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Here's my plan - I would love feedback! My old Serta mattress is shot and needs to be replaced. I now have a 5 lb. memory foam topper with a cotton pad on top, both in good shape. I have to check the condition of my box spring, but I need someone to help me lift the mattress so I will do that next week, and then decide if I need to purchase a foundation. Having never tried latex, I started by purchasing a Nature's Rest Zoned Firm Latex Pillow and a Nature's Rest High Loft Plush Latex Pillow from Overstock.com. The day after using the Firm pillow I woke up without neck pain for the first time in ages - EUREKA! I'm now switching back and forth between the two pillows, as I find them both comfortable. So now on to the latex mattress… After reading the Forum and doing other research, I decided to build a mattress about 10" thick using 100% natural Talalay latex. Comfort is my #1 priority but I'm also on a budget. I'm a side sleeper, 5'5" 110lbs. and often have shoulder and hip pain when I wake up. I like a firm mattress, but need a soft or maybe a convoluted top layer to relieve pressure. My first purchase was a 2" 24ILD topper from RockyMountainMattress.com ($210, less 5% using a "thanks" discount coupon, shipping free) at a cost of $200. I sandwiched it between the memory foam and cotton pads, and it's very comfortable, so I'm going to now purchase 2 x 3" toppers and get rid of the Serta. RockyMountain has the best topper prices, but the firmest one they offer is Medium Firm (32ILD) @ $320 ($304 with the 5% discount). I'll purchase one of those, and then another 3" from FoamSweetFoam in XFirm (35-42ILD) @ $400 w/free shipping. My cost will be $904 for the 8" mattress. After I try it for a while I'll see what I want to purchase for the final 2", either a convoluted topper for the first layer or a firmer topper to use as the second layer under the 2" 24ILD topper. After all the latex is purchased I want to purchase a zippered case for it all. If anyone can recommend a 10" zip case please do, and comments on the above will be appreciated! |
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It is possible that the springs on your Serta are okay and just the foam on top is shot. You possibly could cut of the top (with a box cutter) and put your latex and memory foam directly over the springs. That might work and save you some money. I have done that with a Sealy, and the springs provide a very firm support base. Sleeplikeabear.com and sleepez both sell zippered covers. You can get a basic one with terry cloth on top (the cheapest) or you can get a nice wool/cotton cover. If you go to the sleepez site, you have to click on "mattress components" in the upper left. They charge for shipping while sleeplikeabear might not. Otherwise, it sounds like you have a pretty good strategy. You might be able to just use your memory foam and cotton pad on top of the 24ILD. I do something like that. How thick is the memory foam and do you know who it is made by? |
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Did you think RM latex was good quality? Did it say who manufactured it? Pictures? I agree 32ILD may not be enough for the bottom layer. I would think 8" would be enough since you are thin. I use to be thin  and young.I wish you luck. Do you have any pre-existing conditions, as in old age (LOL) and/or hip pain, or back pain before? |
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Leo3 wrote: Did you think RM latex was good quality? Did it say who manufactured it? Pictures? I agree 32ILD may not be enough for the bottom layer. I would think 8" would be enough since you are thin. I use to be thin and young.I wish you luck. Do you have any pre-existing conditions, as in old age (LOL) and/or hip pain, or back pain before? Leo3, the RM latex is very nice, it's made by Latex International, which is stamped on the side, and also "Queen Monoblock Mold." Sorry no pictures, but it looks just like the photo on their website. I agree that 8" is probably enough, but I have a feeling I might end up buying buying another extra firm layer (2") because I like a very firm bed. Hmmm, pre-existing conditions? Well I'm in denial about my age, which I'm not gonna state here because I already told you my height and weight and that's enough personal info for today  Actually I think being thin is what's causing my hip/shoulder pain. When I sleep on my side all night there's a good amount of pressure and not enough fat to cushion it. I ended up with bursitis in my shoulder which is taking forever to heal (oh I love forums where I get to whine!  ), and that's what prompted me to start investigating alternative bedding. |
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sandman wrote: It is possible that the springs on your Serta are okay and just the foam on top is shot. You possibly could cut of the top (with a box cutter) and put your latex and memory foam directly over the springs. That might work and save you some money. I have done that with a Sealy, and the springs provide a very firm support base. Sleeplikeabear.com and sleepez both sell zippered covers. You can get a basic one with terry cloth on top (the cheapest) or you can get a nice wool/cotton cover. If you go to the sleepez site, you have to click on "mattress components" in the upper left. They charge for shipping while sleeplikeabear might not. Otherwise, it sounds like you have a pretty good strategy. You might be able to just use your memory foam and cotton pad on top of the 24ILD. I do something like that. How thick is the memory foam and do you know who it is made by? sandman, the Serta is more than 10 years old. It's starting to sag in the middle and I'm afraid it's not salvageable. Thanks for the info on the zippered covers. It would be nice if I could find something that expands, because I'm not sure whether I'll end up with an 8" or 10" mattress. If I buy the cover later on, I'll have to take all the latex off my bed to zip it in the case,  and I'd sure like to avoid that!The memory foam pad I have is 2". I bought it about two years ago from Overstock.com and not sure what brand it is (it's the yellow-ish color foam). I have the memory foam under the 24ILD and cotton pad, do you think I should reverse it? |
