Mattress shopping shouldn’t be a headache, but without the knowledge and information necessary to make the right purchase, it could very well turn into such a situation. Rather than shop blindly, hoping for the best, take a look at the Q&A below and find answers to your most burning mattresses questions.

Some questions are heard over and over again, such as “why is sleep so important to health” or “what do all the words like ‘memory foam’ or ‘pocketed coils’ mean?”

Don’t start shopping for a new mattress before you’ve received answers to the many questions you likely have.

Mattresses are not all one and the same and rushing to purchase a product without this information can cause regret very quickly. Take a look at the five common questions and answers below to alleviate some of the stress of the purchase.

Here’s a round-up of some of the questions we hear most at Bed’rMattress:

Question 1: How Often Should Mattresses be Replaced?

The average mattress has a seven to 10 year lifetime, although this number is only an estimate. At this age, the product is unlikely to provide the support and comfort that you need for a good night’s sleep. There’s also dust mites and bacteria of concern in an older product. Many signs suggest that it is time to replace, even well before the 7-year mark. Learn the signs and replace when it is time.

Question 2: How Much Will it Cost?

Mattresses cost anywhere from a couple hundred bucks to thousands of dollars, depending on the brand, material, and the model selected. Investing in a quality product is a good idea, even if this means that you spend a little bit more initially.

It’s about time you get the sleep that you deserve!

Question 3: Is firmness Important?

Mattresses come in firmnesses that are listed on a 1-10 universal scale. One is the softest; 10is the most firm. Most people have their preferences in firmness, although about in the middle of the scale is the ideal firmness level recommended by the American Sleep Association. It is a good idea to check out some of the firmness levels ahead of the purchase to ensure that you choose a product that meets your expectations.

Question 4: Does Size Matter?

Mattresses are sold in twin, full, queen, and king sizes. Other specialty sizes of mattresses may also be available. Size does matter where mattresses are concerned. Size affects the cost, the amount of space that the product takes up in your room, the room you have to move around while sleeping, and more. Measure the size of the room to make sure that you have room if you opt to use queen or king sizes.

Question #5:  Do I need to flip my mattress?

Not really, but we do recommend that you rotate it every six months for even wear.

Question #6:  Do I need to get a new box spring?

Yes! The box spring is the thing that acts as the foundation, the thing that supports the mattress. Think about asphalt in a driveway–it’s not something you’d really think about, but the driveway couldn’t survive without it.

By the way, it’s usually the first thing to become worn out.

A Good Night Just Got Bed’r

Follow these simple suggestions and you’ll be sleeping soundly in no time.