What is coil gauge in a mattress

Typically utilized in innerspring and hybrid mattresses, mattress coils are metal springs that are arranged in a pattern to support the weight of the sleeper. There are several different types of coils, each of which is optimized for a different function.

In addition to the Bonnell coils, offset coils, continuous-wire coils, and pocketed coils used in the support core, some mattresses also utilize smaller coils in the comfort layers. Understanding how the different styles of coils contribute to the feel and durability of the mattress can help you identify the type that is best for you. Mattress coils are metal springs that support the mattress and form a durable surface on which to sleep.

Most mattress coils are constructed with tempered steel. Coil-based mattresses tend to be responsive and fairly durable. As the coils leave room for airflow, they also sleep cooler than all-foam mattresses. Coil-based mattresses may be more or less supportive depending on factors such as the coil type, gauge, total coil count, and overall mattress design.

The four primary types of coils used in mattress support cores include Bonnell coils, offset coils, continuous wire coils, and pocketed coils. Some mattresses also use microcoils, nanocoils, and minicoils in the comfort or transitional layers. Within the major types of coils, there may also be slight variations in design.

Each mattress coil style offers certain advantages and disadvantages for different sleeping positions, body types, and budgets. Bonnell coils have an hourglass shape that is wider on the top and bottom than in the middle. The thinner portion is designed to flex in response to minimal pressure, while the thicker portion can stand up to greater pressure. Each coil is knotted at the end and connected to the neighboring coils via a network of thin, spiral-shaped helical wires.

Since Bonnell coils are interconnected, they move as a single unit. Friction from the coils may also produce some noise. Bonnell coils were the original type of mattress coils used to make mattresses. Bonnell coils are fairly firm and they generally have reliable edge support, though they can be prone to sagging in the center of the mattress.

Offset coils are a derivative of Bonnell coils, sharing their hourglass shape and interconnected helical wires. While offset coils look similar to their predecessors, some key differences make them more responsive, comfortable, and quieter.

Rather than a completely rounded top and bottom, offset coils have squared sides. The coils flex like a hinge under lighter pressure, and provide stronger pushback under an increased load. Offset coils can respond to movement without transferring as much motion to the rest of the mattress, and their ergonomic design may also limit noise.

There are several different variations of offset coils, such as designs with hinges on both sides, or the top and bottom, or offset coils that do not have knots. Offset coils are more costly to manufacture than Bonnell coils, which can drive up the price of the mattress as a whole. Continuous coils are constructed with a single wire, formed into rows of loose coils that are connected by helical wires. This straightforward design is highly durable and inexpensive. Helical wires throughout the frame provide even spacing for the coils.

For the same reason, continuous wire coils are not as quiet as offset coils. They work well in mattresses with thick comfort layers. Continuous coils require less time and money to produce, and they are typically less expensive than other coil types.

Pocketed coils consist of multiple smaller coils that are individually wrapped in fabric. The fabric sleeves are sewn or glued together, allowing each spring to move independently within its fabric casing. Also called Marshall coils, pocketed coils are particularly common in hybrid mattresses. The offset design, found in more expensive mattresses, is similarly hourglass shaped, but the circles at the top and bottom of each coil are flattened to create a hinging action within the mattress core.

This design allows the mattress to better conform to your body, and tends to make offset coils less noisy than their Bonnell predecessors. It also allows offset coils to be connected to each other via helicals corkscrew-shaped wires that run over the tops and bottoms of the coils , which prevents them from moving from side to side when compressed.

Continuous coil springs are made from a single length of wire shaped into a series of loose S-shaped ringlets. The concept behind this design is that by attaching each coil to its neighbors, the mattress core will be stronger, more stable, and more durable. Continuous coil designs also allow for significantly more coils per mattress, making it difficult to compare coil counts with non-continuous coil systems. Today, this coil type is common mainly in very inexpensive mattresses.

As with connected coils, since metal touches metal in the bed, there's potential for noise or squeaking when the coils rub against each other. Pocketed coils, also known as Marshall coils, are each individually wrapped in a fabric pocket.

While the pockets might be connected together, the springs are each independent of one another and can move separately. Pocketed coils provide more motion separation than other innerspring coil types, meaning that when your partner starts tossing and turning, you are less likely to be disrupted.

This can really come in handy if your bed-mate is a restless sleeper. On the flip side, pocketed coils endure greater strain over time, since each coil absorbs weight without distributing it to other nearby coils. Many innerspring mattresses now use pocketed coils, and the majority of hybrid beds use them too. Coils are usually found in the support layer of a mattress.

