Basics

• A soft-side water bed is made of one or multiple water-containing mattresses inside a foam frame, which sits upon a deck, usually made of wood or metal, for stability. These solid decks are designed to keep the mattress still and stable wherever they are placed. These decks rest on solid platforms for additional stability. These mattresses are designed to look like normal box-spring mattresses while providing the comfort of a modern water bed. Modern water-bed mattresses and water chambers can be designed with additional support to decrease the "wave" effect and create a more stable sleeping platform without sacrificing comfort.
  
  

Materials and Design

• Water-bed mattresses are made with one or multiple water chambers. Multiple chambers are commonly used to make the surface area more stable and cause fewer "waves." The chambers are contained inside a foam frame, which makes the body of the actual mattress. Many people choose to use these mattresses because they do not need to buy any additional mattress sets, as their old sets fit the new mattresses. The mattresses usually rest on a platform of solid wood or metal. The materials for the platforms may differ depending on the type of mattress, the size, and on what floor material it will rest on.
  
  

Creation

• The chambers of the water bed are constructed from a polyvinyl chloride or similar material, and are tested to make sure they do not leak. They are made in various sizes, and some are made with a mix of air chambers to make the mattress more stable. The platforms are much more solid than normal mattress platforms, to accommodate the additional weight. The outer mattress can be made from latex, viscoelastic or polyurethane materials. They are created in many of the same sizes as normal box-spring mattresses, unlike other water beds that come in unique sizes.