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narnia wrote: Leo3, the RM latex is very nice, it's made by Latex International, which is stamped on the side, and also "Queen Monoblock Mold." Sorry no pictures, but it looks just like the photo on their website. What is Queen Monoblock Mold? I googled it, found nothing. Maybe it actually is a mold that they are using in LI facility (I read that online somewhere) for queensize instead of taking a twin and gluing. No glue seams right? That is good. Too bad they don't sell firmer latex at RM. Did it have the ILD stamped or stickered on the layer?I agree that 8" is probably enough, but I have a feeling I might end up buying buying another extra firm layer (2") because I like a very firm bed. Hmmm, pre-existing conditions? Well I'm in denial about my age, which I'm not gonna state here because I already told you my height and weight and that's enough personal info for today Actually I think being thin is what's causing my hip/shoulder pain. When I sleep on my side all night there's a good amount of pressure and not enough fat to cushion it. I ended up with bursitis in my shoulder which is taking forever to heal (oh I love forums where I get to whine! ), and that's what prompted me to start investigating alternative bedding.No fat doesn't help pressure points, LOL, that is a good excuse for putting on weight; I will have to remember that one LOL. I love to complain as well, I have bursitis in the one hip due to falling on a rock as a teenager when skiing. I have/had rotator cuff tendonosis. I finally got better, took 6 months and many months of physical therapy; injury due to exercise equipment in a gym. Never again gonna get in shape in a gym. No never tried a convoluted layer of latex, other than cheap PU foam; obviously that didn't work. I have tried memory foam. It goes on the bed, then it goes in the closet. What caused that shoulder bursitis? Exercise? Exercise isn't all it is cracked up to be Keep us updated on your mattress building. This message was modified Feb 19, 2010 by Leo3
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I don't know what Queen Monoblock Mold is, that phrase and Latex International appear in raised lettering on the side. I shouldn't have said stamped, the words are diecut in the latex. There are no stickers anywhere, and I don't see the ILD on the topper but maybe I just can't see it. When I put the next layer on, I'll take a closer look at it. There are no glue seams and I was surprised. I thought Queen sized always had a seam. I do wish they sold firmer latex at RM, their prices are really the best for what you get! At least you got bursitis while you were having fun, I got mine from sleeping! You're not supposed to get hurt from sleeping. I know someone else who got Tendonitis from working out. So I guess we can say gyms are bad for your health and fat is good! |
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narnia wrote: I don't know what Queen Monoblock Mold is, that phrase and Latex International appear in raised lettering on the side. I shouldn't have said stamped, the words are diecut in the latex. There are no stickers anywhere, and I don't see the ILD on the topper but maybe I just can't see it. When I put the next layer on, I'll take a closer look at it. There are no glue seams and I was surprised. I thought Queen sized always had a seam. I do wish they sold firmer latex at RM, their prices are really the best for what you get! At least you got bursitis while you were having fun, I got mine from sleeping! You're not supposed to get hurt from sleeping. I know someone else who got Tendonitis from working out. So I guess we can say gyms are bad for your health and fat is good! Yes I think you can get hurt from sleeping, I am afraid I am developing bursitis on my good side (hip) since I slept mostly on that side. I can see it could happen to your shoulder, by being smashed into the hard mattress. At least my latex did help my shoulder. I don't know what my hip needs, probably can't be helped. Whine, whine, whine. |
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narnia wrote: sandman, the Serta is more than 10 years old. It's starting to sag in the middle and I'm afraid it's not salvageable. Thanks for the info on the zippered covers. It would be nice if I could find something that expands, because I'm not sure whether I'll end up with an 8" or 10" mattress. If I buy the cover later on, I'll have to take all the latex off my bed to zip it in the case, and I'd sure like to avoid that!The memory foam pad I have is 2". I bought it about two years ago from Overstock.com and not sure what brand it is (it's the yellow-ish color foam). I have the memory foam under the 24ILD and cotton pad, do you think I should reverse it?
