frames sold at National Mattress meet all the minimum requirements for supporting any type of mattress, including boxed options. Our mix-match foundations even have added support over the top of the frame structure using a thin board for even more weight distribution.
Off-gassing
Another problem you may find with a mattress in a box is their tendency to have a bad odor when opening caused by off-gassing. The odor that comes off foam mattresses can sometimes take several days to go away after opening your new mattress, typically causing an unpleasant experience for the first few days.
This smell is primarily caused by special chemicals that are typically used to spray the mattress prior to shipping long distances in order to keep bugs and other pests away. This is most common in products that are shipped overseas, and less common in those being purchased in the same country.
To avoid having to deal with off-gassing odor, it is important to do your research thoroughly before purchasing your boxed mattress. Compare your options, go through any reviews, and be sure to ask your seller lots of questions so that you are properly informed.
Limited Firmness Availability
Because a bed in a box must be compressed, you will find that you won’t find many options in the firm to the extra-firm range. This is mainly because the materials used to determine comfort are primarily made up of foam.
If the foam is too firm, rolling it will most likely cause the material to crack or break. The materials inside your mattress have to be flexible and soft enough to handle being compressed, which is why you will only typically find rolled-up mattresses available in soft/plush, medium to medium-firm density options.
Key Take Away
The evolution of the mattress in a box idea has certainly re-shaped the way we look at purchasing mattresses today. Shipping has become much convenient and variety has skyrocketed in the last decade thanks to this new 'mattress in a box' concept.
However, because this market is still fairly new, manufacturers still haven't solved all the challenges that come with purchasing mattresses in a box, which is why asking lots of questions and research becomes a critical step in the purchasing process.
If you are in the market to buying your first mattress in a box, you can check out this page for a list of options. If you have any questions about purchasing a mattress in a box, you can contact us directly and speak to our experienced sales reps for more information.
