Help With Latex Foundation
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I need help making a decision about a foundation for a latex mattress. I currently have a waterbed with the standard waterbed foundation. That is to say, one that has a solid top piece over the slats. This of course would restrict air circulation as opposed to a normally slatted foundation for a latex mattress with the traditional 2 inch gap between slats. I am getting conflicting advice. This advice has come principally from people who are supposed to know what they’re talking about. Some say that my foundation will be just fine. Others say, no!, you need a slatted foundation in order to get the proper amount of ventilation so that you don’t get mildew or other ill effects transmitted to your latex mattress. There are some others who say that it doesn’t matter all that much, maybe it will be a problem, and maybe it won’t. What I would like to hear is something from those who have actually had experience with latex mattresses, and can share that experience with those of us who are ignorant of the possibilities. |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
| I don't have direct experience as I'm just in the research phase myself, but, how are you getting the mattress? Are you buying the layers yourself and building your own, or having one built custom for you, ala FloBeds? One issue you may want to consider is how the foundation will affect your warranty. If you buy a bed manufactured for you, the warranty will almost certainly have something to say about it being void without a proper foundation. Just something to consider. |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
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Kimberly has a point--and it applies to ANY mattress, S brands especially. Many manufacturers make you buy their foundation or your warranty is void. Find out before you buy what the requirement is. As for latex, assuming you are free to mate it to whatever foundation you like... if you live in a humid climate and don't run air conditioning slats are recommended to allow air circulation. If you live in a dry climate mold and condensation are not a problem so a solid foundation is just fine. |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
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Kimberly, cloud9, thank you both for your responses. I certainly understand where you're coming from regarding the foundations and warranties from the major manufacturers. They definitely can get quite sticky if you do not use their foundation. However I am purchasing from one of the small independents that manufacturers 100% all natural organic latex.None of their warrantees are anything like the major manufacturers warranties regarding foundations. And it's from these sources, the small independents, that I'm getting varying recommendations. As I indicated, my foundation is currently supporting a waterbed. It is going to be very interesting when I finally pull the water out of it, and remove it, to see if there is any mold buildup, or other unwanted characteristics. I have slept on this bed for 10 years. It has never been moved since the day I installed it. So this will be a pretty good test, I would think. But one just does not know, until they have personally experienced something, what all the facts are. Since the slat foundation has been so heavily recommended I would be more comfortable with this approach to supporting my new latex bed. But after all the money I'm spending I hate to layout another $250 if I don't need to. That's another thing that is troubling about these foundations, the prices ranges all the way from $250 to over $800. One of the forum members built their own foundation out of chipboard for $85 in material and his free work. I understand business needing profit margins, as I used to be a small businessman myself, but some of the profit margins companies seem to feel they deserve today, at least from my perspective, seem ludicrous. Again, thank you for your responses. |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
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Hi eagle2, I am currently trying to get my latex mattress fitted with the right layers that sleeps good for me. If I was making your decision on a foundation I would go with what I had, and make changes as needed if needed. From all I've read, soild is fine, of course I made a slatted one, but if I had it to do over I would put plywood over my old box springs, at least until I had the mattress worked out. Bear |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
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In regards to warranty, the simplest way to look at it is the manufacturers say "Our foundation or no foundation". Basically they don't want you to use old foundations. No major brand out there voids your warranty for using a platform system. For the foundation question I'd ask what the sides of your bed look like, Eagle. Do they come up all the way (or even more than half) over the walling of your latex mattress? Is the mattress recessed into the bed structure like a waterbed would be? (covered on all sides but the top) If this is the case I'd say yes, you need to give the poor bed room to breathe. If you had a more traditional platform design where the walls don't come up all the way to the lip of the bed I'd say don't worry about it. Beds breath out their sides anyway. |
Re: Help With Latex Foundation
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Bear: Thanks for your responding. I believe I am going to take your advice and "take a wait and see attitude." Alex: I have a softsided waterbed. So the latex will sit on top of the box's. Your "it will breath out the sides" idea was what the sales guy at Sleep EZ told me as well. So I thank all those board members who were kind enough to post back, I give you all a big "Thank You" for your advice. Have a happy Labor Day!!  |