How to choose a French bed mattress?

Sofas often replace beds, especially in smaller apartments. Such furniture does not take up much space, but at the same time it is quite functional. However, it is not enough to buy a sofa - you also need to choose a comfortable mattress for it. In this article we will look at mattresses for the French folding bed system.

On the modern market there are 2 types of folding sofa sofas that are in great demand: "French folding bed" and "American folding bed". The peculiarities of the "French clamshell" are that it has three zones, which are divided as follows: for the legs, back and head (headboard). In order to straighten or, conversely, assemble the system, there are movable hinges in the frame. They walk very easily, do not create resistance and do not require additional effort. This model is in no way inferior to a classic bed, provided that the mattress is correctly selected for a folding sofa.

"American folding beds" have a two-section mechanism, that is, the space is divided from the headboard to the middle of the back and from the middle of the back to the legs. The main difference between the French and American systems is the size of the mattresses that can be used. Why do many people prefer sofas with French cot mattresses? This is because these systems ergonomically occupy the space of small rooms. They are small and at the same time quite roomy.

Mattresses can be overhead and built-in. Embedded - these are those that directly come with the system. In terms of filling, they are very diverse, but they are no more than 5 cm in height. They usually repeat the bends of the frame. Overhead can be thicker than 5 cm, but their main disadvantage is that they should be stored in a different place, and not removed along with the clamshell.

In order to deal with the filler, first it is worth considering what types of mattresses exist.

• Inflatable... The option is very cheap and easily accessible, but, unfortunately, it is not suitable for daily sleep.
• With springs. Such mattresses usually come with a block of independent springs connected to each other, with each spring in a separate bag.
• Orthopedic... These are special mattresses for posture correction. They support the human body in the right position. This has a beneficial effect not only on physical sensations, but also on the quality of sleep.
• Springless... Such models are quite simple and inexpensive.
• Topper - the ideal option, which does not take up much space due to the fact that it is quite thin.

Not many fillers are used for mattresses. The packing has special requirements:

• it must withstand a heavy load without the formation of lumps and pits in it;
• the mattress should fold and unfold well, be flexible.

The following materials are most commonly used.

• 100% latex. It is made from the milky sap of a rubber tree. The resulting foam is very resilient, flexible and breathable. Hardness varieties: medium and below average.
• Natural latex. Cheaper analogue of the first option. Latex in such models is quite small, on average from 15 to 40%. But on the market this mattress is always declared as made from natural latex. Less elastic, less elastic.
• Polyurethane foam or polyurethane foam... A good option. A demanded filler due to its price / quality ratio.

After everything has been decided with the choice of filler, the next step is to select the correct sizes. The main difference between bed and sofa mattresses is their height. For sofas with a "French folding bed" mattresses are very low, only 5-7 cm. This is due to the folding mechanism, namely three sections, which are superimposed on each other. The frame itself is stored in the sofa box under the pillows. Of course, there are special models in which the thickness is only 2 cm, but they are quite rare.

But what if, for some reason, the mattress was not included in the kit? Then you need to know the dimensions of the clamshell.

• The standard mattresses are considered to be 160x190 or 140x190 cm in size. This is the best option for one and a half sleeper.
• For one person you can find a mattress measuring 90x190 cm.
• For double bed sizes 180x200 cm are suitable.

The country of origin is also worth noting. On average, the width of the "French clamshell" varies from 70 to 160 cm, there are models for 180 cm. But in length there are some differences. For example, in Italian models, the length is usually 180 cm, in Russian - from 190 cm as standard, European manufacturers are limited to 186 cm in length.

It will be easier to choose a mattress if you stick to a certain plan.

• First of all, it should be clarified what type of sofa is your folding bed, so as not to confuse the French version with the American one.
• Choosing mattresses is better in departments specializing in clamshells, so as not to be mistaken with the size and filling. It will be great if the mattress comes with a cover for it - this will increase the service life.
• Also, if possible, you should select models with additional clamps, for example, with Velcro so that the mattress does not slip, or rubber bands that will securely press the mattress against the frame.