You probably only need to buy the botton 6" at this point, then try with your 2" 24ILD and maybe the memory foam on top. That might be too soft, so yeah you might try the memory foam below the 24 piece. If that is too soft you should try without the memory foam at all. You might end up wanting 1" more of something softer on top (19-24), but you can cross that bridge when you get to it. |
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Now I'm not sure if I want a 3" Medium Firm (32) and 3" XFirm (35-42) or two 3" XFirms. I have the 2" 24 topper and the 2" memory foam which I'm going to place on top, along with the cotton quilted pad. I like a firm bed, do you think 2 XFirms would be too hard? Should I order 1 XF first and see how it feels, then decide what to get for my last layer? Bah, I thought I had it all worked out and now I'm indecisive!  |
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Sorry it's in my original post above. One 3" Firm (29-34ILD) and one 3" XFirm (35-42ILD) was what I was thinking of originally, along with my 2" 24ILD topper as the top layer. I'm concerned the bed won't be firm enough for me, so I was thinking I might prefer two 3" XFirms. I called FoamSweetFoam and they suggested I start by ordering one 3" XFirm. I can then toss my mattress, and try the 3" XF and the 2" 24ILD w/the 2" memory foam pad and cotton pad I have on top of my boxspring for a while to see if it's too hard. If it is, then the final 3" piece should be a Firm. I do think I'll end up with the original configuration, Medium, Firm, + XFirm, but just want to be as sure as I can before placing an order. |
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The guy sounds pretty knowledgeable to suggest one thing at a time. But you might also try plywood over your foundation to firm it up more. Maybe I should follow my own advice, LOL. XFirm (35-42ILD) Okay now I get it. I have a sample (pretty good size of 32ILD Talalay) that I found felt just like my 24ILD. So maybe XFirm would be a better idea. I keep thinking 34ILD is not enough of a move up. But I have not tried it out, I am just like you in that respect. That is such a tough decision, I know I am there. I don't think anyone can tell you, as I haven't been able to find it out either. You are so much thinner than I, so I probably wouldn't do the same as you? Though I would go with the XFirm myself. Can they get you samples? That is my next step to see what 35-42 feels like. Yeah I know it is not the same as laying on it, but I can see if it really is much firmer. Also natural talalay (according to those that have it) is firmer than natural, so that is a factor. This message was modified Feb 20, 2010 by Leo3
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You know, before I decided to "go latex" I was going to buy a bed board. I think I'm going to trust my instinct - heckofa way to make a purchase like this - and go with the XFirm. I've yet to lie on a bed that was too hard! I guess I'm like your husband and could probably sleep on rocks. Deep breath, bite the bullet, fingers crossed...here I go! Thanks for your help and support! Will let you know how it works out. |
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narnia wrote: You know, before I decided to "go latex" I was going to buy a bed board. I think I'm going to trust my instinct - heckofa way to make a purchase like this - and go with the XFirm. I've yet to lie on a bed that was too hard! I guess I'm like your husband and could probably sleep on rocks. Deep breath, bite the bullet, fingers crossed...here I go! Thanks for your help and support! Will let you know how it works out. If you can sleep on rocks you won't have any problems with anything you order Keep us posted. You have to go with your instincts, what is there? You just don't know til you try. I just hope you have a big closet in case you have to store extra latex layers; just kidding. My closet has so many latex layers and memory foam I can't even get in there to get something to wear. But it does happen. If 34ILD is not firm enough then you had to go with the XFirm. You may even have to go firmer for the bottom layer. Who knows? Have no idea how firm it is, especially since it is natural, and not blended. Good luck. |