What is Cold Foam Mattress? Best & Simple Guide in 2023

Cold foam might be a good option when you are in the market for a quality mattress or topper. But what is a cold foam mattress, and why might it be a good choice for a bed or cot? If you are looking to find the best quality foam mattress, you can look into cold foam due to its benefits. However, at the same time, the cold foam does have some drawbacks, and we will provide you with a list of both of them.

We at homishguide believe in being open with information to allow you the chance to make an informed decision. As such, you will have information on how it’s made and what you need to look for. Hopefully, you will think about making a cold foam mattress purchase either through us or elsewhere by the conclusion.   

What is cold foam mattress?

Before making any purchasing decision about anything you might want to research online or someplace else when it comes to cold foam mattresses, you need to know as much as possible. Since this mattress will be going on your bed or something similar, you need to learn as much as possible.

Cold foam is a material that isn’t cold, actually, and this is a misconception that is quite common amongst many people. One of the defining properties of this mattress is the open cell structure. As a result of this structure, sleepers can enjoy superb ventilation through the mattress core.

So what is cold foam mattress? A cold foam mattress is mainly helpful for drawing away heat from the body and surrounding area for better sleep. The material used for making cold foam mattresses also keeps the air inside them at a low temperature so it’s more comfortable.

Sadly, I couldn’t find out when the cold foam mattress was invented, but from what I could understand, it came to be soon after memory foam. NASA was responsible for memory foam mattresses.

What are cold foam mattresses made of?

Before we get into the how-to-make cold foam, I have something I need to confess. The confession is that I forgot to mention to you readers that cold foam comes in two primary forms. First, you have the flexible foam, also known as HR cold foam. This type is used in most basic cold foam mattresses that are readily available to all of you. Second comes the hard foam also goes by PU rigid foam. This type of foam is not as widely known, so we will steer clear of it unless necessary. So that what is cold foam mattress?

Now let us answer the inquiry of how is cold foam or cold foam mattress is made? And the short and straightforward answer for cold foam mattresses is using mostly cold foam! But jokes aside, cold foam, in general, is an inorganic 3D Polyurethane foam. As such, this type of foam uses various kinds of plastic non-natural material in its makeup.

Why should You choose cold foam mattress?

As I have stated and learned about cold foam mattresses, you might wonder why you should choose them. For a better understanding, you need to both the advantages and drawbacks of this cold foam mattress. As I mentioned above, you can see if a cold foam mattress is for you by learning information from both sides.

Continue reading below for both sides of the story.

Benefits of cold foam mattress

• First of all its economical
• Last a long time
• Easily conforms to the body
• Retains body heat
• Low infestation of dust mites
• Freedom for allergy sufferers

Drawbacks of cold foam mattress

• May cause off gassing (more information below)
• Made using inorganic materials
• Not comfortable in a hot climate

What to look for in a cold foam mattress?

Just knowing about the good and bad sides of the cold foam mattress might not be enough for some. Therefore I have come up with a list of criteria that I keep in my head while buying something like mattresses and mattress toppers. Hopefully, sharing these criteria will help you to know what to look for when making such purchases.

None of these criteria are fixed. So be careful not to follow them blindly, as I know some people tend to do. Also, you keep in mind that you can mix your criteria if you have some, and it is never a good plan to rely on only one person’s opinion.

Enough about that. Here are some of my criteria, and you should learn from them and some others while mixing in some of ours.

Cost:

The cost will always be something we need to keep in mind when you go to buy something, and this is primarily because cost acts as a gauge to determine if something is worth buying. Cost is a defining factor for something like cold foam mattresses or similar with a wide range of prices.

I have always kept a budget in mind when I go shopping, so do many. As the First Postmaster of the United States Benjamin Franklin once said, “A penny saved is a penny earned.” As such, we should always be on the lookout for deals since deals and discounts mean better quality products at less price.

Additionally, it is never a bad concept to look at multiple brands with similar models. Different brands with similar models might have additional features, and you should look for one that brings more to the table.

Adjustment period:

By adjustment period, what we mean is that certain brands will allow the buyer a grace period during which they can test out the product. This period of grace is different from brand to brand, and in some cases, the period can last 30 days to a year.

During this period, the customers are allowed to test the cold foam mattress in various manners. If buyers find some defect in the product during the period, then the brand will either replace the mattress. The company will refund the money entirely in other cases, but the replacement option is more common.

