Much more information about waterbeds
Why Choose a Waterbed?
The following list includes just a few of the most important points.
Support - It is a scientific fact water can not be compressed, it can only be displaced. What this means in terms of using water in a bed is that it will naturally conform to your body's shape and does not "push back" against your body weight. With all other forms of sleep systems your body weight compresses the materials they are constructed of, meaning they can't help but push back against you. This pushing back effect will exert pressure points on your body which leads to reduced blood circulation, muscle stiffness, and for people confined to bed for long periods of time, severe bed sores. Flotation style of support by displacement on a waterbed allows the sleeper using the bed to lay comfortably in any sleeping position, whether you are a side, back, or even stomach sleeper. Every new form of bed developed over the last few decades (pocket coils, memory foam, gel beds, etc.) have all been trying to achieve the full body support that water gives naturally. Oh yes, and they are not temperature controlled like a flotation sleep system is.
Therapeutic warmth - We have all known for years about the soothing effects of warm water on sore stiff muscles. Remember hot water bottles? The waterbed is the largest form of a hot water bottle in the world, and you can sleep on it every night. Imagine slipping into bed after a hard day's work (or play) and having your temperature controlled sleep system relieve your pain while you sleep. Ask anyone who suffers from arthritis, fibromyalgia, etc. how the warmth of a heated waterbed relieves their suffering.
Most newer sleep systems make the user too warm or too cold, while the waterbed allows you to set the temperature exactly where you want it, and accurately maintains the setting until you decide to alter it.
Continuity - Another benefit of this system of support is that when you lie on a waterbed it conforms to your body's shape and when you leave the bed the water flows back to a flat position. This happens repeatedly for as long as you sleep on the bed. What this means is that while all forms of beds that work on compression are deteriorating in their ability to feel like they did when you bought them, the waterbed will deliver the same great feel and support in 20 years as it does the first time you sleep on it.
Cleanliness and non-allergenic properties - Dust, dead skin cells, dust mites. Wouldn't it be great if there was a type of mattress that didn't allow these things to collect inside? Oh wait, there is! None of these things can penetrate the vinyl used to contain the water with a flotation sleep system. Simply wipe it clean with a damp cloth and you have the cleanest, healthiest, most allergen free sleeping environment you can own.
Another benefit of this system of support is that when you lie on a waterbed it conforms to your body's shape, when you leave the bed the water flows back to a flat position, and this happens repeatedly for as long as you sleep on the bed. What this means is that while all forms of beds that work on compression are deteriorating in their ability to feel like they did when you bought them, the waterbed will deliver the same great feel and support in 20 years as it does the first time you sleep on it.
Your economy - Just about any doctor, chiropractor, or sleep expert will tell you that you should replace your mattress every ten years, no matter how high quality or how much you paid for it. This is because anything that works on compression, and gets used every day for roughly eight hours per day, is quite literally worn out by then. Waterbeds don't wear out in this fashion, but as with anything they do not last for ever. Imagine how inexpensive being able to replace any component in the bed individually is compared to having to replace a conventional mattress. Long time waterbed owners can tell you that they have saved hundreds, if not thousands of dollars over the years.
These are just a few of the long list of advantages of owning a flotation sleep system. Please contact us by phone or email for more information. You will be glad that you did.
Waterbed FAQs
Q. Will I feel seasick on a waterbed?
A. Waterbed mattresses are available with varying degrees of motion stability systems, but many people find some movement very relaxing and conducive to sleep. A fully motion reduced system will have very little movement. Any motion you give to the mattress tends to be gentle and soothing and ceases as soon as you stop moving. If you select a very stable mattress there will be minimal movement at any time, even if your partner moves. The pressure reduced support of a waterbed also minimizes the need to toss and turn while you are sleeping. The option of a "dual system" further eliminates any possible movement as each mattress is totally independent of the other.
Q. Are waterbeds good for my back? A. YES! A waterbed provides the best support your back can get. When you lie on a flotation mattress the liquid displaces to contour to your shape, and does not “push back” (pressure points) as all other forms of mattresses do. Combine this with the soothing warmth provided by the heated surface and you get the most therapeutic sleep possible.
