What You Need To Know About Gel Foam Mattress Pads

If you've had the pleasure of shopping for new bedding such as gel foam mattress pads that we'll be covering in detail on this page, any time within the last 10 years or so, you're probably aware that bedding options have exploded in the last decade. Americans are no longer sleeping simply on the conventional innerspring mattress and box spring set; they now have options that include technologically advanced water beds, memory foam mattresses, and mattresses with their firmness regulated by air pressure. The new technology even goes well beyond mattresses to include mattress pads and other accessories. One of the newest and hottest products is the gel foam mattress pad.

The Purpose of the Mattress Pad

The mattress pad really serves two different types of individuals. The first is someone who genuinely enjoys the option of sleeping on an innerspring mattress but who would like to add a bit of body conforming support for medical or therapeutic reasons. The mattress pad provides that support without losing the inherent firmness of the innerspring mattress.

The second type of individual is one who is noticing his or her innerspring mattress breaking down but doesn't currently have the funds to replace it. The mattress pad can extend the life of the mattress temporarily until it can be replaced. In addition, using a mattress pad on an existing innerspring mattress adds an extra layer of comfort for the user.

The Gel Foam Mattress Pad

The gel foam mattress pad is a different from a traditional foam pad in both materials and construction. With a traditional foam pad the user normally gets just a single sheet of foam that can be flat or contoured. This type of foam pad works well but is limited due to the fact that the foam can migrate and break down over time. Unlike full foam mattresses that can be 6-8 inches thick, the disadvantage of a foam pad is that it is generally only an inch or so thick. The lack of thickness is partially responsible for the migration and breakdown of the foam.

A gel foam mattress pad on the other hand, is a cross between the water bed concept and a foam mattress. It is built with a series of bladders filled with gel, and embedded in the foam that shift and move along with the user. The bladder system more evenly distributes weight, adding comfort and extending the life of the pad. Many hospitals and nursing homes use gel foam mattress pads because they are believed to be therapeutically superior to a standard foam mattress pad.

Using Gel Mattress Pads at Home

Gel foam mattress pads were originally designed for institutional use in hospitals and nursing homes. The motivation for the design was to alleviate bedsores in patients who are confined to bed for long periods of time. The technology works so well, and the cost of production so reasonable, that these types of mattress pads now have widespread use in the home. Rest assured that those manufactured for home use are just as effective and therapeutic as those manufactured for institutional use.

So popular are these mattress pads that nearly every major manufacturer of traditional innerspring mattresses now also makes one. Many bedding stores and online retailers are now even including gel foam mattress pads as part of a complete bedding package. In a day and age when productive sleep is an area of great concern among American consumers, the market for these mattress pads only continues to increase.

When purchasing a gel foam mattress pad be sure to treat it just as you would any other major bedding purchase. Take the time to read and understand all of the product's details as well as the manufacturer's claims regarding performance and life. And by all means check warranty information so that you know how well or how little the product is covered. Gel foam mattress pads can usually be had for $200 or less at your local bedding store or online.