It is considered that the highest coil count for an ordinary Queen-size mattress is 1, coil springs. This number can reach up to 2, coil springs for a King mattress and bigger mattresses like Texas King, Wyoming King, and Alaskan King. The minimum coil count for smaller mattresses that are suitable to use by adults, in particular, Full-size mattresses, is coil spins. In this case, the min coil count is for a Queen-size mattress.

A Queen mattress must have at least coils. The max count is coils. This count may vary depending on the type of coils, weight of sleepers, and other factors, but buying a Queen-size mattress with fewer than coil springs inside is a bad idea. The minimum coil count for a Full mattress is coil springs. As mentioned before, the rest depends on plenty of factors, in particular, the weight of a sleeper or sleepers , type of coil springs, etc. This website uses cookies to improve user experience.

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Sep 18, Full Queen King Minimum coil count Gauge No. Approximate Sheet Steel Thickness Characteristics 12 0. Related guides. What Causes Yellow Stains?

Sagging, tearing, holes, and staining are the things that can shorten the lifespan of the mattress. These are also the signs Read guide. Oct 4, How To Move A Mattress? How to move a mattress without damaging it? Oct 11, Types Of Mattresses. There is no perfect mattress for everyone. Better for one person is not always better for the next. Therefore, this article Bunk beds are a good choice for people who want to save room space and who like unique design solutions, although choosing Oct 28, Mattress Firmness Guide.

We've created this guide to make it easier for you to choose the right firmness and provide yourself with proper spinal alignment Jul 29, A queen mattress should have a minimum of coils, and a king a minimum of coils.

But mattresses with greater coil counts than the minimum coil level might not actually provide a significantly greater level of support or comfort.

For instance, a mattress with a low coil count might promote greater coil density, offering greater support. A higher coil count increases mattress longevity, and offers better body support. As mentioned, you'll want to stay away from a mattress with a low coil count, but the minimum acceptable coil count varies depending on the size of the mattress.

You might note if you buy a mattress with a coil count greater than the minimum standards, it won't provide a noticeable increase in support or comfort.

Certain innerspring mattresses use extra padding layers to offer edge protection. This decreases the actual number of inside coils. These types of mattresses typically promote coil density numbers, indicating the support level in comparison to coil count.

When assessing a mattress, certain individuals might focus mostly on coil count. Now, while coil count is definitely an essential factor for the support system of a mattress, other factors help in coil performance.

Individuals want to take other things into consideration when comparing innerspring support systems, such as:. The mattress coils gauge number indicates the firmness of the mattress. So, the lower the gauge number, the stiffer and firmer the mattress is, providing a harder mattress surface.

A mattress coil gauge tends to range anywhere from 12 to If you're searching for a mattress that's forgiving, a good coil gauge number is about But, if you're searching for a mattress that provides more firm support, a good coil gauge number will be around 13 or lower.

A mattress with a lower coil gauge usually will last longer because the thicker wire tends to wear out over time slowly. But, most people replace their mattress before the mattress coils have time to wear out, regardless of what the gauge is, and so gauge numbers shouldn't be considered too heavily in regards to durability.

Coil fatigue is when innerspring coils lose load-bearing capacity. It usually occurs in a lower-quality mattress that lacks tempered steel coils. You'll find most innerspring systems offer ideal initial support, but inexpensive coils can soften, and after prolonged usage, offer poor body support.

Coil failure usually occurs in the middle of the mattress where a lot of the weight rests. After coils wear out, the mattress sags, and it decreases overall quality of rest. People might feel lower back pain the next morning, or it might be hard to get comfortable. Also essential is the number of working turns in every coil.

This is the measurement of how tightly wound a coil is. The more working turns the coil has, the more durable and softer the mattress will be, because the body's weight is distributed more evenly by the springs.

Tempering is a process that enhances innerspring coil resiliency and strength. It involves steel wire heating to a high temperature, and after that allowing the metal to air cool.

It also ensures the coils keep their intended shape following a number of compressions. Premium crafted supportive fabric-encased coils offer the ideal amount of support, incredibly buoyant sleep, and zero motion transfer. Overall, when you're thinking about purchasing a coil mattress, you should check into the number of coils, the coil gauge, and the type of coils the mattress's construction uses.

One final thing to consider is if the mattress coils have been tempered. Tempered coils provide more durability, since they've been repeatedly heated and cooled to solidify the coil shape. For people requiring firm support, like people with greater mass or a larger frame, tempered coils might be ideal. A few important things to take into consideration are the more coil springs, the firmer the mattress, coils offer more support, mattress with coils typically last longer, more coils doesn't mean better mattresses.

Coil count is how many coil springs are inside an innerspring or hybrid mattress.