Q. Are there different types of mattresses?
A. Yes. There are several variations of motion stability, from free flow, with lots of movement, through to fully motion reduced mattresses. There is also a dual mattress system available which allows individual stability and/or temperature control within each mattress. The soft sided style of waterbed has also gained huge popularity in recent years. They offer many advantages such as ease of entering and exiting the bed, use of regular size bed linens, and adaptability with any style of bed headboard or frame you already own.
Q. What if it punctures – won’t it flood?
A. The mattress containing the water is made of very durable vinyl. Unless someone makes a deliberate attempt to puncture the bed with a sharp instrument, it is unlikely to rupture. However, in that unlikely event the safety liner within the frame will contain the liquid, preventing spillage. The damage could then easily be repaired, often without emptying the mattress.
Q. Don't I need a firm bed?
A. The worst bed to sleep on is a soft, shapeless mattress providing little or no support. In the past, a firm bed was thought to be the alternative to this, but this firmness increases the pressure points of hard contact between you and the mattress. These pressure points often restrict your blood circulation and induce more tossing and turning. By contrast, a waterbed provides a therapeutic sleeping surface combining the essential qualities of support, temperature control, and comfort.
Q. How long do waterbeds last?
A. Most manufacturers say twelve to fifteen years is the average life expectancy of the waterbed mattress, and as with any bed the maximum life will depend upon how you care for your bed. Another great advantage of waterbeds is that any individual component of the bed can be replaced, making it far less expensive than replacing a complete mattress and foundation system.
Q. How do the heaters work and are they safe?
A. The heater system uses a low wattage flat heater pad that is placed on the decking underneath the mattress and safety liner. A thermostat constantly maintains the water temperature at your pre-selected setting. Yes - they are safe. They are double insulated and specifically designed to warm your waterbed.
Q. How often do I have to change the water?
A. Only when you need to move the bed. A conditioner should be added annually to prevent the growth of algae or bacteria, and to keep the mattress supple. With regular care the original fill will go on supporting you for years.
Q. What is the weight of a waterbed - aren’t they to heavy for my floor?
A. The weight depends on the size and style of bed. The soft sided models are lighter than hard sided models. A full depth, hard sided, king size waterbed is the equivalent of about 12 adults standing in the room. On average a waterbed will weigh approximately 40 - 45 lbs. per square foot. The weight of the bed is well distributed and the pressure on the floor is less than that of a person in a bath or a freestanding refrigerator. The load on the floor is well below building code minimum requirements.
Q. How much does it cost to heat a waterbed?
A. With today's modern solid state electronic heating systems the cost range can be $8.00 - $10.00 per month to heat your hard sided waterbed and less than half of that for soft sided styles. It will depend what bedding covers the mattress and how well you keep it dressed. The heater only comes on to replace the heat lost to the bedroom. Your heating bills can actually be reduced with the use of a temperature controlled waterbeds, by lowering your thermostat a couple of degrees in winter and raising your a/c setting during the summer during your sleeping hours.
Q. What is waterbed conditioner?
A. Waterbed conditioner is an algaecide/bactericide which is added to the mattress annually. The conditioner maintains the quality of the water so there is no risk of bacteria or algae growth inside the mattress. A proper quality waterbed conditioner also helps to maintain the suppleness of your vinyl mattress to prevent cracks.
Q. How long does it take to get used to a waterbed?
A. If you are new to the flotation sleep experience it may take a couple of nights. However - once your body has adjusted to the level of support it provides you will never want to return to an ordinary bed again. Just ask someone who owns one!
Q. Can I sleep on a waterbed while pregnant?
A. YES! In fact women who sleep on a waterbed find it is the only sleeping surface which allows them get any rest at all in later months of pregnancy. Flotation support systems can offer increased comfort to women during pregnancy by enabling them to lie comfortably in stomach-down or side positions, thereby alleviating much of the pressure that the heavy uterus exerts.
Q. My kids are bugging me to get them a waterbed. Are they safe for children?
A. Once a child has reached the age where they are ready to move out of a crib to a larger bed the waterbed is ideal. A child's skeletal structure is developing from the time they are born until they are approximately 16 years of age. Sleeping on a flotation system which conforms to their body correctly without pressure points allows proper development during these formative years.
We hope that these questions, and the answers provided will help you with your decision to purchase the most comfortable, supportive, therapeutic, allergy free, and all around best sleep system ever invented. If you have any questions that are not answered here please contact us. We are always happy to share our unsurpassed knowledge of flotation sleep systems