The reason for the adjustment period is that some mattresses take some time to break in. For proper testing, I need at least 90 days. Therefore, I only choose brands that offer me that much time. Also, brands are willing to give us so much time testing the mattress because they don’t want to deal with the hassle of too many returns on their end.

Layer density:

Both a cold foam and a memory foam mattress have a similar level of density. And this density factor determines multiple benefits which you and I want to enjoy. Also, when it comes to density, no two mattress models have similar densities. So when you research enough mattresses and their materials, you will know that density is a defining factor.

If you are wondering about density and how it comes to be, here is a simple overview for you. With more cold foam cells in a compressed area, the higher the density of the mattress will be. In most cases, a denser foam layers mattress rating typically means that it’s made using better materials and will last a bit longer.

In the same sense mattresses with a lesser density rating, the effects will be opposite. According to experts and myself, the best range of density for beds are around 3 to 7. A higher rating means more premium materials leading to more expensive mattresses. On the other hand, the lower the rating, the more chances the customer will get a cheaper-made mattress.  

Finally, there are a bunch of bad cold foam mattresses out there on the internet. In most of those cases, the firmness isn’t reliable. As such, I will advise you to look only pick mattresses that have a density above 40kg/m3.

Difference between High Resilience(HR) value and Specific Weight(SG) value

HR is simply the weight of the mattress per meter cubed, while SG is basically the weight of this polyol mattress. For the most part, the HR value may indicate quality since any mattress with an HR value less than 30 will mean it’s really soft and not that resilient.

For example, an HR value of 50 means the cold foam mattress weighs 50 kg per cubic meter.

While the HR value might seem important, the polyol ratio and your manufacturer’s rating should be more important.

ILD(Indentation Load Deflection):

While ILD is primarily seen in memory foam mattresses, it doesn’t hurt to know about them even when buying cold foam mattresses. In simple terms, Indentation Load Deflection indicates how hard or soft the bed is. The calculation for the ILD involves measuring how many pounds of pressure it takes to cave in a four-inch memory or cold foam mattress by about 25%.

Once you have calculated the necessary pressure relief value, it is converted into a weight value. Finally, that weight value is what everyone sees on the mattresses as the Indentation Load Deflection(ILD). Also, you don’t see a number value as opposed to the range because manufacturers are playing it safe. They know that a number of factors matter when it comes to ILD. For example, both the environment and humidity of the mattress’s placement can result in changes. Thus you will see a range for ILD to account for those changes.

Thickness/Size:

There isn’t much to say about the size of the mattress other than that the thicker the cold foam mattress, the better the comfort. However, do keep in mind if you happen to pick too thick or thin, issues might arise. And in most cases, these issues will be comfort or support related as far as I know.

In my research, I found out that most mattresses are between two to five inches, and the thickness will be slightly more. So if you want, and this is something I have seen elsewhere, you can stack multiple thinner mattresses if needed.

When it comes to the perfect mattress size, it depends on what you need for your bedroom. Doesn’t matter if you are sleeping on a cold foam mattress or a memory foam mattress.

For your convenience, here is a simple table for different kinds of mattress sizes:

Life span:

As mentioned previously in the density section, denser usually lasts longer. Alongside the life span of the cold foam mattress, some buyers will also be looking for brand warranties. This is simply because they want assurances from the brand on their products.

Firmness:

When it comes to preferred sleeping position, everyone has their own preference. For example, some love to sleep on the left or right side, others love different sleeping positions, and some need the right firmness to sleep correctly. So as you can see, different people will have different inclinations about their mattresses. And one of those inclinations is about mattress firmness.

In my personal experience and research, I have found three basic levels to the firmness scale. They are soft, medium, and firm, but these three can also be altered in various ways. For example, I have seen some variations such as luxury firm and extra soft in a number of cases.

For the most part, I am partial to the firm style of mattresses. This is mainly due to me feeling like I am going to drown on those soft mattresses. Additionally, firm mattresses provide an extra level of support for those heavier people like me. On the other hand, lightweight people may like the softer mattresses cause of the extra cushioning from all sides when they sink.

What cold foam mattress frames are available?

Just because you have bought a cold foam mattress doesn’t mean that you are done. Now that you have a cold foam mattress, you will also need a bed frame to put in your new mattress. While you are trying to pick a bed frame, there are some criteria to keep in mind. Each of these criteria is what I look for while I am out picking a frame. As I have mentioned above, for cold foam mattresses, none of my criteria is 100%, so don’t take them as such.

