Types Of Latex
When buying a latex mattress it is important to be aware that there are three basic types of latex on the market that you will encounter – natural, synthetic, and blended. Each one has unique properties that may sway you as a buyer, from affordability to durability and being chemical free. While ultimately it is up to you to decide what is best for your needs and lifestyle, here is a breakdown of the advantages and drawbacks of each type:
100% Natural Latex
A natural Talalay or Dunlop latex mattress is arguably the most beneficial of all latex mattresses, as they can be up to 97% natural and free of harsh chemicals. They are also naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial, and as they do not emit volatile fumes or substances as they age, these mattresses will always feel as fresh as when you first purchased them. 100% Natural latex mattresses do often cost the most as they do not substitute latex with any synthetic materials and the manufacturing process is more complex and time consuming. Tranquility Mattresses only uses 100% natural latex in all its models.
Blended Latex
As natural latex can indeed be costly, many manufacturers have opted to produce blended latex mattresses that use a smaller percentage of natural latex and a higher percentage of synthetic compounds. Blended latex may end up being more affordable for some buyers, which can be a strong reason to purchase one, but in turn is neither as healthy nor eco-conscious as an all-natural latex mattress.
Synthetic Latex
Though almost as durable and in some cases firmer, synthetic latex mattresses lack many of the features that mattress buyers find appealing. They are created without any naturally occurring latex and are instead composed of petrochemical compounds that are not biodegradable. On top of that, they do not have the inherent hypoallergenic properties of natural latex, and they must be combined with even more chemicals to have the same qualities. They are however much cheaper as the cost to source synthetic material is much more affordable than using natural latex.