It’s possible that you don’t want to spring for the full expense of a memory foam mattress, but you’d still like to enjoy some of its considerable benefits, such as excellent nights of sleep, body support, and enjoying the way the foam contours itself to you but returns to its own shape in the mornings. If you add a foam mattress topper onto your regular mattress, then you might derive virtually all the same comforts, but at a considerable saving to the pocketbook. You might think of the topper as a mattress enhancer, rather than an entire change of bed.
But for the sake of your future comfort, you should be aware of some of the drawbacks of foam mattress toppers as well. The reason why memory foam works so well in the first place is that the top 3 inches or so heat up and will change shape, while the lower layer is not affected, remaining cool and firm. This is how much of the good supportive effects are derived. If you don’t already have an existing mattress to provide similar underlying firmness, then the good effects of the foam topper will undoubtedly be lost.
Another crucial factor is that your existing mattress cannot have sags in it, but must be completely flat and firm. A foam mattress topper will rely on the underlying surface for support, and will sag right along with it if it’s not firm or flat. Then as your body heat activates the visco elastic memory foam, it will change shape further, perhaps even accentuating the sagging. You may find that your sleep and comfort are made worse rather than better.
Since a faulty underlying mattress might rob you of whatever benefits you hoped to gain from your foam mattress topper, you may need to evaluate whether it’s a good idea to go that route. If it’s going to cost extra to make sure your underlying mattress provides the support needed to make the topper effective, then perhaps it would be wiser to accept the extra expense and buy a complete memory foam bed instead.
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