I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| I say hybrid because I artfully combined 4 different materials with VERY different properties. Traditional poly foam, egg-crate poly foam, memory foam and wool. After months of trial and error, I found my dream mattress.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Set DIRECTLY on the floor (for extra stability), I made an extra long twin mattress composed of the following: 12" thick poly foam with an IFD of 50 (very firm), topped by 4" of poly foam with an IFD of 35 (moderately firm) covered with 2" of 5.3lb/ft3 Sensus foam with an IFD of 15 (soft) topped off with 2" of egg-crate poly foam with an IFD of 35 (I found that by putting the traditional poly egg-crate OVER the memory foam undid that "squishy" feeling and and gave the mattress a nicely balanced responsiveness. I covered all that with a HEAVY weight (I think it weighs 60 lbs!) wool comforter (which gave it even more textural evenness), sealed it up with a clothed-vinyl mattress cover, added a fitted cotton mattress pad over THAT, added sheets and AHHHHHHHH. My perfect mattress. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| Layer 5 was given to me by my grandmother. It was made in the 1950's and is a wool comforter that is king sized. It weighs 60 pounds! I wouldn't know how much one like that would cost today or even where to get one! I folded it in half the long way (after sending it to the cleaner's lol) and placed it on top of the eggcrate foam. This had the most wonderful effect of binding everything together! The mattress before had been just a bunch of separate layers but this heavyweight comforter seemed to make the mattress more than the sum of its parts! It was the missing link. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| Layers 6 and 7 were simply to seal the mattress from the elements. Layer 6 was a cloth covered vinyl mattress cover. Layer 7 is an easy-wash cotton mattress pad. I love this bed and it frankly puts the BEST Tempurpedic to shame. All for around $700. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| Another nice thing is, if one layer wears out I only have to replace that one layer, instead of buying a whole mattress!!! For example, after about 4 years, I found there were the beginnings of some hammocking, it was the eggcrate layer in need of replacement, after that everything's great! |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| How long have you been using this? The one issue with poly foam is that it may not last over time. Higher grade, higher density should last longer. I replace my mattress cushions with a high grade poly foam and it has lost its firmness over the years. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
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After 6 years, The base layer (the most expensive layer) (LUX-HQ) is as if brand new. I can tell it's going to last for at least another decade or maybe even two. From time to time I disassemble the bed to inspect for signs of wear, I may have to replace the HD36-HQ in the next year or so, but at a cost of only $90. The Sensus layer has reach a steady-state softness with an ifd of about 12, now; it seems to be doing its job of acting as intermediary between poly and wool. About every 3 years I replace the eggcrate layer for around $25 (actually $50, but I only use half, I roll up the other half for the next time in plastic) All these foams are manufactured by Foamex Innovations, the world leader in foam technology. I think the thick, wool layer is protecting the poly foam, also, the mattress is tightly sealed with a cloth covered heavy gauge vinyl. This message was modified Feb 5, 2010 by Pete
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Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| You say you cover it with a cloth vinyl? It has vinyl in it? It seems like that would not breath and be too hot. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| Did I mention this whole mattress was about $700! Even if it only lasted for three years it would be worth it. Most beds you get at your basic furniture store give five years at best. And I bet for a whole lot more than $700! |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
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sandman wrote: You say you cover it with a cloth vinyl? It has vinyl in it? It seems like that would not breath and be too hot. Yes it's a cloth coated vinyl, as if cotton were sprayed onto it. The mattress doesn't breathe at all. (internally that is) That's by design, it prevents oxidation of the poly foam, a major contributing factor to poly foam degradation. I want it hermetically sealed and it just about is. The very top layers, (which are in reality not parts of the mattress) the thick cotton mattress pad and sheets provide all the "breathe-ability I need. It's extremely comfortable. This message was modified Feb 5, 2010 by Pete
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Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
| Good night. |
Re: I made my own "Hybrid" mattress. Has anyone else done the same? What works for you?
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Pete wrote: I say hybrid because I artfully combined 4 different materials with VERY different properties. Traditional poly foam, egg-crate poly foam, memory foam and wool. After months of trial and error, I found my dream mattress.---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Set DIRECTLY on the floor (for extra stability), I made an extra long twin mattress composed of the following: 12" thick poly foam with an IFD of 50 (very firm), topped by 4" of poly foam with an IFD of 35 (moderately firm) covered with 2" of 5.3lb/ft3 Sensus foam with an IFD of 15 (soft) topped off with 2" of egg-crate poly foam with an IFD of 35 (I found that by putting the traditional poly egg-crate OVER the memory foam undid that "squishy" feeling and and gave the mattress a nicely balanced responsiveness. I covered all that with a HEAVY weight (I think it weighs 60 lbs!) wool comforter (which gave it even more textural evenness), sealed it up with a clothed-vinyl mattress cover, added a fitted cotton mattress pad over THAT, added sheets and AHHHHHHHH. My perfect mattress. Pete, I"m very happy for you; if it works for you that's all that matters. My only caution to others is that poly foam tends to die much quicker than latex. It appears your base layer is lasting and I am surprised and happy to hear that. And you're right, having it in layers makes it so you don't have to replace the whole thing at once. My experience with HR foam - which is supposed to be rated for 10 years - is this: the 1" layer I was using seemed to have given out on me. I can't prove it and I admit I could even be wrong, but it sure seems that when I replaced that layer, all is good with my mattress again. And I only had that layer in use for about 2 years. As for Sensus, some like it but to me, that also seems to give no support. (Could be too that my Sensus from Overstock.com is not really Sensus! ) I'm not knocking your accomplishment, nor your foam, I'm just saying to others, "your mileage may vary" with the poly foam. Thanks for reporting this, though; if I ever do a pure foam mattress again I will consider some of your info in this post, in my configuration! p.s. Are you serious?! A 60lb wool topper? Where the heck did you get that?! And how much did you pay for it! Wow, that's a lotta wool! (Or does it have lead sewn into it?!)  This message was modified Feb 6, 2010 by jimsocal
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