What are encapsulated mattresses?

There are thousands of mattresses available on the market. From budget, midrange, high end, and super high end (visit Sloane Street or the Kings Road in Chelsea!). Different mattresses come with different fillings. But they also come with different edges which provide varying levels of side support. Not just for the sleeper but also for the spring units and mattresses themselves.

Many mattresses do not have any side support. This may sound strange, but often no edge support is required depending on what the mattress will be used for (insert sleeping on joke here). Some mattresses are for occasional uses like guest rooms, some are for landlords, and some may even be for temporary use. Remember that generally, the edge of a mattress isn’t for sleeping on. And they’re also certainly not for sitting on. If you sit in the same place on the side of a mattress. Over the months and years, it will start to sink. As they’re not designed for concentrated pressure in a single location. An example would be kids playing video games in their room, or someone doing their make up in the mirror.

So let’s get to this. Encapsulated mattresses mean there is an additional layer of support around the perimeter of the mattress. Sometimes around all 4 edges and sometimes around just the long sides. The main material and method used is by placing a firm block of slim foam around the sides, on the outside of the pocket springs. Imagine a photo frame around a painting. This is the same but the frame is made from a durable firm foam, and it goes around the mattress instead. This helps keep the mattress supported and together. And can be helpful for those looking for genuine edge to edge support. The layer is noticeable. Meaning if you were to use your hand to hit the side of the mattress. You’ll feel the firmness where the foam is sat. The layer is wide enough for it to be slept on meaning the side won’t sink if you happen to be sleeping near the edge of the bed. These layer do not interfere with the mattress support of level of comfort. It’s worth noting that no mattress should really be sat on for a prolonged period of time. Our Breasley range of mattresses have this exact type of encapsulation and are a very popular choice!

A slightly new method of achieving the same result is by making the outer rim of springs extra firm. Usually, the last 1 or 2 rows of springs can be made using an extra firm gauge of spring. Making the edge very firm indeed. This is an alternate method to the foam encapsulation mentioned above. The main area of the sleeping surface is the regular pocket spring, in whatever specification you’re after. It is simply the very edge that has the firmest possible springs, creating the edge to edge sleeping surface. This is also called encapsulation.

Another method used to create side support but not really classed as encapsulation is the use of butterfly clips. They are pieces of firm wire which, as you guessed, are shaped like a butterfly. They are inserted around the sides of the mattress which then prop up the edge, making it firmer and creating the edge to edge support many people look for. This style of firming up the sides can be found on out Repose Pocket Master range of mattresses. Which are our firmest mattresses available.

I hope this has gone some way in explaining some of the industries technical terms!