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For this month's Furniture Tip, I thought we would give you information that we've found about Mattresses and the secrets to purchasing a new mattress. What should you look for? Is there a certain type that is better for a persons back? What is a "NO FLIP" mattress? And maybe, questions that  you have had through the years. Most of the information in this article are from the website www.allabouthome.com. We have also taken the time to inform you about our mattress standards right inside the article. They have a wealth of information at their site you might want to check back with them from time to time to help you out with some of your home projects. Here's what we found..

• When shopping for a mattress wear shoes you can get in and out of easily.
• Test the mattress by laying full-length out on the bed. Try it out like you're going to use it, and spend some time on it to see how it really feels. If you feel silly, just think how silly you're going to feel when you don't sleep comfortably after spending all that money!
• Note the gauge of the wire as well as the coil count. The smaller the #, the heavier the wire is.
• Always buy box springs at the same time. They are made to be a set.
• Use a heavy-duty bed frame with good center support.
• Don't assume that a higher price means a better mattress. (Granary mattresses are of high quality & very affordable.)
• Stay away from department stores - they're always higher and sometimes the name-brand companies make mattresses to fit the store's specifications. You might not be getting the mattress you think you are.
• Remember that all "pillow top" mattresses will get body impressions (except latex toppers.)
• Shop around, compare delivery prices, and find out if the company will remove your old mattress for you.
• Buy a mattress with a minimum of 312 coils (fine for children), with 540 being the absolute best. Full-size should have at least 300, queen-size at least 375 and king-size at least 450. You should also know what the wire size of the coils are. The lower the gauge number the heavier the wire.
• Check factory specifications closely.
• For the bed to be right, it should yield enough for you to sink slightly, but not too much, into the bed. LIE DOWN on the mattress, preferably with your sleeping partner, before you buy. You're not going to be bouncing up and down on the edge of the mattress with you get home!
• For a dry bed, choose a mattress with comfort layers made of latex and insulating pat made of coconut fiber. Stay away from wool because wool can grow mold when damp that could trigger asthma problems. (The Granary doesn't use any wool in our mattresses.)
• A mattress should be an innerspring at least nine inches thick. The Granary's Elite is twelve inches, and the Supreme Plush is nine and a half inches. Don't buy budget when you're buying a mattress. A good mattress will last you 10 to 15 years and will end up costing only pennies a night even at the high-end prices. Shop smart, but don't scrimp.

Mattress Terms

• Foundation - absorbs the shock of daily wear and provides support and durability.
• Core - provides support for the body and can be spring, air, foam or water.
• Upholstery - Adds comfort and cushioning.
• Coil Count - the number of coils in the mattress. High coil count gives better contouring while lower coil count if firmer.
• Contour - how the mattress coils conform to the body for comfort.
• Box Spring - supports and cushions the mattress.
• Innerspring - the inner support of the mattress composed of hundreds of wire coils held together by wire or cloth.
• Wire gauge - thickness of the wire coils. The thicker the wire, the less flexible the coils.
• Comfort level - can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer with Plush being soft and fluffy, Firm being standard cushioning and Pillow top being a mattress with extra layers of cushioning.
• Non pro-rated warranty - a manufacturer's warranty against defects.
• Pro-rated warranty - offers less coverage based on the number of years in the warranty.

Do you Need a New Mattress?

If you aren't getting a good night's sleep, it could be due to a worn out mattress. You're probably ready for a new mattress and box springs if:

• Your mattress is lumpy, bumpy, sagging or uneven
• Your mattress is 10 to 15 years old
• You wake every morning with aches and pains or feeling tired
• Your mattress makes noises or sways when you lie down
• You and your sleeping partner keep falling in the "hole" in the middle
• Your mattress has signs of wear, is torn, has stains or smells like mold or mildew

Caring for Your Mattress

• Rotate your new mattress as the manufacturer suggests. Rotating every few weeks will help to keep from making a body indent in the mattress. Rotate the box springs as well.
• Vacuum the mattress regularly.
• Soap and water will take out most stains.

What is a "NO FLIP" Mattress?

• They only have one side
• Can be manufactured cheaper with one sided components
• Being sold higher priced because of advertising gimmick
• If you have any spills or stains on one side of your mattress you can't turn it over for a clean side.
• Most "No Flip" Mattresses are way over priced.

** Granary Mattresses are constructed as a minimal flip. You can choose to flip one time during the lifetime of the mattress or flip more often you get to choose.