Zoning:

Firstly we have the zoning of the mattress frame, which helps with better sleep by prioritizing the main areas of the body that need support. If we were to get into more details, I think you would get a better idea. Take my body, for example; I got a big gut, so my torso and hip area need more support. While the head and leg region needs the least support in many cases. Considering these areas, manufacturers now have three common pocket spring mattresses frame for you to choose from. These styles are the three, five, and seven zone bed frames.

Here is a more in-depth overview of these three frame types:

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• 3 Zone: In this type of bed frame, the priority goes to the lower back. At the same time, all the other areas have standard firmness. For most, this is the classic bed frame used myself included.
• 5 Zone: For this type, the areas supported are the main body parts such as head, feet, lower back, thighs, and shoulder zone. The idea behind this 5 zone frame is to be providing greater relife and alignment than the 3 zone frame.
• 7 Zone: We come to the frame that supposedly provides the greatest amount of support. The 7 zone builds on the 5 zones while additionally supporting the less needed areas such as, the lower leg. In my opinion, the frame doesn’t do much but usually costs more. But if you want more support, then, by all means, use this frame.
• 9 Zone: The additional areas for the 9 zone mattress are the shoulder blades and ribs. Similar to the 7 zones, the 9 zones aren’t that practical unless those areas require help.

Slatted frames:

Now that you have chosen the standard of zoned frame you want, you need to decide whether you want plywood or slatted bed frame. Both have their good and bad effects, but we think the slatted frame is the better choice for cold foam mattresses.

With a slatted frame, you will have a broader range of foam mattress choices, such as cold foam. Since I have heavy body weight, I need more support on my back area, which the slatted frame provides more. At the same time, due to its build structure, it doesn’t support mattresses like memory foam.

Slat distance:

When it comes to slat distance for your bed frame, there isn’t much to say. In my personal experience, I can say that having a slat distance of three to five cm is more than enough. However, the rule of thumb is the distance shouldn’t be more than five cm. This is because more distance will mean less adequate support for your cold foam mattress.

Alternative for cold foam mattress

Up until now, I have tried my best to convince you to choose a cold foam mattress above all else. But I need to inform you of “all else” to better understand why cold foam mattress is exceptional. During my research, I have come across four alternatives to cold foam, which are:

• Memory Foam mattress
• Innerspring mattress
• Latex mattress
• Gel mattress

Each of these alternatives will be represented in bullet points so that you can easily compare it with the cold foam’s advantages and disadvantages.

Memory foam mattress:

• Holds up nicely to the varying size and sleep preference
• Significant memory imprint quality
• Might restrict movement during sleep
• Innerspring Mattress:
• Usually firmer mattress than others
• Has coiled pocket springs
• Internal breathing space due to individual coils
• It might breed mold if left unclean

Latex:

• Latex mattresses use natural latex foam ingredients
• A good latex mattress keeps cool in summer or in a hot climate
• It might leave an impression after sleep

Gel:

• Gel foam mattresses have the highest elastic point
• Provides excellent ventilation
• Conforms nicely
• Might Off gas as well

What is Off Gassing?

First of all, off gassing isn’t partial to only a good mattress but can come from several sources such as cars, a fresh coat of paint, or even carpets. Now that it’s out of the way, I can get into what is off gassing and how it comes from a cold foam mattress.

In simple terms, off gassing is the “new” smell coming from the recent purchase you made, usually coming from furniture and other such products. The scent is slightly intoxicating to some like me. That is the result of a release of Volatile Organic Compounds(VOCs) etc.

Most people reading this will have concerns and wonder if the off gassing will cause health issues. To answer this type of question, I did a deep dive into VOCs and found something. To my horror, doctors say that continued exposure to off gassing can lead to 108 diseases. However, they also noted that much of it is related to numerous factors that aren’t the same for many people.

But don’t be overly concerned cause there are safety commissions such as GREENGUARD that show which items have low emissions. Also, you can air out our cold foam mattress for a week or two to decrease the chance of it off gassing at home.

Conclusion

Since we are at the end, I hope my experience and explanations have helped me become more familiar with a cold foam mattress. On a personal note, this type of mattress isn’t my top pick, but they offer certain benefits that are hard to find elsewhere. If cold foam benefits match what you are looking for, I highly advise you to purchase.
While having a cold foam mattress is great and all you will need a memory foam mattress topper as well sometimes. With mattress toppers, you will also need to know which side goes up on memory foam mattress toppers.