It's perfectly OK to lie down on job when shopping for new mattress

There are many products that, at a quick glance, seem similar, but the price tags tell a different story. More often than not, the price difference is not due to a retailer's markup but to a difference in quality. From carpeting to intricate cabinetry, you get what you pay for.

This week, Finishing Touches starts a series on comparative shopping - what quality means, what to look for and what to watch out for. This week, I'll look at mattresses.

If you've shopped for a mattress recently, you probably noticed there's a lot to choose from - inner spring mattresses topped with plush fibres, foam mattress futons, adjustable beds, even custom mattresses.

To find out which mattress suits you, test several. Don't, just sit on the edge, lie down and see how you feel. Mostly, it's a personal choice; some prefer hard surfaces, others prefer soft. A decision made in haste could translate into many nights of tossing and turning.

When selecting a mattress and box spring, don't skimp on quality. Choose the best you can afford. Quality construction will ensure your set will provide you with eight to 12 years of nightly comfort and support.

What separates the good mattress from the bad? Eric L'Ecuyer of Hardy Mattress and Feather Co. on Richmond Road offers these tips:

*How thick is it? The mattress should be anywhere from 20 to 38 centimetres thick. If the opposite side rises when you sit down, move on to the next one.

*How does it sound? The mattress shouldn't creak or make annoying sounds when you roll over or sit on it. Inner spring mattresses may make an occasional noise, but that's to be expected.

*If buying an inner spring set, ask about the 500-coil system. This number is based on a double bed mattress, which should contain a minimum of 500 spring coils. Anything less is not good quality. A twin bed will have approximately 10 per cent fewer coils, or about 450, and a queen-size about 15 per cent more, or about 575. The optimum coil system for a child's mattress is 312.

*Ask about the foam used to cover the coils. Pure foam with a density of two pounds for every cubic foot is ideal Some companies used loaded foam. This is foam whose density has been increased by adding sand or oil. To check foam quality, do this quick test:

Firmly press two fingers into the mattress and hold for 30 seconds. Remove quickly. If the mattress springs back quickly, the foam is probably pure. If it doesn't, it's probably loaded, so more on.

*Ask about Flexell, a material that separates the coils from the foam. It should be a minimum 13 millimetres thick. Flexell will protect the foam from being damaged by the coils.

*Pocket coils or tied coils are individually wrapped either with cotton or a J-cloth material. Coils wrapped in cotton are better because the J-cloth can cause friction.

*Ask what the mattress's surface fabric is made of. Pure cotton is better than a 50-50 blend of polyester and cotton. Sheets slip off the latter and cotton breathes better.

Don't put a new mattress on an old box spring. Sleep sets are exactly that - sets. They're designed to work together. An old box spring will reduce the life of your mattress and, in the long run, affect your sleep.

Plan on spending anywhere from $99 for a budget-priced twin mattress to $1,800 for a premium king-size set. We all know a good night's sleep allows you to function better during the day.

We also know, from nightmare experiences, that a mattress can make or break that good night's sleep.

Since we're awake two-thirds of our lives and want to be the best we can be, wouldn't it be wise to invest in a good quality mattress?